On Sept. 2, opening statements were presented before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul Cucuzzella in the trial of 25-year-old Bernard Crawford regarding a hair braiding appointment that turned into a physical altercation and ultimately a shooting.
Crawford is charged with first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony crime, reckless endangerment, and other related charges in connection to a Feb. 9 incident.
Charging documents stated that officers responded to a shooting and physical altercation inside of a residence on the 3700 block of St. Victor Street. The defendant had allegedly gone with his girlfriend to the location, which is the home of her ex-boyfriend, to braid the hair of individuals who resided there.
Eventually, the ex-boyfriend approached the defendant and his girlfriend and a verbal argument ensued. The defendant, Crawford, jumped into the argument to defend his girlfriend, resulting in a physical dispute with the ex-boyfriend. Crawford is then accused of firing a single handgun shot that went into the kitchen ceiling before leaving the residence with his girlfriend prior to police arriving at the scene.
During opening arguments, the prosecutor painted a picture of the incident and walked the jury through the evidence they can expect to see at trial, including witness testimonies from the ex-boyfriend and his mother who called the police.
The state noted that the defendant “intended to frighten” his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend by discharging the firearm. She argued his behavior was “reckless and dangerous”, highlighting that two children, aged four and ten, were in the home at the time. The state also mentioned how “it is not okay to shoot someone in front of their mother in their own home”, as Crawford had allegedly discharged the firearm while the mother of the ex-boyfriend was watching.
She argued the defendant threatened someone in their own home and discharged a firearm putting many individuals in danger.
Defense attorney Stephen Tully told jurors to “put away any prejudices or considerations they have” and judge solely on the facts.
He mentioned that a fight broke out between the ex-boyfriend and one of his brothers. As a result police responded for what Tully called “out of control” behavior. The defense highlighted the actions of the ex-boyfriend involved, stating that he was intoxicated and acted violently.
The three day trial is expected to last through the week.
