A Baltimore City jury found Melvin Tucker not guilty of first-degree murder on July 27 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Middleton.
Melvin Tucker, 45, was charged with first-degree murder and various firearm charges in connection to the May 12, 2024 shooting death of 42-year-old Moses Earl McKnight.
Prosecutors said the case centered on a dispute between Tucker and McKnight over money, pointing to jail calls in which Tucker allegedly discussed the debt, as well as camera footage and license plate reader data that was said to place Tucker at the scene.
Defense attorney Robert Cole said the surveillance footage never showed a gun in Tucker’s hand. He pointed to a witness who did not identify Tucker in court, calling her recollection of the incident into question. Cole also noted no 911 calls were made at the time of the shooting, with no blood recovered at the scene.
Cole said a jail call showed the dispute over money was reconciled before the shooting, and that Tucker was emotional during his police interview but denied shooting McKnight.
Jurors reached the verdict shortly after closing arguments, acquitting Tucker of all charges.
