Victim’s Aunt Asks for the Strictest Sentence as She Describes Almost Stepping on Niece’s Flesh

By Alyssia Davis [former] - October 20, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

“There is not one word I can say to the family at this moment to make things better,” said Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Videtta A. Brown on Oct. 18 as she sentenced a defendant to two consecutive life sentences.

“Everybody was robbed on Oct. 14, 2019. Brooks robbed his family of a future with him and robbed himself of his humanity,” said Judge Brown in the courtroom.

Brooks, along with his two co-defendants Kiray Walker and Devon Bynum, was charged in connection with a night of crime that included numerous armed robberies and ended with two people being killed.

On Aug. 22, Malik Brooks was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and two counts of use of a firearm during a felony violent crime in connection to the fatal shooting of Aryana James and Courtney Richardson on the 1900 block of McHenry Street on Oct. 14, 2019, alongside his co-defendants.

In the case of the murders, Judge Brown sentenced defendant Malik Brooks to two consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder and two concurrent life sentences for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The defendant was also sentenced to a consecutive two sentences of 20 years in prison, with the first five years without parole for the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime. 

In another case involving the armed carjacking of two other people prior to the murder, Brooks was sentenced to 30 years for armed carjacking; 30 years for conspiracy to commit armed carjacking; 20 years for robbery with the use of a deadly weapon; two counts of 20 years with the first five years without parole for conspiracy to commit first-degree assault; 20 years for armed carjacking; 25 years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery. All the charges are set to run consecutively.

The prosecutor argued that Brooks drove during their night of crime and was the oldest of the three men, saying he bared most of the responsibility. He also argued that Brooks was the first person to begin shooting at the victims the night of the murder.

In the murder of James and Richardson, the prosecutor suggested life for the two counts of first-degree murder; life for the two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder; 20 years with the first five years without parole for two counts of the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime. 

In the other case involving the armed carjacking of two other people prior to the murder, the prosecutor suggested 30 years for armed carjacking; 30 years for conspiracy to commit armed carjacking; two counts of 20 years for robbery with the use of a dangerous weapon; two counts of 20 years with the first five years without parole for the use of a firearm during felony violent crime; 25 years for conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. All the charges are set to run consecutively to the homicide charges. 

“Brooks doesn’t deserve to step foot out of prison,” said the prosecutor.

Brooks’ defense counsel Jerome Bivens made his plea by saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” as he asked for compassion as it related to Brooks’ sentence.

Brooks’ aunt also asked for compassion during her impact statement. 

“My family is a great family,” she told the court. “I want you to take into consideration where he came from. Take into consideration my family’s needs.” 

The victim’s family, however, asked for the strictest sentence to prevent this incident from happening to anyone else. 

“Your [the defendants’] mothers get to hear your voice, see you, and speak to you. It’s thanks to your mothers that I have a lifelong membership to a club no one wants to be in,” said James’ mother during the sentencing hearing.

“I went to the scene and talked to the police, and he told me there was a homicide,” James’ aunt described in her testimony. “As I went to walk away, the officer told me to watch my step. I almost stepped in the flesh that was on the ground where I later found out at the trial that Aryana coughed up her lungs and gagged and choked as she took her last breath on the sidewalk that morning.”

Brooks maintained his innocence during the hearing saying, “I didn’t have nothing to do with it,” Brooks said to the court. “I apologize for what happened to them. I ain’t trying to be here for the rest of my life for something I ain’t do.”