Judge Says Victim ‘Never Had a Chance’ During Murder Defendant’s Sentencing

By Baltimore Witness Staff - October 19, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

“In terms of camera technology, it was the closest view of any murder we have seen in this courtroom,” said Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie Hong on Oct. 19 during a sentencing hearing for a convicted homicide defendant.

In April, Andre Preston was found guilty of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, and use of a firearm in a felony violent crime in connection with an incident that occurred on May 12, 2021. Preston was initially charged with first-degree murder.

According to charging documents, Preston was arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Gary Wilson, who was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 3000 block of Normount Court.

A cousin of the victim who was present at the hearing asked for the maximum sentence for the defendant.

“It really has been a lot to handle,” detailed the cousin. “To [the defendant], he was nothing; to us, he was everything.”

Judge Hong said, based on the videos shown during the trial, “Mr. Wilson never had a chance.”

She sentenced Preston to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder and a consecutive 20 years in prison, the first five without parole, for the use of a firearm in a felony violent crime. In addition, Preston was given 15 years in prison, the first five without parole, to run consecutively to the first two charges. The defendant was given a total of 75 years in prison, the first ten without the possibility of parole.

Preston is represented by defense attorney John Cox.