Man Accused of Chasing Victims with Gun Released on Home Detention

By Sarah Driver [former] - July 27, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

During bail review on July 27, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr. released a Baltimore resident on home detention following an incident in May when he allegedly chased two women while firing a gun. Judge Taylor said he would “ordinarily never do this.”

The defendant, 30, is charged with two counts of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, and one count each of discharging firearms, having a shotgun with an illegal barrel length, carrying a loaded handgun on his person, having an unregistered shotgun, and wearing a handgun on his person. 

Defense attorney Lawrence Rosenberg said the charges arose from a misunderstood incident. According to Rosenberg, the defendant was defending himself against two people who broke into his house on May 16. Rosenberg also noted that the defendant’s gun, a Ted Williams shotgun, is a short-barrel shotgun, which is not illegal. 

Rosenberg told Judge Taylor he will provide proof at a later date that there was no relationship between his client and the victim. 

The prosecution disagreed with Rosenberg’s description of events, saying that the victim was inside the defendant’s house on Fairview Avenue because she was his girlfriend. Accompanied by another woman, they left the house but were followed by the defendant. Both noticed something in the defendant’s hand and heard a gun fire as they ran away. 

Neither victim claimed to have watched the defendant shoot the gun, as their backs were turned while running away. However, the prosecution was concerned with the nature of the charges and, based on the victim’s testimony, said they believed the defendant to be dangerous. 

Rosenberg noted the defendant’s only prior criminal record was from 2013 when he was placed on probation instead of being charged with theft. Accordingly, Rosenberg argued his client is not a danger to the public. 

Although Judge Taylor said he would “ordinarily never do this,” he agreed to release the defendant on home detention. Judge Taylor agreed with Rosenberg that the defendant does not need to remain in jail, citing a lack of video evidence and the defendant’s mostly clean record. 

Judge Taylor said the defendant must stay away from firearms and both of the victims while on home detention.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, the defendant will return to court on Aug. 12. 

Rosenberg also represented Baltimore resident Gabriel Abraham during Tuesday’s bail review. 

Abraham, 42, is charged with attempted second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, and seven other firearm-related charges. 

The defendant is allegedly involved in a shooting on June 14. 

Rosenberg said that recently discovered information complicated Abraham’s request for home detention. Video footage shows the defendant chasing a man down Maryland Avenue with a handgun. Abraham then allegedly fired at the victim as he got in a car to escape. 

The defendant said the victim had robbed him and that the gun that he fired was not his own. Abraham went home to get his own gun before returning to Maryland Avenue, where he was recognized and arrested. 

Rosenberg said Abraham’s criminal record mostly consists of drug-related charges. He said that he hoped the judge would grant his client bail because the defendant is very industrious, suffers from PTSD, and is seeking treatment for his drug addiction. 

Pre-trial counsel mentioned that the defendant has a lengthy criminal history, with 13 convictions on his record. They recommended that he be held without bail, and Judge Taylor agreed. 

The defendant’s case is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 18, according to the Maryland Judiciary website. 

Judge Taylor also denied bail in another non-fatal shooting case, which he described as “a weird tale.” 

The defendant, a Baltimore resident, is charged with discharging a firearm within the city and having a loaded handgun in his vehicle, a handgun in his vehicle, a loaded handgun on his person, and a handgun on his person. 

The defendant, 28, said he had exchanged gunfire during an incident on June 23. According to defense attorney Robert Cole, the defendant actually first called the police after the incident. 

While Judge Taylor agreed that the defendant made initial contact with the police, he added that he initially “didn’t report his own misconduct.” The defendant was charged twice for the shooting, but one case was dismissed.

A number of charges from the incident have also been dropped. 

Cole said he does not feel that his client is dangerous; however, the prosecution disagreed, noting that the defendant’s case involved an exchange of gunfire and drugs. Given the allegations, pre-trial counsel also recommended no bail. 

Judge Taylor agreed with the prosecution and pre-trial counsel, and denied the defendant bail. 

The defendant’s trial is set for July 29.