‘This Case Is About Anger and Disrespect,’ Says Prosecution During Opening Statements in Trial

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During opening statements on Sept. 20, counsel addressed anger and disrespect as key factors concerning the case where a defendant was charged with attempted murder back in June 2022.

Reginald Allen, 39, is charged with eighteen counts, including attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, three counts of firearm possession with a felony conviction, three counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearms during a controlled dangerous substance offense, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firing a gun in Baltimore City, illegal possession of ammunition, possessing a gun within 100 yards of a park and possessing a gun within 100 yards of a park during the commission of a crime and carrying a handgun.

The prosecution began their statements in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey M. Geller by painting a picture of the evening of the crime. The prosecutor detailed a party that started calmly then escalated after a disagreement between the victim, defendant and several other party members occurred.

Defense attorney Isabel Lipman followed in defense of her client. She began by illustrating a similar story to the prosecution’s, however, her focus was on the fact that her client was forced to act in self-defense to protect himself and his family.

“I agree, this case is about anger and disrespect, but on the part of the [victim],” she stated.

According to the prosecution, on June 26, 2022, Allen and the victim were attending the same gathering on the 900 block of S. Bond Street. The victim was engaged in a verbal disagreement with his girlfriend when another witness, who had come to the party with Allen, stepped in and told him to leave. Allen did not like the way the victim spoke to the witness and confronted him. An altercation occurred between the two, which escalated until Allen pulled out his gun and shot the victim once in the chest. Both parties then fled the scene.