Opening Statements in Trial About Argument That Turned Fatal

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On Nov. 1, opening statements were presented in the trial of a man accused of murdering 26-year-old Bryant Timmons. The case is being heard before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong.

Donzo Monk Jr., 27, was charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, having a handgun in his vehicle, having a handgun on his person and firearm possession with a felony conviction in connection to Timmons’ murder.

According to Baltimore Witness, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to the 6800 block of Sturbridge Drive where they found Timmons with a gunshot wound to his head. Timmons was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a few days after.

Monk was later deemed a suspect and then arrested on April 7, 2022.

According to the prosecution’s video evidence, Monk and three juveniles got into an argument with Timmons on March 10, 2022, which led to the fatal encounter. Even though this evidence might normally be considered circumstantial, the prosecutor said, it directly implicates the accused.

Defense attorney Augustine Okeke said that while his client was there that day, so were other individuals, some of whom Okeke said were tied more closely to the crime.

“So what we will hear today is that on that day … Mr. Monk was in the area where this crime happened, along with thousands of other people,” Okeke said.

Judge Hong’s collateral docket is scheduled for Nov. 2, so Monk’s trial is currently scheduled to resume on Nov. 3.

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