Opening statements were heard in the murder trial of Javon Rivers, 42, before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda A. Tanner on Nov. 4.
Rivers is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a violent crime, and handgun on person in connection to the Dec. 18, 2024 murder of Donte Bazemore, 31.
According to charging documents, police were dispatched to the 2600 block of East Chase Street after reports of gunfire. Bazemore was located on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest and taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Rivers was identified as the alleged shooter through surveillance footage.
Two 9mm shell casings and one projectile were recovered from the crime scene.
During opening statements, the prosecution claimed that it was a “tale of an ambush in broad daylight” while the defense argued that Rivers acted in self-defense.
The prosecution stated that the surveillance footage is not “crystal clear” but jurors are able to view compilations from the surrounding area. She urged them to take note of the clothing worn by the alleged shooter; what the prosecutor described as a black hoodie with large white lettering and a distinctive hat with an orange flag.
The state also alleged that the defendant waited outside of the store for the victim, and upon his exit, shot Bazemore twice. The prosecution concluded by encouraging members of the jury not to “check their common sense at the door”.
In opposition, defense counsel William Porter claimed that the state is “absolutely incorrect”. He argued that the defendant and victim entered the store without acknowledging one another, and it wasn’t until they ran into one another as Bazemore was leaving that an altercation erupted. He admitted that the video will show his client allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Bazemore, however Porter insisted that it was on the grounds of self-defense.
The defense argued that his client was aware that Bazemore owned brass knuckles and a gun. He claimed that the victim grabbed the defendant near his throat, and as a result Rivers “feared for his life” in a matter of seconds. He also stated that images will depict injuries on the victim’s knuckles, attributing to the fact that he reportedly owned brass knuckles.
Following opening statements, witness testimony began with a forensic pathologist who examined Bazemore. The doctor shared their findings, stating that three gunshot wounds were observed along with unhealed and healed abrasions on the victim’s knuckles. However, the expert couldn’t say how recent were Bazemore’s injuries.
The manner of death was ultimately ruled to be a homicide.
Further witness testimony is set to continue throughout the remainder of the week before Judge Tanner.
