Final Codefendant in 2022 Fells Point Non-Fatal Shooting Case Sentenced 

By Jade Tabbs [former] - July 20, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The getaway driver involved in a non-fatal shooting that occurred in Fells Point was sentenced during a hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Christopher L. Panos on July 19.

The defendant, Nathan Presberry, was facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and many other gun-related charges. 

 Presberry, 27, received an aggregate sentence of life suspending all but 40 years with credit for time served since his arrest and five years of supervised probation upon release.

During the sentencing argument from the state’s attorney, he urged that illegal gun possession in Baltimore City is unacceptable: “We need to put a stop to it.” The prosecutor then stated that Presberry made the choice to be the “get-to” and “getaway” driver during the incident and that he had the choice of simply saying no. 

There was no testimony from the victims at the trial nor any victim impact statements at the sentencing despite many failed attempts by the prosecution to get in contact with the individuals. 

Defense attorney John Deros expressed that he could not recall a case that he has tried where it did more harm than good for the victims to not show up before this one. Deros stated that he and Presberry would have benefited from the ability to cross-examine the witnesses because it is hard to get the full story from just surveillance footage.

When given the opportunity to speak, Presberry apologized for what occurred the night of the incident. He asserted that he wanted to maintain his innocence and wanted to get back home in a timely manner in order to start a career and be a “productive member of society.”

According to the statement of charges, officers responded to the 1700 block of  Thames Street for reports of a shooting at approximately 1:04 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2022. Upon arrival, one victim was being treated for gunshot wounds to his left knee and right thigh. This victim would later be transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

Surveillance footage from the Admiral’s Cup and other businesses on Thames Street along with witness testimony revealed that there had been an altercation within the Admiral’s Cup at 12:50 a.m. The two males were identified as Presberry’s codefendants, Joel Duncan and Luciano Bruno. Duncan and Bruno left the bar and ran west on Thames Street before returning and getting into a black 2019 Toyota RAV4, which had pulled out in front of the bar.

The driver was identified via surveillance footage as Presberry. Presberry made a U-turn, passed by the bar and parked on the west side of Broadway in order to still keep the bar in view.

As the victims began nearing the RAV4, Presberry pulled forward, and shots were fired at the victims from the rear driver’s side window and an open passenger door of the vehicle. As Presberry sped away, the front passenger, who was later identified as the final codefendant, Ronald Maranto, fell out of the vehicle and landed on the sidewalk.

In the process of falling, Maranto lost his wallet, which contained his Maryland identification, but continued to flee the scene on foot.

Back in January, codefendant Duncan was found guilty of 26 charges similar to Presberry’s. However, Bruno and Maranto were found not guilty of all charges in February.