Judge Questions Why Previous Sentences Didn’t Work for Non-Fatal Shooter

By Shiloh Eschbach [former] - November 22, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On Nov. 21, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby sentenced an attempted murder defendant after expressing concern that his previous experiences at Backbone Mountain Youth Center and in prison did not act as deterrents.

In a June trial, a jury found 24-year-old Dreshawn Scott guilty of attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, firearm use in felony violent crime, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person and firearm possession with a felony conviction.

After hearing from defense attorney Augustine Okeke and the prosecution, Judge Ausby reflected that Scott’s case was concerning because he was on parole when the non-fatal shooting occurred and because the shooting put many bystanders in danger as well.

When Judge Ausby asked about his experience at Backbone Mountain Youth Center, a juvenile detention facility in Garrett County, Scott said that it wasn’t helpful because supervisors only watched the inmates but didn’t teach them anything.

Judge Ausby sentenced Scott to 40 years, suspending all but 30 years, for attempted first-degree murder to run concurrently with 15 years for firearm use in a felony violent crime.

Additionally Scott received a suspended three year sentence for carrying a loaded handgun on his person and for carrying a handgun on his person, a suspended five year sentence for reckless endangerment and a five year suspended sentence for firearm possession with a felony conviction.

When offered a chance to speak to the court, Scott said he knew that he couldn’t “take it back,” but offered an apology. 

Though the victim’s family members were present they did not make an impact statement.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on June 15, 2022 on the 4100 block of Frederick Avenue an argument led to a shootout in which Scott also sustained a bullet wound.

The victim never cooperated with the prosecution.