Jury Acquits Man Accused of 2021 Fatal Shooting on Greenmount Avenue

By Andrew Michaels - May 19, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

At the close of trial on May 17, the prosecution in the case of Derrick Creek told jurors that the case rests solely on the testimony of John Wilford Jr.’s friend, who was at the scene when the 45-year-old victim was shot and killed in October 2021.

Creek, 38, was found not guilty of all charges a day after closing arguments before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul Alpert.

The victim’s friend was hanging out with friends at his friend’s barbershop on the 1000 block of Greenmount Avenue and eventually met up with Wilford. The victim became upset when Creek threw the dice, which started a physical altercation. Then, Creek took out a gun.

During his testimony, the victim’s friend said he and Wilford left and were walking back to Wilford’s vehicle when Creek initiated another argument. Wilford punched Creek, who took out a revolver and shot the victim once in the head.

A Baltimore Police detective was already in the area responding to a call about loud music when Wilford’s friend flagged him down.

“[The witness] testified that he knew Derrick Creek for years. He frequented that block,” the prosecutor said.

As for the firearm that was found in a nearby planter, she said, it was identified as a semi-automatic, which can leave ballistic evidence behind, unlike a revolver that was allegedly used.

“It doesn’t matter that the victim had a handgun,” she said. “What matters is [Wilford’s friend].”

Lawrence Rosenberg, Creek’s defense attorney, countered that there was no argument that the victim’s friend picked out the defendant when speaking to police. However, the defense attorney questioned why this identification was made five days after the shooting.

“He never told police who did it or what happened,” he said.

Rosenberg also highlighted the victim’s friend’s testimony that Creek was the peacemaker at the time of the incident when Wilford was angry.

“I suggest to you, ladies and gentlemen, that [the witness] shot his friend by accident,” he said. “There’s just not enough evidence to convict Derrick Creek of this serious crime.”