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By
Brianna Washington
, Liya Osiyemi - September 3, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Multiple witnesses presented evidence linking co-defendants Korey Hopson, 23, and Charles Robinson, 27, to the murder of 17-year old Denzel Johnson during trial on Sept.2.
Both men are charged with first-degree murder and assault, attempted and conspiracy to commit murder, and multiple firearm offenses for allegedly killing Johnson and injuring another victim during a drive-by shooting incident that occurred May 25, 2024, on the 800 block of N. Dukeland Street.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J.Hong heard from three expert witnesses, including a forensic scientist who obtained swabs from various locations of the white 2023 Nissan Rogue used in the shooting.
DNA and latent fingerprints were recovered from the area of the vehicle’s passenger and driver seats, as well as the trunk and a lighter the defendants allegedly planned to use to torch the vehicle. Hopson’s prints reportedly comprised the majority.
A DNA analysis expert testified that three items recovered during the course of investigation produced a likely match with Hopson’s DNA.
“It’s more probable that Korey Hopson was in the sample, than a random person,” the analyst stated when challenged by the defense.
A homicide detective who witnessed and reported the Nissan Rogue while it was in transit testified that investigators were able to locate the vehicle and predict its movements by monitoring its AT&T GPS location services.
Defense attorney Donald C. Wright, however, questioned the detective’s credibility, asking how he was able to pinpoint the defendant’s vehicle if its license plates were not visible in the surveillance footage obtained from the area of the shooting.
The trial is currently ongoing.