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By
Inacent McKeithan [former]
- March 22, 2023
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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“This sentencing will send a message to the community,” said Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Daniels during a hearing for a 21-year-old convicted murder defendant on March 21.
During Tuesday’s hearing, defendant Aiyahnah Burke pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and one count of use of a firearm in a felony violent crime.
According to Fox 5 Baltimore, Burke was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Vernelle Tavon Moton on the 800 block of North Glover Street.
Martin Cohen, who represents the defendant, alleged that on April 8, 2021, Burke and family members who accompanied her were involved in an altercation that Burke believed would have “ended in someone in her family dying.”
“Legally, my client had a right to do what she did,” said Cohen.
In response to Cohen’s claim, Judge Daniels reminded the court that Burke “purposely took a gun with her” on the day of the incident.
Judge Daniels stated that he had “no doubt she is a good person” and emphasized, “there are consequences when you commit a crime.”
Judge Daniels sentenced Burke to life, suspending all but 30 years, for first-degree murder; and a concurrent sentence of 20 years without the possibility of parole for the first five years and five years of supervised probation for use of a firearm in a felony violent crime. The defendant will also be required to remain drug and alcohol-free and register as a gun offender.