Reisterstown Road Homicide Case Ends in Mistrial

By Ting Hong [former] - April 20, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On April 17, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Geller declared a mistrial in a homicide case after the jury was unable to make a unanimous decision. 

Defendant Byron Erin Lewis is accused of murdering 32-year-old Shammarh Jenkins on the 2200 block of Reisterstown Road and fleeing the scene.

“Don’t let the defendant talk his way out of this,” said the prosecution to a jury on April 14, the last day of trial.

During closing arguments, the prosecution addressed the jury that the 40-year-old defendant tried to fit his version of events during his testimony.

According to the prosecution, on June 12, 2021, the defendant and Jenkins got into an argument, and he started grappling for Jenkins’ handgun in which “[Lewis] pushed him off…and let his ass have it.” 

Defense attorney James Sweeting III, argued the case as self-defense in relation to the murder of Jenkins. 

Sweeting stated that his client was not criminally responsible and asked the jury, “Is it reasonable to wrestle the firearm away?” 

During Friday’s proceedings, the prosecution told the jury that the defense’s argument of self-defense was not applicable since Lewis grabbed the gun first. The prosecution argued that this action made Lewis the aggressor in this case. 

In addition, the prosecutor argued that the defendant’s testimony was inconsistent with his initial interview with the detective of the case. The prosecution also argued that Lewis’ testimony was “completely self-serving” and that his prior convictions deteriorated his credibility. 

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Lewis was convicted of conspiracy to commit armed robbery in 2017. In addition, during a house search on Dec. 8, 2021, officers found ammunition, block magazines, and a firearm repair kit.

Lewis is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person, and two counts of possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to the murder of Jenkins.