Jury Returns Not Guilty Verdict in Attempted Murder Case, Defense Argues Lack of Evidence

By Andrew Michaels - February 14, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

Defense counsel in the trial of attempted homicide defendant Courtney Sykes compared the length of the prosecution’s case to that of this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, telling the jurors on Feb. 13 that pop singer Rihanna’s performance lasted longer than the prosecutor’s presentation of evidence.

“Doesn’t that tell you something about the state of the [prosecutor’s] evidence?” defense attorney Matthew Connell asked the jury during closing arguments.

The jury would later return a not guilty verdict that afternoon, including the prosecution’s dismissal of the attempted murder charges against the 30-year-old defendant.

Sykes’ trial began and ended on Monday before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea Handy as counsel argued over an alleged shooting on May 13, 2022, on the 1300 block of Cliftview Avenue.

According to the prosecution, Sykes and the victim had an argument that morning when the defendant fired two gunshots at the victim on Cliftview Avenue and another two shots after turning the corner to chase the victim.

The victim ran away “because she was scared she was going to be killed,” the prosecutor said.

“You don’t fire a gun four times at somebody if you are not intending the consequences of those actions,” he added.

Connell later questioned the jurors after the prosecution told them to use the evidence in the jury room for their deliberations.

“What are you taking back [with you to the jury room]?” Connell asked. “Did the police do anything to find out what happened in this case?”

The defense attorney reiterated his opening statement, explaining that there was no evidence linking Sykes to the crime, including guns, shell casings, bullet holes, or bullets.