‘Victim Lied About What Happened,’ Defense Attorney Says During Opening Statements

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On July 12, parties began opening statements debating whether 32-year-old Kyle J. Cooper was the individual who shot 66-year-old Eric Gill after his pick-up truck was stolen on Aug. 31, 2023.

Cooper is currently charged with first-degree murder, two counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, having a handgun in his vehicle, having a handgun on his person and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to the incident on 6100 block of Edlynne Road. Another victim suffered from non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

The prosecution stated that Cooper saw Gill and another victim stealing his white Ford F350 truck on the 1100 block of Cedarcroft Road. He did not hesitate to confront them.

“The victims heard Mr. Cooper say ‘Give me my s**t back,’” the prosecution stated.

A witness, who also lived on the 6100 block of Edlynne Road, testified that she heard an argument outside her house and saw a man in dark clothing. She stated that she then heard gunshots and a car crash outside her house.

“I heard a male voice saying either ‘give me my s**t back’ or ‘you gonna give me my s**t back,” the witness testified.

Camera footage during the incident shows Cooper wearing a white T-shirt with black pants.

Defense attorney Brandon Taylor argued in his openings that the two victims were known to go around and steal cars and car parts within the area.

“What you will learn, jury, is that minutes before they two stole Cooper’s car, they tried to steal a white Cadillac,” Taylor said.

Taylor said one of the victims crashed Cooper’s truck as they were trying to escape. He said the victims went back to Edlynne Road to retrieve the stuff they left behind.

“They came back with Mr. Cooper’s truck because they realized they left their stuff near the Cadillac,” Taylor argued. “One of the thieves drove the car and crashed, then went to the hospital. Once he talked to the police, he lied about what happened and told different stories.”

Taylor also said one of the victims is facing two open warrants for stealing car parts.

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), detectives and medics found Gill. He was pronounced dead at the crime scene.

Crime lab reports also found cartilage casings near Cooper’s truck, along with blood inside and outside the vehicle. Crime lab technicians also found a set of car keys, which belonged to the Cadillac the two suspects were trying to steal.

The trial is scheduled to continue on July 15.