‘Details Matter,’ Says Defense Counsel in North Kenwood Avenue Trial’s Closing Arguments

By Alyssia Davis [former] - June 2, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Jurors reached a verdict of not guilty on all counts against a Baltimore man on trial for first-degree attempted murder before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert Taylor.  

Isiah Jewel, 30, was charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person, discharging firearms, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, and reckless endangerment in connection to a shooting on the 200 block of North Kenwood Avenue on July 7, 2022.

In closing arguments, defense counsel Hunter Pruette for the attempted murder defendant said the primary detective in the case did not thoroughly complete his investigation on May 30.

“They didn’t close the loops or put the puzzle pieces together,” Pruette said, explaining that the detective on the case didn’t do his job.  

According to the detective’s testimony, 17 bullet casings were allegedly fired, but those casings were never found on the scene. 

Shell casings, as well as the alleged gun the victim used, were never tested, Pruette said. 

There were also several witnesses on the scene that the detective didn’t speak with because he said, “it wasn’t his job.” There was also surveillance footage that the detective believed to be irrelevant to the case. 

No footage was pulled to get the license plate number of the Subaru found at the scene, Pruette said. It was unclear if that car belonged to the defendant or the victim. 

“Details matter,” Pruette said. 

In a counter-argument, the prosecutor said, “The defendant, on July 7, 2022, attempted to kill the victim.”

During the prosecutor’s argument, he played video footage of the defendant shooting at the victim and the victim firing shots back. 

Surveillance footage showed two individuals exiting a Subaru, one of which was the defendant who began shooting at the victim. The defendant was seen running through Pulaski Street on surveillance footage. 

The prosecutor suggested that the defendant initiated the shooting while the victim fired back as a form of self-defense.

“Jewel was firing the gun like he didn’t care. He was looking to kill the victim. When you discharge a gun at someone you intend to kill them,” the prosecutor said.