Opening Statements for Teen Murder Trial

By Shelby Meek - June 28, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Jurors heard opening statements on June 28 from parties debating whether 41-year-old Kevin Dudley was the shooter who killed 18-year-old Kozee Spriggs. The case is being heard before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda A. Tanner. 

Dudley is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime and firearm possession with a felony conviction for Spriggs’ murder on June 3, 2021.

The prosecution stated that CCTV footage showed a red Chrysler sedan turning into an alleyway that was adjacent to where the victim’s body was found. The vehicle in the footage also showed distinct markings on the Chrysler’s car tag that are allegedly identical to those of the car Dudley was renting. 

The red Chrysler was taken by the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detectives to be processed for forensic evidence on June 17, 2021.

“The car was recovered by the BPD and was swabbed for DNA. DNA found was from the victim,” the prosecution said. “The victim was carried out to that red Chrysler.”

Defense attorney Anne-Marie Gering told the jury that Dudley was not in the footage at the crime scene and also said he did not own a red vehicle.  

“On June 3, at 2 a.m., Dudley was not at the location. He was in western Baltimore,” Gerig argued. “He owned a blue car, not a red one.” 

The prosecution also stated that they would present dental records and Dudley’s interrogation video. 

Spriggs’ body was found decomposing on the 1300 block of Ensor Street after being reported missing twice by her mother. 

“Because she was so unrecognizable from the decomposition, a medical examiner had to look at the dental records,” the prosecution argued. 

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Spriggs got into an altercation with a man known as “LB,” about not returning money and drugs as promised. Further investigation later identified “LB” as the alleged defendant. 

After he was arrested, Dudley first denied any involvement in Spriggs’ murder. When he was confronted with evidence, he allegedly admitted to investigators that he was present at the time of Spriggs’ murder. 

Dudley’s trial will continue until July 3 before Judge Tanner.