Murder Defendant Claims Self-Defense Against Car Thieves

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A defense attorney claimed his client committed a killing in self-defense during a closing argument given in Baltimore City Circuit Court on July 16.

Kyle Cooper, 32, is charged with eight counts including first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a handgun on his person and firearm possession with a felony conviction for the murder of 66-year-old Eric Gill on Aug. 31, 2023.

Brandon Taylor, Cooper’s attorney, told the jury that the defendant was trying to protect himself when he killed Gill and shot another man because both of them were allegedly trying to steal Cooper’s car on the 6100 block of Edlynne Road and Cooper thought they could’ve killed him.

“Cooper didn’t have any motive to kill Gill, and no eyewitnesses have said they saw Cooper commit a crime. It’s obvious this was self-defense,” said Taylor.

In a rebuttal, the prosecution responded saying there’s no reason why an individual would need to kill someone else in self-defense for stealing a car.

In addition to the charges against Cooper, his mother is also being charged with conspiracy to commit murder, for allegedly witnessing Cooper shoot Gill and driving off with Cooper after the incident.

Cooper’s case was heard in front of Judge Althea M. Handy.