Murder Defendant Testifies He Hardly Knew Victim

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A murder defendant took the stand and claimed he barely knew the victim during his trial on Dec. 5 in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

The suspect, 31-year-old Reginald Peay, is accused of fatally shooting 35-year-old Lenora Alston, near the 1000 block of Fulton Avenue. Alston was “gunned down brutally and senselessly” shortly after 2:15 a.m. on March 15, the prosecutor said.

Peay is charged with first-degree murder, firearm usage in a felony or violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, loaded handgun on a person, a loaded handgun in a vehicle and having a stolen pistol.

Peay’s defense attorney, Natalie Finegar, said he acted in self-defense. Detectives with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) did not find the gun at the crime scene, but learned that Alston had a concealed carry permit for her job in security.

Peay said his only connection to Alston was marijuana use. “We also hung out a couple of times, but that was it,” Peay told the court.

Peay’s case was heard in front of Judge Alan C. Lazerow.