‘This Was an Execution,’ Prosecutor Says in Closing Arguments for Royal Farms Murder Case

By Racquel Bazos - September 1, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The brief yet dramatic trial of a Royal Farm security guard who killed a man inside the store on the 1800 block of Washington Boulevard concluded on Aug. 30 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby.

The prosecutor told jurors in his closing argument that defendant 51-year-old Kanisha Spence showed her intent to kill 26-year-old Marquise Powell on Oct. 30, 2022, by pointing her service weapon at his head multiple times over the five-minute span of the incident despite having no evidence that Powell was armed.

Although Spence did not render aid, she did call 911. But the prosecutor went on to say that surveillance footage of Spence eating chicken while on the phone with 911 demonstrated that she had no remorse for the shooting.

“This was an execution,” he said before explaining why the case could not qualify as either perfect or imperfect self-defense.

“[Powell] made his choice,” Spence’s defense attorney, Roya Hanna, began in her closing argument, referring to the victim’s many opportunities to leave the store and not return after the argument began. 

Although toxicology reports were not entered into evidence, witnesses testified that Powell was slurring his words–a possible indication that he had been drinking that night. 

Because Powell had been threatening Spence inside the store before going out to his car and re-entering, Hanna said, he could have been getting a gun to act on those threats.

As for the chicken, Hanna said it was “emotional eating” and that Spence was trying to calm herself after the incident.

The jury found Spence guilty of second-degree murder and firearm use in a felony violent crime on Aug. 31. Her sentencing hearing will be on Dec. 21.