Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to Life In Prison, Suspending 50 Years

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On Dec. 10, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn sentenced a 19-year-old homicide defendant to life in prison, suspending all but 50 years.

William Holloman was charged and found guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, conspiracy of firearm use in a felony or violent crime, and carrying a handgun on his person in connection to the murder of 31-year-old Efraim Gordon on May 3, 2021. The incident occurred on the 3700 block of Fords Lane.

The jury found Holloman guilty of most charges. Holloman was identified as one of three men who took Gordon’s car, alongside co-defendants Omarion Anderson and Rasheed Morris.

The prosecution said that Holloman has been involved in previous crimes, mainly carjacking. He stated that Holloman deserves punishment for flaunting the law.

Defense attorney Roya Hanna stated that no one put the firearm in Holloman’s hand and that he was not the person that murdered Gordon.

She claimed that Holloman was being punished for being involved in the incident at 16 when his brain had not yet fully developed.

Hanna summoned several witnesses who spoke on Holloman’s behalf and said that he deserved a second chance.

Holloman became emotional and apologized to Gordon’s family, but maintained that he did not murder Gordon. He told the jury that he just wanted to watch his daughter grow up.

Members of Gordon’s family were present during the sentencing and demanded justice for his murder.

Even if Holloman did not commit murder, said Judge Phinn, his group’s actions resulted in one.

Holloman will also serve 40 years for armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, concurrent with his first-degree murder sentence.

For firearm use in a felony or violent crime and conspiracy of firearm use in a felony or violent crime, Holloman will serve 20 years concurrent with his first-degree murder sentence.

For carrying a handgun on his person, Holloman will serve three years concurrent with five years of supervised probation.