GPS Data Key in 2021 Murder Trial

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

Trial began for a 27-year-old homicide defendant accused of killing a man and stealing his rental car in Baltimore City Circuit Court Aug. 8.

Ameer Gittens is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime and firearm possession with a felony conviction for the Halloween 2021 murder of 20-year-old Antwan Andrews.

The prosecutor outlined the incident: Andrews and his girlfriend were in their car on the 3500 block of Leeds Street when two shooters approached the vehicle and told Andrews’ girlfriend to run.

The suspects then allegedly shot Andrews and drove off in his rented Chevrolet Malibu. The prosecution plans to build her case on GPS data from Gittens’ cell phone, Gittens’ Gmail account and the location tracker on the rental car to prove Gittens was one of the shooters. The second shooter has not been identified.

Defense attorney James Sweeting III told jurors to keep an open mind and to pay attention to conflicts in the evidence and missing evidence. He cast doubt there was enough evidence to identify his client as the shooter since the eyewitness ran off quickly after seeing the two assailants.

Testimony began Aug. 8 before Judge Yolanda A. Tanner.