Elderly Man Serving Life for Murdering Wife Represents Himself in Motion for Retrial

By Grace Kemper [former] - April 14, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

“My trial was not fair. The pretrial motions were not fair,” says a homicide defendant as he represents himself in a motion for a retrial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Middleton on April 14. 

Carl Emerson-Bey, 68, was sentenced to life in prison on Oct. 31, 2018, for allegedly murdering Jennie Emerson-Bey, his estranged wife, on Aug. 31, 2004, when she arrived home from work.

Emerson-Bey tells the judge that on May 27, 2009, he sent a letter requesting his defense attorney be discharged, as he wanted to represent himself, but she was not discharged.

The defendant says his appearance was waived in multiple court hearings that he did not know about and would not agree to. 

Some of the witnesses, including the mobile crime scene technician, Emerson-Bey said, “had no business testifying” and gave false statements. 

The prosecutor followed up, saying that the evidence Emerson-Bey is questioning held little to no weight in the Judge’s decision. There is no new evidence being presented. 

Judge Middleton says she would consider the defendant’s motion and file a written opinion when she decides. 

According to court documents, Jennie was shot multiple times by someone in her house when she returned home after work about midnight on Aug. 30, 2004. Emerson-Bey had lived in the home with her until the previous July, when they separated due to his infidelity. 

Although the home had a security alarm that was activated when the victim had left for work, the alarm did not sound when she returned home after work. There was no indication that she deactivated the alarm when she entered the premises. There was also no evidence of a break-in. 

According to Maryland’s Judiciary website, Emerson-Bey’s next hearing has not yet been determined.