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By
Estephany Sanchez
- September 11, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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On Sept. 10, during a homicide trial, defense counsel raised criticisms, against the police department’s months-long evidence processing time.
Derrell Goines, 36, is charged with first-degree murder and multiple firearm-related offenses in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Alvin Raymond Henry Jr. on March 2, 2024.
Prosecutors allege Goines shot and killed Henry during the late night near the 1400 block of E. Biddle Street. Investigators said they believe Goines fled the scene in a black 2017 Acura MDX that was later recovered and processed for evidence.
When officers arrived at the scene shortly before midnight, they encountered a crowd of approximately 20 civilians around the scene. A homicide detective testified that the situation was “chaotic”, noting Henry had already been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment by the time of his arrival.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the prosecution presented forensic evidence collected from the vehicle. A Baltimore Police Department (BPD) crime scene technician testified that she processed the Acura on Oct. 26, 2024, over eight months after the incident occurred. Evidence recovered from the vehicle included a book bag, a handgun, 10 cartridge casings, and vehicle registration documents.
The delay became a main point for the defense. Attorneys emphasized the eight-month delay and questioned why crime scene responders did not swab the recovered handgun for DNA. Arguing that the lapse in time undermined the reliability of the evidence.
The state, however, pointed to ballistic testing. A firearms expert explained that markings located on recovered ballistics produced consistent matches with one of the firearms recovered by investigators. Firearm evidence included two semi-automatic pistols, five cartridge casings, and two fired bullets.
To support their case further, prosecutors presented data collected from Goines’ cellphone, which placed him in the area of the incident at the time of its occurrence.
As the evidence was presented, the courtroom remained tense throughout the day. The number of attendees supporting Goines highly outnumbered the two attendees on the prosecution’s side.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays is presiding over the trial, which is scheduled to continue Sept. 11.