The case of Zion Clayton, 25, was dismissed March 30 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy after the state failed to locate a key witness for trial, a representative for the Office of the State’s Attorney said.
Clayton initially faced two counts of first-degree murder and several firearm charges for the fatal shooting of Anthony McMichael, 36, which occurred last January on the 3000 block of Oakley Avenue.
Court documents state that shortly before noon on Jan. 24, 2025, Baltimore Police located a walk-in gunshot victim, later identified as McMichael, at Sinai Hospital. Despite medical efforts, McMichael was pronounced deceased by hospital staff. His death was ruled a homicide by gunshot wounds.
After interviewing several witnesses and reviewing area surveillance footage, investigators determined two suspects were involved in the shooting. The suspects were observed traveling from the 2800 block of Woodland Avenue, along Palmer and Queensbury Avenues, and entering the shooting site on Oakley Avenue before carrying out the murder.
Witnesses identified Clayton as one of the suspects through photographs. Detectives also obtained location data that placed Clayton’s cellphone near the scene at the time of the shooting.
Despite the evidence, the case against Clayton was dropped.
As Clayton left the courtroom, he exclaimed, “I didn’t do it.”
