A jury found defendant Joel Ugah guilty of first-degree murder on Oct. 31 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. Doory
Ugah, 39, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, having a handgun in a vehicle and having a handgun on his person in connection to an incident on April 15, 2022.
The jury rendered a guilty verdict for first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime and having a handgun on his person.
The panel did not reach a decision on the second count of first-degree murder and first-degree assault. A charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder was dropped earlier. The charges of firearm use in a felony violent crime and having a handgun in a vehicle were not sent to the jury. Ugah was found not guilty on the charge of attempted first-degree murder.
On April 14, 2022, Ugah rented a 2020 Toyota Corolla which was seen on CityWatch cameras the next day on the 800 block of Gretna Court. In the video footage, the 32-year-old victim, Brittany Keyser, was seen arguing with a witness. When Ugah arrived at the scene, he began shooting at the victim.
Ugah’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2024, before Judge Doory.
