The jury trial of a 41-year-old man accused of homicide, robbery and firearm charges concluded after closing arguments on Feb. 2.
Joseph Coates, a Severn man, is accused in a Dec. 15, 2023 murder that occurred on the 1800 block of Aiken Street. His former co-defendant, 51-year-old Joseph Walker, was found guilty last July of second-degree murdr, armed robbery and firearm charges.
Charging documents state that on that day of the incident police responded to a ShotSpotter notification on Aiken Street, where they found Marvin Jackson, 26, suffering from a gunshot wound to his neck. Jackson was rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Surveillance footage showed Walker allegedly shooting Jackson with a gun equipped with a laser before rifling through his pockets. Coates was reportedly seen picking up an unidentified object near his body.
Earlier, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Dana Middleton ruled whether to admit a 22-minute jail call made by Coates as evidence.
“It’s hearsay with hearsay within hearsay,” defense attorney Jerry Rodriguez responded. Much of the information relayed in the calls was seemingly mundane, including a fast food order. However, the prosecution the material showed consciousness of guilt and attempted witness intimidation.
The judge allowed a redacted version of the phone call for presentation to the jury after three days of debate.
Following closing arguments, the case went to the jury.
