Jury Trial Begins With New Suspect Added in Derby Manor Drive Homicide Case

By Amna Syed [former] - September 11, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 11, a jury trial began for the joined cases of Freedom Brown and Devon Pailin before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda A. Tanner. 

The assistant state’s attorney made her opening statements explaining that both defendants should be charged with first-degree murder regardless of who shot the victim. She instructs the jury to think about three legal factors that can be applied to this case: accomplice liability, felony murder, and beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Rodney Gray, the defense attorney for Pailin, explained that his defendant is being charged for a crime allegedly committed by Brandi Burrows. He stated that she was the mastermind behind the act, and that his defendant should not be charged for first-degree murder.   

Angela Shelton, the defense attorney for Brown, stated that her defendant is being wrongfully accused of being part of the act based on multiple changing statements that Burrows made. Shelton said that Burrows did not identify defendant Brown in her original statement, and only identified him when her codefendant Lundyne Oldes pleaded guilty. 

There is no testimony or evidence linking Brown and Borrows. 

Documents from the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City state that on June 18, 2021, an officer responded to the 3800 block of Derby Manor Drive for a shooting. Upon arrival, the officer found the victim, Tyrell Johnson-Woods next to a parked vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. The victim was transported to Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. 

Court documents also state that investigation led to the finding of a witness. The witness stated that the victim was approached by two unknown black females armed with handguns, and were then joined by two unknown black males who were also armed with handguns. It was stated by the witness that the victim was robbed of his personal belongings. The witness also stated that at least three of the individuals who were robbing the victim, shot the victim multiple times. The four suspects then fled the area. Video evidence and the witness were able to identify Pailin as one of the suspects.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, both Brown and Pailin are charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and use of a firearm in a felony violent crime.