Hung Jury Leads to Mistrial in 2022 Gretna Court Double-Shooting Case

By Racquel Bazos [former] - July 25, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of Joel Ugah for the murder of Brittany Keyser and the attempted murder of her boyfriend before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie Hong.

On July 21, the assistant state’s attorney assigned to the case and the defense attorney, Lawrence Rosenberg, gave their closing arguments. A mistrial was declared on July 24.

According to the assistant state’s attorney, a fight occurred early in the morning of April 15, 2022, when Keysey allegedly blocked the defendant from getting into his car and driving away from the 800 block of Gretna Court. Surveillance footage showed Keyser and the defendant exchanging blows before the shooting.

The other victim was transported to Shock Trauma, where he recovered from his injuries. He is the father of Keyser’s children and called her his best friend.

The prosecutor pointed to Ugah’s clothing and the rental car plates matching those seen in surveillance footage of the incident, as well as calls Ugah placed from jail saying he would need a “good lawyer” and asking his brother to break into his apartment.

Rosenberg said there were “numerous reasonable doubts” to be had about the case, such as the lack of forensic analysis conducted on several pieces of evidence, like hair, a pair of Crocs and shell casings found at the scene. He also said that even though Baltimore Police Department officers searched Ugah’s home and car, they did not find the gun used in the shooting.

Regarding the jail calls, he said anyone facing the same charges would need a good lawyer and that shouldn’t point to Ugah’s guilt.