A Baltimore City jury found Neri Hernandez guilty on June 12 of manslaughter and firearm use in a felony violent crime in connection with the fatal shooting of Kendall Brown.
Hernandez, 30, was accused of shooting and killing Brown, 40, on March 16, 2025. According to the state, the shooting occurred outside a residence on the 4300 block of Shamrock Avenue after an ongoing dispute over a car turned deadly.
The case was heard before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria, and began on June 8. Hernandez previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a jury trial.
During closing arguments on June 11, the assistant state’s attorney argued Brown was shot in the back while fleeing from Hernandez. According to the prosecution, Brown and Hernandez had been involved in an ongoing dispute about vehicle damage and payments. The state also argued questions about Hernandez’ immigration status played a role in the crime.
The prosecution said Hernandez was the only person who testified that Brown had a gun or acted as the aggressor. He told jurors Ring camera footage showed Hernandez “storming off his porch toward the victim” before firing six shots at Brown, who attempted to run away.
“The defendant chose to arm himself with a handgun because he knew the victim was bigger and stronger than him,” said the prosecution.
The state also challenged the defense’s claim that Brown had a gun, saying the evidence showed Brown had a phone and keys in one hand and a bottle of chocolate milk in the other.
“Who brings a bottle of chocolate milk to a gun fight?” the State asked the jury during closings, arguing the evidence contradicted Hernandez’s self-defense claim.
Defense attorney Jerry Rodriguez argued Hernandez acted in self-defense. Rodriguez agreed with the state that Brown was “bigger” and “stronger” than Hernandez, but said Hernandez only fired after Brown allegedly brought a gun to the confrontation.
“Sometimes you are forced to do it,” Rodriguez told jurors. “It is okay to shoot someone.”
Rodriguez argued Brown came to the area with a large group of people and claimed Brown had unregistered firearms and ammunition in his home. He also pointed to Brown’s tattoos, which depicted firearms.
Rodriguez described Hernandez as a man with two jobs who “did everything he could to live properly” while living in a rowhome divided into several apartments. He argued Hernandez was “barely getting by” and acted to protect himself and his girlfriend.
“He saved his life and maybe [his girlfriend’s] life, too,” Rodriguez said.
In rebuttal, prosecutors argued that the defense’s claim that retreat was unsafe applied more accurately to Brown, who was shot while running away. The state also argued Hernandez’s action did not amount to either justified or imperfect self-defense.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 18 before Judge Vittoria.
