Pre-trial motions were argued July 9 in the case of Bryan Johnson, 20, who is charged with 30 counts in connection to a mass shooting that occurred at Edmondson Village Shopping Center over three years ago.
In the hearing, the state moved to prohibit Johnson’s defense attorney, Hunter Pruette, from mentioning that co-defendant Daaon Spears, 20, was acquitted of all charges in February. Prosecutors also moved to prohibit Pruette from emphasizing either defendant’s age, citing sympathy for the defendant as a concern The state also requested that Pruette refrain from mentioning that Spears was recently arrested on a firearm charge following his acquittal.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays denied the state’s motion to prohibit the defense from mentioning Spears, ruling the defense should be allowed to refer to the co-defendant by either name or as Johnson’s co-conspirator.
She did, however, grant the motion regarding mention of the defendant’s ages, and allowed counsel to mention Spears’ recent arrest on gun possession charges.
Pruette also submitted a motion related to DNA recovered from a magazine linked to Johnson. According to DNA analysts, Johnson likely matched one of the two mixtures found on the magazine.
Pruette contended that DNA samples comprise two different types of evidence, and argued the state should only be allowed to inform jurors that Johnson likely matched only one.
Judge Stewart Mays denied the motion, ruling that the state can refer to the evidence as they believe fit.
Johnson is charged in a shooting that occurred Jan 4. 2023 at the Edmondson Village Shopping Center, on the 4400 block of Edmondson Avenue. The shooting resulted in the death of Deanta Dorsey, 16, and left four students injured.
Johnson is expected to determine whether or not to accept a plea deal on July 9.
