Closing statements were delivered in an attempted murder case in Baltimore City Circuit Court before Judge Catherine Chen on July 16.
Nathaniel Green, 44, is charged with attempted first-and-second degree murder, First degree assault, and several other charges including firearm possession and reckless endangerment for allegedly shooting a man on the 2400 block of E. Oliver Street.
On August 15, 2025, Green was allegedly involved in an altercation with the victim who was armed with a baseball bat. Green allegedly fired at the victim who then ran to the 1700 block of N. Gay Street before asking someone to call 911.
Defense attorney Mary Lloyd Patton claimed Green’s actions were in self- defense. According to Green’s testimony, he was just trying to go home. The victim came at him with a bat and,Green thought that his life was in danger, panicked, and blacked out.
Patton said the state failed to preserve evidence.. The baseball bat the victim supposedly possessed has never been recovered. Bullet remnants were not located ane testded until 24 hours later, and a suspected blood spot was never tested for DNA.
Patton continued without those results, it’s impossible to know where the victim was shot.
The defense noted that Ring camera footage was never properly analyzed and 20 minutes of surveillance footage are missing.
The state’s attorney countered that Green allegedly admitted possessing the gun, shooting the victim, disposing of the gun, and identifying himself in surveillance footage. “There is no dispute that the victim was shot,” said the prosecutor.
The prosecutor said in the video footage, Green is seen stepping toward the victim and fires eleven times even though he’s fleeing. .
“Who brings a gun to a baseball bat fight?” the prosecutor asked the court.
The defense said the victim was intoxicated at the timeand refused to cooperate with hospital staff.
Further the victim allegedly tested positive for illicit drugs and said he was in withdrawal.
Patton insisted the prosecutors didn’t make their case to the jury. “They have to put the puzzle together but don’t even bother to collect all of the pieces.”
In response turn, the state’s attorney said, “What are you shooting a gun at somebody for, if it’s not to kill them?”
The verdict is pending.
