Judge Sentences Man to Life Plus 10-Years in Prison for Murder

By Jaela Fowler [former] - June 30, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On June 30, Jerome Collier, a convicted murderer, was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard.  

Collier was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and illegal possession of a regulated firearm on April 4 in relation to the death of Dana Brown in 2019. Collier, alongside his co-defendant Kadeem Booker, fatally shot 26-year-old Brown in October 2019 on the 1800 block of Westwood Avenue. Booker pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact for first-degree murder on June 8. He received probation after conviction.

Collier’s defense attorney Isabel Lipman told Judge Howard that Collier has been diagnosed with depression and has been through many traumatic experiences throughout his life while living in Baltimore city. 

However, Judge Howard said it’s hard to sympathize with someone who has a record of gun offenses. “If you have an illegal gun, you are going to prison,” he said, hoping the case sets an example to others to stop the killings.  

Judge Howard sentenced Collier to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, with a consecutive 10 years, the first 5 years without parole, for use of a firearm during a violent crime as well as five additional years for illegal possession of a regulated firearm. The sentences are set to run concurrently. 

During the hearing, Collier apologized to the victim’s family for his involvement in Brown’s death while saying that he did not shoot the victim.  

The family told Baltimore Witness that it has been a long three years and the burden has been lifted off their shoulders. “The detectives and officers were very helpful and supportive during this difficult time and we’re very grateful for that.”