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By
Na'Jae Batts
- September 16, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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The jury heard contradictory closing statements in the assault trial of Phillip Woods before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Videtta A. Brown on Sept. 15.
Woods, 38, is charged with first- and second-degree assault for allegedly discharging a firearm outside a woman’s residence and hitting her car.
Woods and the victim were reportedly involved in a friends-with-benefits situation for over a decade. The victim allegedly grew upset after observing a woman outside Woods’ residence. In response, she returned Woods’ clothing and left following an argument.
According to the prosecution, the victim called police after discovering the damage. Authorities later towed her vehicle and discovered a projectile inside. The prosecution argued the recovered evidence supported the victim’s claim that Woods fired at her vehicle during an altercation.
“Who else would’ve done this?” the prosecutor asked during closing arguments. “It can’t be a coincidence.”
However, defense attorney Koryn High painted a picture of a complicated personal relationship and a case lacking concrete evidence.
“She wanted him and couldn’t have him,” High said about the victim. “So what did she have instead? Charges against him.”
High argued the only thing connecting Woods to the alleged shooting was the victim’s statement. No witnesses saw Woods leave his home or carry a firearm, and a search warrant only produced a BB gun.
High also noted that the victim left the defendant’s apartment while on the phone with her sister, which could have led her to be confused about the gunfire’s origin.
“They want you to believe that just because something happened to her car near his house, he’s responsible,” High argued. “But there’s no physical evidence tying him to the projectile, no witnesses, and no credible motive.”
High further questioned why Woods would be angry at the victim, noting she returned his clothes and brought him food, and suggesting there was no reason for hostility.
Jurors are currently deliberating.