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By
Baltimore Witness Staff
- September 12, 2025
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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A jury found 25-year-old Joseph Linwood Edwards not guilty of murder, assault and reckless endangerment on Sept. 9.
Edwards was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a violent crime, reckless endangerment, and four more firearm-related violations in connection to a shooting that occurred April 23, 2024, on the 3100 block of W. North Avenue. The incident left a 26-year-old male victim critically wounded with a gunshot to the head.
Even though acquitted on his murder and assault charges, Edwards was found guilty for discharging a gun, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on. is person and illegally possessing ammunition. A verdict was not reached for firearm use during a felony violent crime.
During closing statements, Daniel P. Mooney, Edwards’ defense attorney argued that the defendant had no intention to shoot the victim, and instead shot in an attempt to protect himself after fearing for his life.
Mooney supported his self-defense claims with footage that allegedly showed the victim starting an argument with Edwards that quickly became heated, resulting in the altercation.
“Joseph Edwards is innocent,” Mooney claimed. “The state has failed to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that Edwards did not act in self-defense.”
However, the prosecution urged the jury to reference the victim’s medical records to understand how detrimental the gunshot wound to the head could have been. The prosecutor noted the victim almost “spoke his last words and took his last steps because the defendant tried to end his life.”
Video surveillance footage allegedly captured the violent crime, as well as the victim lying on the ground following the attack.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Hope Tipton presided over the trial.