The murder trial of Jermaine Reed, 26, began on Sept. 11 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Hope Tipton on the third attempt. The proceeding was originally scheduled for Sept. 8, but was postponed for other judicial matters.
Reed is charged with first-degree murder and several firearms charges for his alleged involvement in the killing of Dwaun Hawkins, 43, on Dec.18, 2025.
According to court documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to reports of a shooting at a home on the 2400 block of Elsinore Avenue, where they discovered Hawkins lying on the living room floor suffering from multiple gunshot wounds which proved mortal.
Later, through a photo line up, witnesses from the scene were able to identify Reed as a suspect. BPD officers say they recovered eight .38 caliber shell casings and mail addressed to Reed from the scene.
During opening arguments, according to the prosecutors, Reed allegedly shot Hawkins ten times as a result of a long standing grudge even though there was no immediate motive. The prosecutor said they would play a video of Reed confessing to the crime.
However, defense attorney William Porter countered that Hawkins was trying to protect his aunt who was in an on-and-off romantic toxic relationship with Hawkins.
In justifying his client’s actions, Porter also said, “every killing is not criminal. There are killings that are justified.” Porter claimed that Hawkins was “erratic, threatening and scary” because at the time he allegedly was high on oxycodone, methamphetamines and MDMA also known as ecstasy.
In June, Reed rejected a plea offer of life suspending all but 60 years.
Reed’s trial is expected to last four days.
