Closing arguments in the Mondawmin Mall shooting trial

By Ziqi Zhou
– 28 August 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

Closing arguments were heard before Baltimore District Court Judge John A. Howard in the trial of a 20-year-old defendant facing charges related to a December 29, 2023, shooting at Mondawmin Mall.

Darrien Gaither faces 22 charges, including attempted premeditated and aggravated murder, first- and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a serious crime of violence, reckless endangerment, carrying a loaded pistol, carrying a pistol in a vehicle and two other firearms offenses in connection with the alleged shooting of a 50-year-old man and two other people.

During the prosecution's closing argument, the jury was presented with video surveillance footage that allegedly shows Gaither leaving the mall with a group before opening fire in the parking lot.

One of the victims was a 50-year-old UPS delivery man who was hit in the ankle and was unable to continue working. Two other unidentified victims were also injured in the incident.

Prosecutors argued that Gaither's actions posed a reckless threat not only to the victims but to everyone in the parking lot.

Defense attorney Natalie Finegar pointed out that neither Gaither's DNA nor his fingerprints were present at the crime scene, suggesting that the charges against Gaither were based on assumptions rather than facts.

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