Opening statements and testimony was presented June 25 in Baltimore City Circuit Court during a co-defendant homicide trial before Judge Charles H. Dorsey III.
Darius Bell, 33 and Joseph Hubbard, 35, are facing several charges, including first-degree murder and other firearm counts after the alleged fatal shooting of 30-year-old Christopher Banks on the 5400 block of Park Heights Avenue.
On March 15, 2025, Bell and Hubbard reportedly got into an argument in a corner store with Banks that turned physical. According to Bell’s reported statement, two shots went off at close range and one hit Banks fatally in the chest.
In their opening statements, the prosecutor claims that Banks “complied with everything the defendants demanded of him, but still lost his life.” Even armed with a gun, knife and taser, Banks did not use them against Bell or Hubbard. After being followed to the crime scene, Banks “chose peace, and they chose violence.”
Bell’s defense attorney, Donald Wright, claimed that Banks was not known in the area and was sitting in the shop antagonizing customers. Due to Banks being fully armed Hubbard and Bell attempted to disarm him, and the interaction turned physical.
Hubbard’s defense attorney, Jason Ott, reiterated Wright’s claim, stating that Banks was shot with his own firearm. After fighting over the gun, Ott said two shots were accidentally fired at close range and Banks was struck in the chest. Witness testimony apparently supports Otts’ claim stating, “the right hand [where Banks was holding the gun] is more feasible to cause Banks’ death.”
However, surveillance footage shown in court appears to contradict the defense’s claim of Banks harassing customers. In the convenience store video, Banks is behaving calmly while other customers are in the store. In the footage, individuals identified as Hubbard and Bell approach Banks, blocking him in. Banks is then struck twice in the head by another assailant and appears trapped.
Shortly after, an item wrapped in a towel is handed to one of the defendants, possibly the murder weapon. Finally, Banks is shown slumped over before toppling over on his side, left for dead. Both alleged assailants were later apprehended at Hubbard’s residence.
Other testimony allegedly identified Hubbard numerous times at the scene of the crime, though not Bell.
The trial will continue on June 26.
