Victim’s Death Was ‘A Drug Deal Gone Bad, a Robbery Turned Fatal,’ Prosecutor Tells Jury

By Andrew Michaels - May 9, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Nearly four years after 26-year-old Jaquan Johnson was gunned down in the streets, his alleged killer, Aaron Michael Clubb, sat before a 12-person jury on May 9 as his defense counsel told jurors no one will ever know what really happened on the night of the shooting.

Clubb, 26, is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to first-degree murder as well as two armed robbery charges and two weapons charges in connection to the fatal shooting on July 15, 2019. His co-defendant, Tywon Johnson, is facing an additional count of first-degree murder in addition to two armed robbery charges and one weapons charge.

On May 8, a court warrant was issued for Johnson, who will be tried separately, with no trial date currently scheduled, according to the Maryland Judiciary website.

Defense attorney Alex Leikus did not go into the details of the case before the jury and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Schiffer during his opening statement on Tuesday.

“Are we going to know what occurred out there that night? I suggest to you we’re not going to know what occurred out there that night,” Leikus said, informing jurors that it is the prosecution’s job to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Earlier in the proceeding, the prosecutor provided more context, explaining that the victim’s death was “a drug deal gone bad; a robbery turned fatal.” Clubb and his co-defendant were going to purchase Xanax bars from the victim and his friend on the 2900 block of Pulaski Highway, she said; however, “Clubb had planned to rob them.”

Although the victim was found with a gun, only one gun was used that night, the prosecutor said, with five shell casings and two projectiles found at the scene. The victim was shot twice.

A medical examiner kicked off testimony Tuesday morning, with the trial expected to continue on May 10.