The murder trial of Timothy Knott continued Feb. 5 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert Taylor Jr. with testimony from several homicide detectives about physical evidence. They responded to Anthony Pearson’s death in northwest Baltimore nearly two years ago.
Knott, 29, faces charges of murder, assault and four gun violations for allegedly shooting Pearson and an unnamed woman on the morning of April 29, 2024. Both victims were transported from the scene on the 4700 block of Garrison Boulevard to an area hospital, where Pearson, 42, later died. An unnamed woman survived the incident with a graze wound, though officers noted she refused medical attention and appeared “incoherent and under the influence of unknown substance” at the time.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows Knott parking a red 2003 Chrysler minivan near the scene, walking toward Garrison Boulevard and firing the gun before driving away. According to investigators, Knott’s cellphone pinged a cellular tower in the area of Garrison Boulevard around the time of the shooting.
During questioning by detectives, Knott initially denied driving the Chrysler to the scene, claiming it had been at a repair shop and that he retrieved it later that night around 7:30 p.m. After attempting to suggest mechanics drove it to the scene, Knott allegedly admitted he retrieved the car from the shop several hours before the shooting occurred.
Defense attorney Warren Brown cross-examined the officer, stressing the length of time Knott was left alone in the interviewing room and questioning the prosecutions’ investigative procedure. Knott’s cousin had initially been flagged among persons of interest, but a detective admitted he had not been able to “get ahold of him.”
Brown also claimed investigators chose not to examine the Chrysler minivan for gunpowder residue because they were “satisfied that [Knott] admitted he had the car all day.”
An officer explained that the lack of further investigations of the car or the homes of Knott’s family for further evidence indicated they were already “certain” Knott was the perpetrator. Brown criticized investigators for neglecting to conduct an identification of the suspect with Knott’s mother. The investigative process, he told jurors, concluded within three months.
During Knott’s taped interview, an officer asked the defendant why a father of four would “take someone’s life and destroy his.”
Knott denied his culpability, explaining he had pins in his leg that limited his mobility and prevented him from even jumping a fence.
“I got full custody of my son,” he told officers. “I would never throw my life away for no gun sh*t.”
The trial is set to conclude with closing arguments on Feb. 6.
