The murder trial of Daaon Spears, 19, grew contentious on Feb. 24 as the defendant’s mother delivered apparently inconsistent testimony regarding her son’s identity as a suspect in a mass shooting.
The case is being heard before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays.
Spears has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, multiple conspiracy charges and nine gun violations, including firearm possession as a minor. The shooting took place Jan. 4, 2023 outside a Popeyes restaurant across from Edmondson Westside High School. Five students were shot, including 16-year-old Deanta Dorsey, who succumbed to his wounds.
Proceedings grew intense when the state’s attorney pointed out alleged discrepancies in the narrative given by Spear’s mother—their own witness. According to the prosecution, her testimony on the stand contradicted her initial interview with investigators when she seemingly identified her son police believed was a possible suspect.
However, on the stand she told the prosecutor she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when she talked to investigators and couldn’t recall what she told police at the time, including anything about the identification of her son.
In response, defense attorney Brandon Taylor accused the state of attempting to impeach the credibility of its own witness, leaving Judge Mays to instruct the jury to leave the courtroom twice amid procedural arguments. The dispute was underscored when Taylor suggested Spears’ mother almost “perjured herself on the stand.”
During their investigations, detectives followed a tip received two days after the shooting that named Spears and Johnson as primary suspects.
The trial is set to continue with further testimony on Feb. 25.
