Jury Finds Shooter of Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy Guilty of Manslaughter

By Sophia Strocko - June 14, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The trial of a Baltimore man accused of killing an off-duty Howard County Sheriff’s deputy concluded with a guilty verdict, but not of first-degree murder. 

On June 14, a jury found Jewel Crowder, 41, guilty of manslaughter, firearm use in a felony or violent crime and reckless endangerment for the 2023 shooting of Ryan Demby, 23. The jury did not find Crowder guilty of first-degree murder, which was the original charge. 

Crowder’s conviction is connected to a shooting that occurred near the 1100 block of South Charles street on Sept. 28, 2023. According to the prosecution, an  altercation between Crowder and Demby occurred after Demby, his brother and a friend got into a bar fight and were kicked out of the establishment. 

When the deputy and his friend later returned to the bar to confront the bouncer, who was then talking to Crowder, the defendant shot Demby seven times, continuing to shoot after the victim had fallen. 

Throughout the three-day trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette Bryant, Crowder’s defense attorney, Ronald Harris, maintained that Crowder acted to protect bystanders as Demby had allegedly been brandishing a gun at unarmed individuals on South Charles Street, and that Crowder  instructed Demby to stay away from him before shooting. 

The prosecution stated that Demby was not threatening anyone, but testimony revealed he did have a firearm that was recovered during the investigation.  

A Baltimore Police Department raid of Crowder’s home led to the recovery of a handgun consistent with the weapon used to kill Demby. The prosecution alleged that Crowder registered with the U.S. Concealed Carry Association immediately after the crime. 

Crowder’s sentencing is set for Oct. 3.