Teen Denied Bail for Fourth Time in Fatal Shooting of 15-Year-Old

By Andrew Michaels - November 29, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A Baltimore teen charged with murder was denied bail on Nov. 24 for the fourth time in the past three months.

The case of 15-year-old Damonyae Malone was brought before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor on Wednesday during a bail review hearing. Defense attorney Sasha Garcon said Malone is currently being held at the Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center and waived his appearance.

The defendant last appeared in court in late October when a motion was granted for the subpoena his Department of Social Services records.

Malone, who was 14 at the time of the incident, is charged with first-degree murder and firearm use in a felony violent crime in connection to the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jaileel Jones on March 4. Garcon and the prosecution returned to bail review on Wednesday to offer updates on the case in addition to the former’s request for Malone to be released on home detention.

Garcon informed the court that Malone is receiving his middle school education at the juvenile center in Salisbury and has earned multiple certifications for student of the week and academic achievement. The defense attorney asked Judge Taylor to consider releasing her client on home detention prior to his juvenile transfer hearing.

The prosecution asked that no change be made in regards to Malone’s release. During her review of the case, the prosecutor described the incident as “brutal in and of itself” as Malone allegedly forced his way into a home on the 5100 block of Chalgrove Avenue to hang out with friends, despite being asked to leave. The teen then went upstairs for about 10 to 15 minutes.

When he came back downstairs, Malone allegedly addressed Jones, who was looking at his phone, and then shot the victim in the head. The prosecutor noted that Jones was sitting next to a 9-year-old child at the time of the shooting.

Garcon countered that Malone told police that the incident was a tussle over a firearm between himself and Jones.

Following counsels’ statements, Judge Taylor deemed Malone a continued threat to public safety and denied bail.

Malone, who was previously denied bail in October, is next scheduled to appear in reception court on Nov. 30, according to the Maryland Judiciary website.