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Taniya Moore [former]
- July 4, 2023
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On July 3, a 42-year-old man was sentenced by Baltimore City Circuit Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer in connection to the murder of 36-year-old Carmen Rodrigues, the owner of Kim’s Deli.
Martin Brooks was found guilty on Feb 21. for felony first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and
Prosecutors mentioned that the defendant was on active parole during the time of the incident and had a history of violent crime.
On Dec. 23, 2019, surveillance footage from outside of the deli showed Brooks, and his co-defendant, Terrance Peterson, arriving to the 100 block of N. Kenwood Avenue in a 2017 Honda Accord that was rented in the defendant’s name.
Defense attorney Leslie Stein, informed the court that his client didn’t want to make any remarks because he believed it may be misinterpreted.
“Why? Why did you take away my sister’s life? Just tell me why?” Rodrigues’ sister asked in her impact statement.
Rodrigues’ mother addressed the courtroom, saying, “Be sure this crime is something no one should ever get away with. I want you to ask him why he snatched away the life of my daughter, a woman who was defenseless, in front of her children.”
Before sentencing the defendant Judge Schiffer said,“I will note that Brooks is exactly the person the legislature had in mind when they made the law.”
Brooks was sentenced to life for first-degree murder with 35 consecutive years, the first five years without the possibility of parole for the use of a firearm in a felony violent crime and illegal possession of a firearm.