Prosecutor Says, ‘No Doubt’ of Defendant’s Guilt in 2022 Double Homicide

By Andrew Michaels - September 27, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Lamarr Candia “set the wheels in motion” leading to the murders of 33-year-old Robert Carter and 27-year-old Kennard Wilds on April 29, 2022, outside Carroll Motor Fuels gas station in Baltimore City’s Central Forest Park neighborhood.

A year and a half later, the 28-year-old defendant sat feet away from a prosecutor in Baltimore City Circuit Court, where the assistant state’s attorney told a jury “there will be no doubt” of Candia’s guilt once all of the evidence has been presented.

Candia is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts each of firearm use in a felony or violent crime and conspiracy to first-degree murder and single counts of first and second-degree assault.

Judge Christopher L. Panos is presiding over the trial.

Although Candia wasn’t the triggerman, the prosecutor said, he called the shooter to the 3300 block of Garrison Boulevard after an argument with Carter and Wilds in the gas station parking lot. The gas station’s 16 surveillance cameras captured the incident, which began when the defendant and victims allegedly “exchanged words” and Carter threw “something insignificant” at Candia.

According to the prosecution, Candia then went to his car by a gas pump and made the phone call, continuing to argue with the victims. A short time later, the shooter—who remains unidentifed—arrived, parked his car on a nearby side street, walked over to the defendant’s car and spoke with him through the passenger’s side window. The prosecutor said video footage shows Candia drive his car and park near the shooter, both of whom then walk back to the gas station parking lot.

Candia allegedly took the first swing when the shooter took out a gun and pointed it at the victims, the prosecutor explained. As Carter lunged for the gun, the defendant moved towards Carter who was then shot.

Candia is also accused of standing over Carter after he was shot and punching the victim in the face.

After gunning down Wilds, who attempted to run away, the shooter and Candia drove off.

The bullet that killed Carter went through his skull and brain before exiting through his head by his ear, the prosecutor said. Wilds was killed from a bullet that went through his upper left chest, left lung, aorta, airway and right lung, exiting through his right armpit.

He argued Candia should be found guilty of murder because he not only intended the shooting to happen, but acted to make it happen.

Defense attorney Lawrence Rosenberg confirmed his client made a phone call and was at the scene when the shooting occurred, but asked the jury to not speculate or assume the prosecution’s version is correct. According to defense counsel, Candia punched Carter but was unaware Carter had been shot.

“The [prosecution] has to prove that the gunman was going to shoot,” Rosenberg added, asking jurors to “pay attention to what was not presented” by the prosecution.

Following opening statements, the trial moved forward with testimony, which is expected to continue on Sept. 28.