Homicide Defendant in Gang-Related Killing Denied Bail

By Connor Driscoll [former] - July 12, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting |

A 25-year-old man accused of a gang-related killing in June was denied pretrial release on bail during a Baltimore City Circuit Court hearing on July 12. 

The hearing took place before Judge Anthony F. Vittoria, who also presided over the bail review for a defendant held in connection to a non-fatal shooting.

Baltimore resident Justin Westbrook is accused of killing a rival gang member in a shooting on June 10, 2020, on the 1800 block of W. North Avenue. 

The victim was identified as 36-year-old Damon Bailey, according to Fox Baltimore.

The prosecution alleged that following an “exchange of words” with the victim, Westbrook retrieved a firearm, returned to the neighborhood, and shot Bailey 10 times. According to the prosecutor, video footage captured Westbrook and two co-defendants running away from the area.

The prosecutor said witnesses could testify in court that Westbrook was the shooter, which could make them a target. Because of this threat, as well as the violent nature of the offense, the prosecutor argued that bail should be denied.

On the other hand, Westbrook’s defense attorney, James Rhodes, argued that because of his client’s substantial connection to Baltimore, he posed no flight risk. In addition, Rhodes said that any threat to witnesses was merely speculative and that the video evidence only captured his client running from the area, not the actual shooting itself. 

Judge Vittoria was unswayed and ruled that Westbrook will await trial in jail. 

Westbrook is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 8.  

Later during Monday’s bail review hearing, Judge Vittoria reached the opposite conclusion in the case of a defendant being held in connection to a non-fatal shooting in May. 

Prosecutors allege that Baltimore resident Keisha Clark set up her ex-boyfriend to be shot by her cousin in the May 5 shooting, which occurred on the 700 block of North Paca Street at around 2 p.m.

Clark, 41, is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. She is also charged with 10 gun, robbery, and conspiracy-related offenses.

Clark had set up a meeting with her ex-boyfriend in order to discuss debt he owed her, according to the prosecutor. Her cousin accompanied her, allegedly armed with a pistol she had given him, which police say she admitted to doing.

A shooting ensued and the victim was shot in the leg and the arm. 

On Monday, Clark’s defense attorney, Staci Pipkin, pointed out that Clark’s boyfriend had a past history of domestic abuse towards her. Additionally, according to Pipkin, during separate proceedings in Baltimore County, where her boyfriend is being held on criminal charges, the victim said that Clark “had nothing to do with the shooting.”

Pipkin also said that Clark had no criminal history and posed no flight risk, given that her son and mother, who rely on her, are located in Baltimore. 

However, the prosecution said that there was video evidence of her car in the area during the time of the shooting and that the gravity of the crimes warranted a denial of bail. 

Judge Vittoria disagreed and granted Clark bail and home confinement. 

Clark’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 8, when she will be arraigned.