The murder trial of Bryant Whitaker, 30, continued on July 30 before Judge Paul J. Cucuzzella in Baltimore City Circuit Court as the state presented additional evidence. Defense Attorney William Porter is representing Whitaker who disrupted the proceedings by rambling incoherently for the second straight day.
Whitaker is charged with first- and second- degree murder, a use of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition after allegedly shooting Markell Wall, 26, on the 1200 block of Darley Avenue. The case was previously transferred from Mental Health Court.
According to court documents, on July 21, 2018, Whitaker approached Wall, who was sitting in the passenger seat of his truck before the two briefly spoke. The defendant then allegedly opened fire before running back toward the corner of the block as the victim attempted to move into the driver’s seat of the truck.
The defendant returned to the vehicle, and was said to fire additional shots at the truck, and then fled the area. Wall was later pronounced dead at John Hopkins Hospital. Whitaker was apprehended on August 30.
Proceedings were marked by repeated disruptions from the defendant, who was surrounded by three correctional officers after assaulting a correctional officer during court the previous day.
Throughout the trial, the defendant muttered to himself, spoke over the judge, hummed, chuckled, and mocked witnesses on the stand. At one point, the jury was excused after the defendant attempted to stand and move his seat while continuing to speak over the judge.
Judge Cucuzzella warned the defendant that he would have one final opportunity to remain in the courtroom and that any additional disruptions would result in his removal and required to watch the proceedings remotely. The defendant complied.
A forensic expert explained that rainy weather limited investigator’s ability to collect certain evidence, including suspected blood. The witness documented the scene by photographing the vehicle, cartridge casings, and other evidence. A ballistics expert later testified about examining cartridge casings, bullets, and bullet fragments recovered during the investigation. The expert testified that multiple cartridge casings recovered from the scene were likely fired from the same firearm based on microscopic comparisons.
Jurors also viewed the recorded testimony of a deceased witness. In the recording, the witness testified that he was outside with his daughter when he heard gunfire and called 911. He said he recognized Whitaker as the shooter because they had attended school together, identified the defendant by his first name, provided police with Whitaker’s address, and told investigators he had seen him numerous times before and after the shooting. Portions of the recording included audio from the witness’s 911 call.
The trial is scheduled to continue.
