Trial Begins for Man Charged in 2019 Murder

By Alyssia Davis [former] - September 9, 2021
Daily Stories | Home Page | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

The trial of a 54-year-old Baltimore man accused of homicide is slated to begin trial on Sept. 9 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays. 

Ronald Brown is facing first-degree murder charges in connection to the alleged stabbing of William Scott on Dec. 8, 2019, inside of a communal residence on the 500 block of N. Payson Street. 

In addition to one count of first-degree murder, Brown is also charged with use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure. 

The trial began on Thursday with testimony from the Baltimore Police Department officer who spoke to the victim’s girlfriend after he was flagged down by the girlfriend early in the morning. According to the officer’s testimony, the victim’s girlfriend told him that her friend was stabbed, but did not mention his death. 

Officers were only able to get inside when the fire department arrived and entered through the second floor window. 

The officer said, during the inspection of 51-year-old Scott’s residence, that officers spoke to a MTA bus driver, who reportedly talked with the victim’s girlfriend about the incident moments after it occurred. 

According to the driver, the girlfriend of the victim told him that someone was hurt and was in need of medical attention.

After speaking with the driver, officers checked both the inside and outside of the home, the back alley on the west end of the block, and the trash cans along the block for any possible weapons. Nothing was found. 

The prosecution then showed the jury a video of the girlfriend’s statement to a homicide detective. 

The victim’s girlfriend said Scott left his room for about an hour to buy drugs but added that it usually didn’t take him as long. She later said that she heard Scott and Brown arguing, but she could not understand what was being said. 

She testified that the argument escalated quickly and a tussle ensued. She said Brown then went to his room to get a black carving knife. 

The girlfriend described the knife as being about five to six inches long. The murder weapon has not been found.

During the cross examination, defense attorney Brandon T. Taylor questioned the officer about why the witness did not tell the bus driver that her boyfriend was stabbed. He also noted the demeanor of the girlfriend as she and officers waited outside of the residence to gain entry.  

The officer told the jury that the girlfriend was calm the entire time she was with police, and Brown’s name was never mentioned to the other officers on the scene or homicide detectives. He said the girlfriend said she did not see what happened. 

When being questioned by the defense regarding the witness ‘s phone, the officer said the girlfriend was not searched nor was her phone seized.

During her statement to police, the girlfriend also said she was in an abusive relationship with Scott. She said Scott abused her three days a week. However, the witness said officers did not report seeing any blood, scars, or bruises on the woman’s body.

Taylor said the girlfriend did not see the actual stabbing but heard Scott scream for help. 

He then questioned what, if anything, was the girlfriend getting in return for her statement.