Jury Delivers Split Verdict in First-Degree Murder Trial

By Jordan Fortuna [former] - October 19, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 19, the jury delivered a split verdict in the murder trial of Preston Feaster before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.

Feaster, 31, represented by Brandon Mead, was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, having a handgun on his person, firearm use in a felony violent crime, possessing a rifle with a mental disability and six counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm. 

A mistrial was declared on charges of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person and second-degree murder. 

He was found guilty of four counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm.

The jury found Feaster not guilty of two counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm. 

Feaster was charged in connection to an incident that occurred on June 2, 2022. According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department investigators believe Feaster shot and killed Andrew Smith. Smith, 29, was killed on the 4200 block of Saint George’s Lane. 

Detectives identified Feaster as a suspect because of an interview with an ex-partner who was in a relationship with Smith at the time. The witness gave Feaster’s phone number, car description and license plate number to police. Police used the data to determine the location of his car and phone.