Witness Lies Under Oath While Testifying Against Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

By Jonathan Keesee - December 6, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Data | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On Dec. 5, the defense and prosecution argued whether a witness was telling the truth about a 31-year-old non-fatal shooting defendant during closing statements before Baltimore City Circuit Judge Troy K. Hill.

Ervin Dantzler is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm in a felony or crime of violence, having a loaded handgun on his person, illegal possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in Baltimore City, and reckless endangerment. 

During the trial, the prosecution brought upon two witnesses, an officer and Dantzler’s ex-girlfriend. 

Danztler’s ex-girlfriend is a mother to four children and initially claimed that Dantzler was a father to one of them. 

 Later, she admitted that she had lied about Danztler’s paternity, saying he forced her to sign him as the father. She said the child’s biological father was deceased. 

The ex-girlfriend said the incident started with Dantzler calling and texting her from her godmother’s phone, telling her to “Come outside.” She said she then heard four gunshots.

The ex-girlfriend noticed Dantzler walking into an alley while she spoke with the cops. 

Defense attorney Joseph Owens told the jury they could not trust Dantzler’s ex-girlfriend because she lied under oath regarding the paternity of her child.

“You can’t win by playing by the rules, so you cheat,” said Owens.

“The children aren’t relevant to this criminal case,” the prosecution said during a rebuttal.

The officer’s body-worn camera showed him detaining Dantzler after searching his body for a firearm. The officer did not recover a firearm from the defendant’s person.

Owens said that officers are required to let potential suspects go if no weapons are found on their bodies. 

On Dec. 5, Dantzler was found not guilty of the charges.