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By
Kristen Wheeler
- March 31, 2025
Attempted Murder
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Closing arguments over who was responsible for a policeman’s killing grew heated in Dion Thompson‘s murder trial on March 31 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays
“All hands on deck,” said defense attorney Robert A. Cohen. “This is not your typical murder investigation.”
Thompson, 25, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, and firearm possession with a prior felony conviction in connection to the shooting and killing off-duty DC Metropolitan Police sergeant Tony Mason Jr., 40, on Nov. 4, 2017. The incident, which occurred in the 2800 block of Elgin Avenue, left Mason’s girlfriend injured.
The prosecution stated that Thomspon grew paranoid when he saw Mason and his girlfriend relaxing in a parking lot.
“Because of all the crooked things I’m doing, I’m getting paranoid,” Thompson said in a police interview.
According to charging documents, Thompson picked up two other men in his vehicle and pulled up next to Mason and his girlfriend. One of them yelled, “Yo!” and shots were allegedly fired before the victims could respond.
Cohen accused a prosecution witness of lying that Thompson was the shooter in the incident.
“He wants to convince you that it was Thompson who did it,” Cohen told the jury, “We learned that he makes a living by lying to others.”
The prosecution told the jury that Cohen’s defense seemed indecisive as to whether the witness was lying or falsely confessing.
“Which one is it?” the prosecution said. “Pick up a defense.”
Cohen attempted to explain that there might be more to the case it appears.
“Dumb. Dumb analogy,” the prosecution responded. “He’s trying to distract you. Don’t let it work.”
He urged the jury to find Thompson guilty and hold him accountable.
“Mr. Mason was gunned down for absolutely no reason,” he said. “He didn’t deserve this.”