Defense Questions Patrol Officers Credibility

By Alyssia Davis [former] - July 14, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A murder trial over a non-fatal shooting in an apartment complex began on July 14 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.

Tionn Casey, 42, is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm during a violent crime, having a handgun on his person, and discharging firearms in connection to an incident on Aug. 13, 2021. 

The prosecutor began opening statements by stating that on Aug. 13, 2021, the defendant was hot, he called the apartment manager pertaining to his air conditioner to which a maintenance worker showed up to fix it. Prior to the incident the maintenance worker went to the defendant’s home several times to find out the air conditioning works fine.

After informing the defendant that there was nothing wrong with his unit, the defendant yelled “Get the f**k out my apartment”. While his back was turned, the maintenance worker realized he was shot between his back and below his buttocks. 

The victim was able to leave the apartment screaming he’s been shot when his co-workers took him to the hospital. The victim was shot three times.

Casey did not attempt to kill the victim, said defense counsel Brandon Taylor during opening statements. “He thought what he did was reasonable and necessary under the circumstances.”

The defendant is a 40-year-old disabled man who suffers from lung disease.

The defendant never had an issue with the apartment beforehand. But this is not the first incident between the defendant and the victim. The first incident between the two dates back so the early 2000s, said Taylor. 

Interactions between the two became hostile which led to the defendant telling the victim to leave his home and to back out his face. Allegedly the victim came to the defendant’s house unexpectedly on the day of the incident. The victim kept telling the defendant nothing was wrong with his A.C. He also treated the defendant terribly, Taylor said.  

The defendant allegedly told the victim to leave twice before the shooting occurred.

Taylor said the victim jumped at the defendant, which led to the defendant getting his gun from under his bed. 

Taylor asked that the jurors find his client not guilty of all charges. 

A patrol officer testified that he was called to the 1500 block of 32nd Street for a shooting, but he did not enter the apartment until enough officers arrived. Upon entering the apartment, the defendant was seen sitting on his bed complying with the police. 

The prosecutor played the officer’s body camera footage of police entering and arresting the defendant for the jurors. When asked about the defendant’s demeanor when cops were present, the officer said the defendant was calm. 

Prior to entering the apartment, the officer testified that he knew the defendant was still armed based on what the victim told him.

Taylor questioned how the officer knew that his client was still armed if he had not entered the apartment. The officer said he did not actually know if the defendant had a weapon. 

The officer also said that prior to seeing and speaking with the defendant, he was already labeled a suspect. 

A detective on the case testified that he received a call for a shooting on East 32nd Street. Upon arriving, he testified that he canvassed the area for witnesses and cameras. 

The detective said he interviewed two witnesses and completed a victim check. He also obtained an arrest warrant as well as a search and seizure warrant for the apartment.

The detective said that he didn’t suspect the defendant was the shooter until after his investigation.

The handgun used in the shooting was described as a silver revolver, which was under the defendant’s pillow on his bed. There were three shell casings and three live rounds that belonged in the barrel of the revolver. 

There were no signs of an altercation nor were there any injuries on the defendant. The detective testified that he interacted with the defendant for about 10 mins. 

Taylor informed the court that his client has a license to possess a firearm.

The detective said he did not speak to any person who saw the incident. There were no actual witnesses, said the detective. 

Casey’s trial is scheduled to continue on July 15.