Verdict Reached for Attempted Murder Defendant on Some Charges

By Jordan Fine [former] - February 4, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The jury reached a partial guilty verdict following the trial of attempted murder defendant Anthony Ward III on Jan. 29, finding him guilty of four different charges. 

Ward, 26, was charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person, firing a gun within Baltimore City and having a gun within 100 yards of the public. 

During opening statements, the prosecutor argued the defendant “tried to murder” the 37-year-old victim on the 4100 block of Frederick Avenue on March 31, 2023. Surveillance footage obtained by investigators showed the victim and Ward in a physical altercation, leading Ward to strike the victim with a handgun. The victim fell as Ward fired another round of shots, striking the victim again, then walking away from the scene.

“You cannot tell who the shooter is from the [closed-circuit television] footage,” said defense attorney Donald Wright in his opening statement last Thursday, “There’s no evidence.” Adding to Wright’s argument, all three of the witnesses were police officers, not civilians.

Previous coverage states that the prosecutor said in his closing statements before Baltimore City Circuit Judge Jeannie J. Hong, “Every single one of you watched him do it,” referencing the surveillance video footage. Ward was also caught on video near the shooting in a convenience store earlier that day, wearing the same outfit.

The jury found Ward guilty of attempted first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, having a loaded handgun on his person and discharging a firearm in Baltimore City. 

The following charges were dismissed: second-degree assault, having a handgun on his person, firing a gun in Baltimore City and having a gun within 100 yards of the public. The jury did not render a verdict for attempted second-degree murder or first-degree assault.