Trial Begins For Man Accused of Shooting Young Mother in Front of Her Children

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Three days before Christmas in 2019, Carmen Rodriguez was working the cash register at her family’s store, Kim’s Deli, in Patterson Park. Moments later, a suspect walked inside and demanded cash from the register before shooting Rodriguez in the head in front of her four children.

On Feb. 14, Martin Brooks, 42, began his trial for Rodriguez’s murder before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Schiffer. His co-defendant, 32-year-old Terrance Peterson, is currently deemed incompetent to stand trial, according to the Maryland Judiciary website.

“This case you’re here for will be one of the worst cases you’ll hear,” the prosecutor told jurors during opening statements.

The prosecutor explained that a key piece of evidence against Brooks is video footage from the store that showed Brooks and Peterson surveilling the deli at 157 N. Kenwood Avenue prior to the robbery turned murder. Brooks allegedly walked into the deli wearing gloves with a gun in his hand and shot Rodriguez after she complied with his demands.

“This will be an emotional case,” defense attorney Leslie Stein said later in the proceeding. “A young mother is killed.”

Yet, Brooks was not the shooter, he continued. Dozens of fingerprints were recovered from the scene, none of which matched Brooks. Additionally, there were no witnesses to the crime, with no evidence that Brooks had a firearm.

Testimony began after opening statements and is expected to continue on Feb. 15.