Jury selection began April 13 in the murder trial of 36-year-old Bryan Cherry, who is accused of bludgeoning 38-year-old Sierra Johnson to death in July 2024.
Cherry, who faces charges of first-degree murder and possession of a dangerous weapon, is being retried before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kimberly C. McBride after his previous jury trial resulted in a hung jury.
The investigation began on the morning of July 14, 2024, when officers responded to a report of a common assault on the 800 block of Abbott Court. According to charging documents, an anonymous caller contacted 911 after hearing a woman’s screams coming from inside the home. The caller reported seeing a male, later identified as Cherry, exit the house with blood on his clothing before briefly speaking with individuals in the area and returning inside.
When officers arrived and knocked on the home’s front door, a witness alerted police that a suspect had jumped out of a rear window facing Eager Street and fled on foot. Upon forcing entry into the residence, police discovered Johnson unresponsive on a living room couch. She had sustained severe blunt force trauma to her face and head, and was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:28 a.m.
Officers canvassing the area quickly located Cherry on the 1300 block of Homewood Avenue and arrested him. According to court records, Cherry matched the specific description of the fleeing suspect, who allegedly wore a bright, multi-colored jacket and black pants. Witnesses positively identified a person said to be him upon his arrest.
The trial is set to continue through the week with opening statements and witness testimony.
