Poor Police Investigation Behind Defendant’s 2017 E. Pratt Street Murder Charges, Defense Argues

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Five and a half years after the murder of 31-year-old volunteer firefighter Jon Hickey, his accused killer, homicide defendant Daniel Greene, began his jury trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Ronald Silkworth on June 15.

The incident in question occurred on Nov. 29, 2017, but faced multiple postponements between counsel’s unavailability and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greene is charged with first-degree murder, home invasion, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and having a handgun on his person.

During her opening statement on Thursday, the assistant state’s attorney trying Greene’s case explained that the 41-year-old defendant felt “entitled to whatever he wants” and “manipulated everyone around him.”

The chain of events leading to Hickey’s death began when Greene’s mistress ended their relationship and began dating the victim, she said. Around 2:22 a.m. on the night of the murder, video surveillance recovered by the Baltimore Police Department shows Greene breaking into Hickey’s apartment on the 1800 block of E. Pratt Street where he then shot the victim in the head.

Charging documents state that officers found Hickey’s body the following day during a wellness check.

The prosecutor told jurors that they will not only hear Greene’s statements to police, but will also hear testimony from the defendant’s wife—who alleges he abused her mentally and physically—as well as his mistress.

Defense attorney Warren Brown was quick to counter that the prosecution was attempting to “assassinate” his client’s character, using Greene’s infidelity as the catalyst. However, he continued, poor evidence will prove Greene’s guilt.

Brown argued that Greene’s mistress misidentified him to police during her statement and was coerced into identifying him. The police department’s investigation was questionable, he added.

“Look critically at the poor quality of the investigation,” Brown said. “You all are owed more than this poor quality of an investigation.”

Greene’s trial proceeded with testimony, following opening statements, and is expected to continue into next week.

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