Sturbridge Drive Homicide Defendant Sentenced to Life

By Erin Kim - April 5, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects |

On April 5, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong sentenced Donzo Monk, Jr., 28, who was found guilty of killing 26-year-old Bryant A. Timmons. The crime occurred on the 6800 block of Sturbridge Drive. 

As previously reported by Baltimore Witness, a jury found Monk guilty of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, having a handgun on his person and firearm possession with a felony conviction on Nov. 14, 2023. 

The assistant state’s attorney emphasized that the defendant executed Timmons, shooting him fatally in the eye, because the defendant did not want Timmons to selli drugs in his territory. She also mentioned Monk’s history of infractions in jail, including three knife possessions of a knife and enough drugs to indicate an intention to sell.

She said, “The defendant is set in his behavior, and his solution is to kill.”

Timmons’s mother addressed the courtroom saying, “I really can’t express the hurt I feel… I’m still playing catch up from two years ago.” Timmons’s family played a heartfelt tribute video.

Defense attorney Augustine Okeke brought the defendant’s father and cousin before the court. They asked the judge for mercy, stressing that Monk has children, and a life sentence would repeat the cycle of Black children growing up without a father. 

Okeke said, “Monk has a chance of coming out of jail and being a productive member of society… He is generally a good person.” Okeke also pointed out that there was no evidence of anyone selling drugs and that the case was built around circumstantial evidence. 

However, Judge Hong was quick to mention that circumstantial evidence holds the same weight as direct evidence in the courtroom, and she said that there was a lot of electronic evidence, as well as information that indicated that Monk was the driver of the specific car involved in the crime. She said that above all, 12 people found Monk guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Judge Hong gave Monk two life sentences that will be served concurrently for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Monk also received three years that will be served concurrently with the life sentence for firearm possession with a felony conviction.

Additionally, Monk received 15 years, with the first five years without the possibility of parole, to  be served consecutively for firearm use in a felony violent crime and having a handgun on his person.