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By
Sage Cho
- January 23, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm as a minor before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kimberly C. McBride on Jan. 23.
On May 25, 2023, 18-year-old Matthew Leo Garner, Jr. found a 4.3-inch barrel handgun on the street, placed it in his pocket and brought it to his friend’s house on East Baltimore Street. At the house, the gun accidentally discharged and he was shot in the foot.
“It’s just a mishap that just happened,” Garner addressed Judge McBride, who commended his willingness to address the court. He also thanked his mother, who was present at the hearing, for her guidance and support.
“He knew it was a mishap,” his mother told the Baltimore Witness. “He hadn’t been in any trouble before.”
Last December, Garner rejected the state’s plea offer of five years for possession of a firearm as a minor. Judge McBride dismissed his second charge of discharging a firearm.
Garner’s stand-in defense attorney Jerome Wilson, Jr., called his client an “asset to his community” and submitted to the court two letters written by individuals willing to hire the defendant. Upon review of the letters, Judge McBride noted that Garner “demonstrated work ethic” and leadership and seemed to act as a mentor to others.
Commending his character, she authorized him to return to work. “Just live your life how you’ve been living it,” she told him.
Garner is set to return to court on April 8 for a status check and July 8 for disposition.