Off-Duty Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy Was Drunk, Aggressive Before Shooting, Defense Argues

By Andrew Michaels - June 12, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 41-year-old Baltimore man on trial for the murder of Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Demby attempted to keep the victim away from him moments before shooting the off-duty deputy with a licensed firearm multiple times, defense counsel revealed during opening statements on June 11.

Jewel Crowder is facing charges of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime and reckless endangerment in connection to the fatal shooting of the 23-year-old deputy outside Federal Hill’s Wayward Bar & Kitchen on the 1100 block of South Charles Street shortly after midnight on Sept. 29, 2023. The defendant’s trial began Tuesday morning before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette M. Bryant.

The evening of Sept. 28, 2023, was meant to be a night of celebration as the Baltimore Orioles sealed their spot in the playoffs after defeating the Boston Red Sox, the prosecution said. However, later that night, Demby, his brother and a friend were drinking at Wayward, got into a bar fight and were kicked out of the establishment. An encounter with an aggressive bouncer then led to a street fight when Demby pulled out his firearm before walking away.

A short time later according to the narrative, Demby and his friend return to confront the bouncer, who was now talking to Crowder. As Demby’s friend attempted to hold him back, Crowder allegedly shot the deputy seven times, including multiple shots fired while standing over the fallen victim, the prosecutor explained.

Baltimore Police Department officers raided Crowder’s home within hours where they allegedly found a handgun deemed consistent with the murder weapon. Demby’s firearm was also recovered, but was fully loaded with no signs of being fired.

Defense attorney Roland Harris dismissed the prosecution’s “sanitized version” of events, saying Demby “had no business” having a firearm on him that evening given he was kicked out of a bar and had a blood-alcohol level that was twice the legal limit.

Demby reportedly had drawn his gun on unarmed people while on South Charles Street. Harris said his client walked up to Demby with both of his hands out, telling the victim to “stay away,” but was unsuccessful.

The trial continued with testimony Tuesday and is expected to resume on June 12.