Prosecution Declares New Evidence is ‘Trial by Ambush’ in I-83 Homicide

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The case of 28-year-old Christopher Lee was declared a mistrial on July 11 following complications over evidence. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy presided over the hearing.

Lee is accused of first-degree murder and firearm use in a felony or violent crime in relation to an incident that occurred on Jan. 14, 2024, near Exit 3 of I-83 North. A physical struggle that ensued at the scene left Lee’s 30-year-old girlfriend, Jazmyn Reed, deceased in the passenger seat of Lee’s car. Lee called 911, reporting that Reed had been shot in the head.

On July 11, defense attorney Lawrence Greenberg called a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detective to testify but before it could be completed the prosecution was made aware of evidence new evidence the defense planned to use to impeach, or undermine the legitimacy of, the detective’s testimony. The unadmitted evidence included video footage and records of Lee at an ATM shortly before the shooting. 

The prosecution objected, calling it “the definition of trial by ambush,” and claiming that they were not afforded adequate time to both examine the evidence and contact the custodian of records.

Judge Handy ultimately ruled that the defense could not use the unadmitted evidence. Following the ruling, Greenberg requested a mistrial. After much debate, the court acceded to his request. Judge Handy expressed remorse that the Reed’s family would not be granted closure in the case.

The trial will be renewed on Nov. 10.