During a hearing for 34-year-old Rick’Kell Johnson, Baltimore City Circuit Court Senior Judge Emmanuel Brown told the victim, “In my 25 years, I have never heard a victim impact statement like that.”
Johnson was charged with first-degree assault after drunkenly threatening a bystander with a gun. According to charging documents, Johnson allegedly fired a shot into the air near the intersection of Marshall and E. Barney streets on March 26 before approaching a man, the victim, cleaning his vehicle.
Johnson demanded the victim’s wallet while holding a handgun, but claimed he was joking when the victim said he only had his cellphone. He then handed the handgun to the victim and told the victim to shoot him if he was a “real man.”
Johnson then took back the gun and fired another shot toward the opposing brick wall before the victim was able to remove the gun’s magazine and contact police. No physical injuries occurred.
Johnson took a plea deal for 15 years, suspending all but three. However Judge Brown was hesitant as to whether the state proposed three years of probation was enough.
During his victim impact statement, the victim shared how he had lasting trauma that led to panic attacks, and how he was now “terrified” of the place he once “loved.” The victim said that the constant fear and anxiety from the assault hindered his ability to work, causing him to lose his job as well.
“I don’t remember who I was before [the assault],” the victim told Judge Brown.
Johnson apologized to the victim during his allocution. He said he didn’t grow up with “anyone by his side”, and he was happy “justice was being served.” Johnson shared that the alcohol rehabilitation program in prison “saved his life,” and that he had learned the consequences of his actions.
After deliberation, Judge Brown sentenced Johnson to five years of probation instead of the proposed three. Judge Brown stated the situation “raised concerns on whether Johnson could be a law abiding citizen,” and he hoped the five years probation will set him on “the right track.”
