Judge Sentences Final Co-Defendant of 2019 McElderry Street Murder Case

By Shiloh Eschbach [former] - October 12, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 12, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Middleton sentenced one of the four co-defendants charged with the murder of 21-year-old Donnell Brockington almost four years ago on Nov. 13, 2019.

William Thornton, 30, was found guilty of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, possession of a handgun in a vehicle on a public road, possession of an assault weapon, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime on Dec. 6, 2022. 

After hearing from all the parties, Judge Middleton sentenced Thornton to life for first-degree murder, a concurrent life sentence for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and a consecutive sentence of 18 years, the first five without the possibility of parole, for both firearm use in a felony violent crime and possession of a handgun in a vehicle on a public road. 

Thornton must also serve three years for possession of an assault weapon, five years without parole for illegal possession of a regulated firearm and 18 years for conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, all of which are concurrent to the 18 year sentence for firearm use in a felony violent crime.

In a teary statement to the court, Brockington’s mother explained how the birth of her son saved her and how his brutal murder has shaped her life.

Thornton, who was represented by John Cox, was several years older than his co-defendants, Jerry Shamar, Anthony Clark and Donald Wright, when the shooting occurred, which both the prosecution and judge mentioned during the sentencing. 

While Judge Middleton indicated that she can’t know if Thornton had an negative influence on his younger peers, the verdicts and sentences for Thornton were far harsher than for his co-defendants.

Brockington was killed in an incident on the 2700 block of McElderry Street. According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, video evidence showed six individuals approach Brockington and at least one of them shoot and kill him. He was shot 12 times.

 After Baltimore Police Department officers arrived to investigate the scene, they noticed the defendant and five others in a car nearby and gave chase along with a SWAT team. The defendant, who was driving at the time, crashed the car into a tree at the intersection of Ashland and Caroline Street. Two suspects successfully fled on foot, while the other four were arrested. Police recovered three firearms and marijuanafrom the vehicles.