Trial Continues for Murder Defendant in 2023 Lexington Street Shooting

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The trial of 26-year-old murder defendant Darius I. Savoy continued before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Catherine Chen on Sept. 18.

Savoy is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, and carrying a handgun. He is represented by defense attorney Roya Hanna.

As previously reported, on April 9, 2024, Savoy pleaded nolo contendere to one count of first-degree murder, allowing him to accept punishment without admitting or denying guilt before Judge Althea M. Handy.

Savoy also pleaded not guilty to his remaining counts, which included firearm use in a felony or violent crime, conspiracy to firearm use in a felony or violent crime, two counts of carrying a handgun, and first-degree assault.

According to charging documents, on April 13, 2023, officers responded to a report of a shooting on the 2000 block of W. Lexington Street. Police investigations revealed 30-year-old Allante Alexander was sitting with a woman in his black 2018 Honda Accord when a vehicle pulled up and its occupants began shooting.

Alexander sustained multiple fatal gunshot wounds, while the woman was unharmed.

According to prosecutors, Savoy was linked to the crime through surveillance and other evidence collected in the weeks following the incident.

The lead detective testified that he canvassed the area and obtained surveillance video from nearby stores. A recording played in court showed the shooting that night, capturing a car pulling alongside another vehicle, opening fire, and then fleeing toward Pulaski Highway. The video displayed muzzle flashes coming from the vehicle.

According to testimony, Savoy’s clothing in one surveillance video matched what was seen in a short clip of him inside the car prior to the shooting. Additional footage from the Fells Point area showed Savoy and several men outside a chicken restaurant. When the group dispersed, Savoy was later seen in the car with the driver, and investigators said his clothing was consistent with what appeared in the earlier footage.

The detective also testified that evidence was recovered from the vehicle, including shell casings, water bottles, and a jacket. A later search of Savoy’s residence allegedly uncovered a sweatshirt seen in the surveillance video, as well as a Glock magazine loader. The detective said he released information to help identify Savoy, who was later connected to the case through video clips.

During cross-examination, the defense questioned the thoroughness of the investigation. The detective admitted he could not confirm that Savoy remained in the car during the shooting itself. The defense also pointed out that police did not collect surveillance footage from Savoy’s block on April 23, nor from Baltimore CitiWatch cameras or other possible sources, and failed to conduct forensic or DNA testing on the magazine loader recovered from Savoy’s residence.

The defense further raised questions about another individual who had been listed as a person of interest. The detective acknowledged that he issued a “be on the lookout” alert for the man, but did not include his name despite knowing it, and only circulated a photograph. Another detective later identified the individual, and an officer went to the man’s home, where he refused to speak to police. The lead detective also attempted to locate him but was unsuccessful.

On redirect, the prosecution emphasized that the detective preserved key evidence, including surveillance video, GPS data, and the sweatshirt, which they argued link Savoy to the shooting.

The case is scheduled to continue on Monday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. in Baltimore City Circuit Court.