Trial Begins in Fatal Shooting on East Biddle Street

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Opening statements began Sept. 9 for the jury trial of Derrell Goines, 36, on Sept. 9.

Goines is charged with first-degree murder and firearm use in a felony crime of violence in connection to the death of Alvin Raymond Henry, Jr., 35.

The fatal shooting occurred during a birthday party on the 1400 block of E. Biddle Street on March 2, 2024. Video footage allegedly shows Goines arguing with Henry outside a club before shooting him at least five times. Goines was said to have walked around the scene for approximately 10 minutes before leaving the area.

During opening statements, defense attorney Robert D. Cole, Jr. argued Goines acted in self-defense, describing him as a licensed firearm owner, youth counselor, and community member with no criminal record. Cole described Henry as intoxicated, irrational, and also armed.

Police later tied a 2017 Black Acura MDX at the scene to Goines and recovered a 9mm gun from his vehicle that matched shell casings found nearby.

“He was absolutely right to use self-defense,” Cole said, claiming the victim pulled a gun first.

Cole also criticized Baltimore police for doing a “horrific job” preserving the crime scene.

An officer who responded to a ShotSpotter alert from the area of the shooting testified he performed chest compressions on Henry and secured the scene. Though the officer said he did not initially see the murder weapon on the scene, body-worn camera footage shown during trial showed one lying in the grass.

The officer clarified his main focus was “to preserve life” and secure the area, and noted he does not always see what his body camera records.

An assistant medical examiner for the State of Maryland testified that Henry died from gunshot wounds to the chest and neck, with a blood alcohol level above the legal driving limit.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays is presiding over the trial scheduled to continue with additional witness testimony on Sept. 10.