Juvenile Murder Case Dismissed For Want of Key Witness

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All charges were dismissed against 17-year-old Jamal Long Jr. after Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland found the prosecution’s reason for postponement insufficient.

Long was initially charged with first-degree murder and four firearm violations in connection to an incident on Aug. 22, 2024, on the 1900 block of E. North Avenue. The shooting left 46-year-old Ronald Carroll dead.

An officer of the court reportedly visited the home of the prosecution’s identifying witness over the weekend, but the witness’ mother revealed she drove him to North Carolina on June 25 so he could turn himself for a pending federal indictment.

The prosecution’s last contact with the witness occurred in early June, when the witness indicated he didn’t want to testify. According to the prosecution, he did not give a reason.

Defense attorney Christopher Purpura said the prosecution should have been aware that the witness was planning to turn himself in when he was interviewed and received the subpoena. Judge Copeland agreed with the defense, saying the prosecution had the ability to get these records.

Transferring the witness from federal custody in North Carolina to Baltimore would take approximately 30 days. The prosecution offered for the witness to testify via Zoom, but Purpura objected to virtual testimony.

As a result, the prosecution dismissed all charges against Long, indicating their intent to re-charge him after settling the matter with the witness.