When asked if he had anything to say at his sentencing hearing, convicted barbershop killer James Hammond only uttered,: “Sorry for their [the victim’s family] loss, but I just want to move on with my life.”
His sentencing occurred on Nov. 4 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H Jones. Hammond was previously found guilty on all charges in relation to the 2024 shooting of Deon Beasley, 39, but was only sentenced on one count of first-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit first degree muder, one count of firearm use in a felony or violent crime, one count of conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony or violent crime, and one count of reckless endangerment.
Hammond and Lakeem Whitaker, 29, also accused, allegedly conspired with two other individuals to ambush and shoot the victim at a barbership on the 1800 block of Washington Boulevard.
During the hearing, the fiancée and two sisters of Beasley gave victim impact statements stating that Beasley will always be missed and never forgotten. His sister said “he didn’t deserve it [to be killed]” and asked Judge Jones to sentence Hammond “to the fullest extent of the law.”
The defense counsel read three letters to the Judge from Hammond’s family, including one from his mom where she said she tried her best to instill love, compassion, and family values in Hammond. She expressed that she hoped the Judge would “consider him [Hammond] as a whole person and not just the circumstances that brought him before the court.”
Judge Jones ultimately sentenced the defendant to a combined sentence of life in prison plus60 years to be served and 10 years without the possibility of parole.
