Acquitted: Jury Selected, Trial to Start Thursday for 20-Year-Old Homicide Defendant

By Carly Schiller [former] - July 28, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects |

Editor’s note: The defendant was acquitted of charges in this case.

A jury was selected on July 28 for the trial of a 20-year-old defendant for a homicide two years ago. 

Baltimore resident Tyrek Tyrone Hodge is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree arson, conspiracy to commit second-degree arson, firearm use in a violent crime, and three additional weapons charges. The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 17, 2019. 

Prior to jury selection, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams heard pre-trial motions from defense attorney Adam Frank. 

Frank first motioned to suppress the body camera footage of the officer who found the victim’s body, as well as photographs from the autopsy, claiming they would be emotional for the jury and, therefore, prejudicial. Judge Williams denied the motion to suppress the body camera footage, arguing it is important evidence.

Regarding the autopsy photographs, Judge Williams said he wanted to view the photographs before deciding whether to suppress them. 

Frank also motioned to strike a witness’ identification of Hodge in a photo array. He said the identification is no longer reliable because a second witness is refusing to testify. Although the second witness initially corroborated the identification, he has since pleaded the Fifth Amendment, given that he is a co-defendant to the arson charges. 

The prosecution offered the co-defendant immunity for charges related to this case if he testifies against Hodge. Assuming that the second witness will testify given immunity, Judge Williams denied Frank’s motion and allowed the photo array to be used as evidence. 

The prosecution reiterated a plea offer for Hodge of life, suspending all but 50 years, with five years of probation, for first-degree murder; however, Hodge rejected the offer, favoring a jury trial. 

Twelve jurors and two alternates were selected to serve on the jury. Opening statements are set to begin in the morning on July 29, followed by the presentation of evidence.