A medical examiner testified that Keith Nicholson, 38, died from multiple gunshot wounds as the first-degree murder trial of Coine Larose continued before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Catherine Chen on July 23.
Larose, 28, is represented by defense attorney Michael Tomko. In addition to murder, he is charged with firearm use in a felony violent crime, carrying a handgun on his person and other related offenses.
According to charging documents, Nicholson was found suffering from gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of Belair Road on Dec. 31, 2023. He was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The documents state that surveillance footage showed Nicholson involved in a physical altercation before a white SUV followed him through the area. Gunshots were reportedly heard as Nicholson attempted to flee. Charging documents allege that Larose participated in the earlier altercation and was one of the shooters.
Judge Chen accepted the medical examiner as an expert in forensic pathology. She testified that Nicholson suffered three gunshot wounds, abrasions and injuries to his scalp, lung and spine, along with bruising around the eye.
She determined that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
During cross-examination, Tomko asked whether the medical examiner knew what clothing Nicholson had been wearing implying the evidence might have been altered.
She also testified that she reviewed the police report before conducting the autopsy and found no evidence of close-range gunfire.
The state then called a crime lab technician who processed areas connected to the investigation, including the homicide scene and the 4100 block of Eierman Avenue.
The technician testified that blood, cartridge casings and projectiles were recovered during the investigation and that she photographed evidence at the locations she processed. She said 18 nine mm shell casings were recovered from the Belair Road scene, but no projectiles were found there.
Tomko questioned when the technician learned that the Eierman Avenue location was connected to the investigation. She said she was not initially aware of the second location and was later directed there by a detective.
The technician also testified that a detective directed her to examine a home on the 4100 block of Eierman Avenue. She said a detective handled some evidence at the property and that she was not asked to photograph a broken window at the home.
The court recessed for lunch after the witness was excused.
Additional testimony is expected as the trial continues.
