Man Pleads Guilty to Gas Station Murder

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A 36-year-old man pleaded guilty to murder before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy on Oct. 16.

Ronald Alston pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison, with all but 20 years suspended and five years of probation after release for the murder of Ricky Martin at a BP gas station on the 100 block of West Patapsco Avenue.

During the hearing, the prosecution introduced footage from Feb.18, 2020, showing Alston and four other individuals outside a BP gas station. One of the individuals initiated an attack on Martin, and the others, including Alston, joined in the assault.

Alston’s attorney, Todd Oppenheim, argued that Alston was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. He explained to Alston that he did not have to plead guilty, saying there is evidence that he didn’t commit the robbery, but Alston still chose to take the plea.

Alston was in mental health court for two years until he was declared competent to stand trial on April 3. Alston is currently on medications in prison.