Homicide Defendant's Prints Linked to Firearm, Says Prosecutor

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On March 31, the prosecution in the murder case of 22-year-old Derrien Gamble claimed that video surveillance footage, cellular location data, and fingerprint analysis link Gamble to the February 2023 murder of Tyree Bell, 19.

Gamble was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, firearm use felony violent crime, and two counts of firearm possession with felony conviction for the homicide, which occurred near the One Stop Grocery located in the 2900 block of E. Preston Street.

Upon arrival, detectives located Bell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his body and transported him to John Hopkins Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Charging documents indicate that BPD recovered a loaded AK-47 assault rifle under Bell’s body, along with 14 9mm casings, three bullets, one metal fragment, Bell’s clothing and shoes , two suspected bags of marijuana, a cellphone and a pool of blood. Inside the grocery store, investigators found three more 9mm casings and additional blood evidence.

CCTV footage ostensibly showed Bell inside the grocery store preparing to leave, while three Black males dressed in all black stood outside the door. One of them was later identified as Gamble.

During closing arguments, the prosecution reiterated the evidence presented to the jury, first citing that fingerprints found on a firearm linked to the murder closely matched Gamble’s.

The prosecution also presented a video in which the defendant allegedly discussed the murder just hours after it occurred.

Defense attorney James Sweeting III called the case a failure, arguing that the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Gamble committed the crime, nor that the gun linked his client to the murder.

Furthermore, Sweeting implored the jury to rely on their notes and witness testimony rather than judging this case based on their own biases.

Baltimore City Circuit Judge Levi S. Zaslow presided over the hearing.

Homicide Defendant’s Prints Linked to Firearm, Says Prosecutor