Opening statements were presented June 23 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy in the case of 21-year-old Davon Matthews.
Matthews is charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and related conspiracy and firearm offenses. The counts stem from an incident that occurred last September on the 300 block of Light Street.
In May, Matthews was sentenced to time served and probation after pleading guilty to carrying a loaded handgun in an unrelated incident that occurred last July in Fells Point.
Prosecutors allege that on Sept. 14, 2025, Matthews shot an 18-year-old male victim in the right shoulder while near the Baltimore Convention Center. The victim and his two acquaintances were allegedly walking around near the complex, confronting people after they had been robbed on a bus earlier that day. After a verbal altercation with Matthews, the victim sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound.
During opening statements, the prosecutor told jurors they will be shown a series of videos establishing a timeline that allegedly proves Matthews’ guilt.
Jurors were shown footage from Baltimore CitiWatch cameras, officers’ body-worn cameras and area surveillance cameras. The state urged the jury to pay attention to a man wearing a dark hoodie with designs on the front and back, along with light blue jeans.
All the footage captured this individual at the scene of the crime. An officer later identified the suspect said to be Matthews after the lead detective disseminated a picture of the man seen in the footage.
However, defense attorney Roya May Hanna pointed out that multiple people in the area could have been wearing a dark hoodie and blue jeans. She also stated that the victim spoke to the detective and gave a description of someone wearing all black.
Bodycam footage from the lead detective was also presented, showing them executing a search warrant on Matthews’ presumed place of residence. The footage reportedly showed the detective discovering a handgun in the back of a bedroom closet.
Hanna reminded the jury that Matthews’ name is not on the house’s lease and that no mail was found at the house with his name on it.
The trial is set to continue through the week.
