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By
Racquel Bazos [former]
- September 20, 2024
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Troy K. Hill levied the ultimate penalty against a 30-year-old man accused of shooting his victim 15 times.
Lance Hickman was found guilty this May of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first- and second-degree assault, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a loaded on his person, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, having a handgun in a vehicle, illegal possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm within Baltimore City for a May 2023 shooting.
“The facts of this case are egregious,” the prosecutor said in court Sept. 20. The victim was shot 15 times and miraculously lived due to the first responders’ quickly applied tourniquets. Although the victim was heavily involved in the case to this point, he was hospitalized Friday and could not give an impact statement in court.
The prosecutor claimed that Hickman only shot the victim at the behest of his co-defendant, who had had an argument with the victim. As the victim was walking home on the 5100 block of Gwynn Oak Avenue, Hickman allegedly “ambushed” him.
The sentencing guidelines found in the pre-sentencing investigation recommended the range of life plus 25 years to life plus 45 years. The prosecutor asked Judge Hill for a sentence within the guidelines.
Defense attorney Roland Brown said his client had strong family and community ties as a lifelong Baltimore resident, but acknowledged there was no one in the courtroom gallery present to support him. Brown also noted that Hickman has consistently maintained his innocence. In summation, Brown asked the court to levy a sentence far below the guidelines: 50 years suspending all but 15 years.
Judge Hill imposed a sentence of life plus 25 years, the first five without the possibility of parole. The judge did not break down the sentence for each charge in court Friday, however.