Trial Begins in Double Attempted Murder Case 

By Kaliah Green [former] - November 7, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Suspects |

On Nov. 7, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer opened the jury trial for attempted murder defendant Derrien Gamble. 

Gamble, 20, is facing 39 charges, including multiple counts of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first- and second- degree murder, conspiracy to commit first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and numerous weapons charges in connection to the non-fatal shooting of two victims on Feb. 4. 

James Sweeting III represented Gamble on Tuesday in Baltimore City Circuit Court. 

According to Baltimore Witness, after two individuals left their car on the 1500 block of Melford Road, Gamble and three co-conspirators fired several rounds, ultimately wounding them both. When Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers arrived they found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound to her right foot and right shin and the other victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his left flank.  Gamble was allegedly identified as a shooter; the other suspects fled.

The prosecution argued that this case is described by three words: “willful, premeditated and deliberate.” 

The prosecution claimed that the ground was covered in shell casings from the shooting. He told the court, “The defendant along with two others, willfully, deliberately and premeditatedly charged at the victims, all armed with their own firearms, and just began shooting and shooting 38 [bullets].”

In the defense’s opening statement, Sweeting told the court to focus on two words: “liability and damage.” He told the court to focus on what evidence must be given to show that his client should be held liable and responsible for the crime.

Sweeting also said the lack of evidence in this case  showed his client was not guilty. He told the court, “If there is an absence of fingerprints, DNA, … then that is a lack of evidence.” 

He stated directly to the jurors that, “If there are gaps, you all can’t make a decision. You can’t fill in the gaps.”