‘If He Couldn’t Have Her, No One Could,’ Prosecutor Says During Opening Statements in Murder Trial 

By Hannah Rainer [former] - September 20, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 8, during opening statements, counsel addressed issues concerning evidence presented in a trial for the murder of Linique Green. 

Forrell Isaac, 39, who was represented by Todd Oppenheim, is charged with first-degree murder. The incident occurred on Sept. 12, 2021, on the 1100 block of N. Milton Avenue. Isaac was reported to have stabbed Green nine times, resulting in her death at the scene. Isaac was also charged with second-degree murder, having been identified as a suspect based on his rocky relationship with Green prior to the fatal stabbing.

During Oppenheim’s opening statement, he was sympathetic with the jury and the victim’s family, while also maintaining the innocence of the defendant. However, he defended his client on the basis of the lack of DNA evidence and the murder weapon never being located. Oppenheim also argued that all the evidence used by the prosecution was entirely circumstantial.

“Miss Green was a victim, however, she was not Forrell Isaac’s victim,” Oppenheim stated.

While the defense sought to poke holes in the nature of the prosecution’s evidence, the prosecution was focused on showcasing the large amount of evidence they did have against the defendant.  

The prosecution utilized text exchanges between Green, 29, and the defendant to illustrate guilt. Their focus was on the contentious relationship between Isaac and Green, which they alleged was the motive for the crime. The evidence used by the prosecution included crime scene photos, police tapes and cell phone data. Together, it painted a tense build-up to the stabbing.  

“If he couldn’t have her, no one could,” the prosecution said.

According to CBS News Baltimore, on Sept. 12, 2021, Isaac was reported to have stabbed Green nine times, resulting in her death at the scene. Isaac was also charged with second-degree murder, having been identified as a suspect based on his rocky relationship with Green prior to the fatal stabbing.

Initially, the trial was delayed by a day due to a motions hearing after the defense filed an objection regarding one of prosecution’s experts.

On the morning of opening statements, the trial was then pushed back another two hours.  Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Myshala E. Middleton presided over the case.