Tag Archives: 2019

Edgewood Man Convicted of 1st Degree Murder in Gang Shooting

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: October 4, 2021
RE: Gang Murder Conviction

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced that on October 1, 2021, a Harford County jury found Rahzir Meyers, 20, from Edgewood, Maryland, guilty of murder in the first degree, gang and firearm offenses following a two-week trial before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen. Sentencing was postponed to a future date to be determined.

On July 4, 2019 at 12:19 a.m., Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to 1942 Eloise Lane in Edgewood, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies and EMS learned that Khalil Johnson had been shot in the back and that the bullet exited through his chest. Johnson was transported to University of Maryland, Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where, despite life saving measures, he succumbed from his injuries.

An investigation, which involved several tips including anonymous witnesses, revealed that Rahzir Meyers was a member of the 400 Bloods gang which was in a feud with a local subset of the Crips gang. Witnesses stated that at the time of the murder, Rahzir Meyers stood on Brookside Drive and fired a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and victim Khalil Johnson. Further, video surveillance captured by Harford County Watch Surveillance cameras showed several individuals standing on Brookside Drive with at least one suspect firing a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and the victim Khalil Johnson. The video also shows Johnson running from the scene in the direction of 1942 Eloise Lane where he later collapsed. Multiple firearm casings were recovered from the area where the suspects were standing as well as a laser gun attachment. It was later determined that Rahzir Meyers’ DNA was on the gun attachment.

Witnesses also stated that there was a group of people hanging out in the area most of the late afternoon and evening hours of July 3rd through early hours of July 4th. The group included children, adults and others from the neighborhood who were out celebrating when the shooting occurred.

“Rahzir Meyers showed a shocking indifference to human life by carrying out this brutal gang murder in front of his entire community,” said Mr. Peisinger, “It is my hope that this verdict brings a measure of justice to the family of the victim of this callous and senseless act.” “As this case shows, this Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to use all available tools to disrupt and dismantle violent street gangs that threaten our communities including using the highly challenging Maryland Gang Statutes to hold violent offenders accountable.”

Mr. Peisinger further thanked the jurors who deliberated the case. He also praised the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, as well as all other first responders for their efforts in rendering aid at the scene and for the extensive investigation that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Meyers. Additionally, he commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Erin Smith and Toi Mason for their incredible advocacy in this highly complex case that resulted in this verdict.

Edgewood Man Sentenced in 2019 Shooting Death

DATE: August 23, 2021
RE: Sentencing of Anthony Martin, Jr.

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, announced the sentencing of Anthony Martin, Jr., 18 of Edgewood, Maryland for first degree murder.

On November 1, 2019 at approximately 3:19am, deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1800 block of Grempler Way in Edgewood, Maryland for a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was later identified as Joshua Crouse who had a single gunshot wound to his upper torso. Medics tried to revive Mr. Crouse but life saving measures were unsuccessful and he succumbed to his injury.

The resulting investigation revealed that Mr. Crouse met with Anthony Martin, Jr. at a Shell Station in Edgewood. Mr. Crouse arranged to purchase $60 worth of a controlled dangerous substance from Mr. Martin. Mr. Crouse met up with Mr. Martin on Grempler Way. During this meeting, Mr. Martin approached Mr. Crouse with an AR-15 firearm and shot him in the torso while attempting to rob him of his money.

Witnesses on the scene provided a description of Mr. Martin and advised that he was inside of the Shell station shortly before the shooting. Surveillance video from the Shell Station was reviewed and it showed Mr. Martin as described by witnesses. Based upon the video, a photographic array was presented to two witnesses who also identified him.

Mr. Martin pled in the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Yolanda L. Curtin on July 23, 2021 to one count of murder in the first degree. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Angela Diehl.

The sentencing hearing occurred on August 23, 2021. The victim’s family attended the hearing and the Court heard statements describing the impact this crime had on them and on the community. The Court sentenced Mr. Martin to life suspend all but 40 years of incarceration, to be served at the Division of Corrections, with five years of probation to follow.

Mr. Peisinger expressed condolences to the victim’s family for this tragic and senseless loss.

Mr. Peisinger further thanked the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, emergency response personnel and Assistant State’s Attorney Angela Diehl for their outstanding work and dedication in the investigation and prosecution that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Martin.

Bel Air Bank Teller convicted in Home Invasion

DATE: July 19, 2021
RE: Conviction of Nathan Newell

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Nathan Newell, 21, from Bel Air, Maryland, for attempted murder in the second degree and related home invasion charges.

On November 11, 2019, deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Still Pond Way in Bel Air. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with 78 year-old Glenn Kulik who reported that earlier in the evening, his doorbell rang and as soon as he opened the door a large masked man attacked him, knocked him to the ground and strangled him. Mr. Kulik’s stepdaughter, Natalie Sodano, awoke from the commotion and came rushing downstairs. When she saw what was happening, she jumped on the assailant’s back. The attack continued through the living room, into the kitchen, back to the living room, and back to the front door. The assailant, whose mask came off during the struggle, ran upstairs looking for money before fleeing the house.

Mr. Kulik and Ms. Sodano identified their attacker as Nathan Newell, a bank teller who had served Mr. Kulik the week before. The Harford County Sheriff’s office took Newell into custody wherein he delivered a partial confession. Later, Mr. Newell acknowledged that he knew Mr. Kulik had withdrawn a large sum of money and that was the basis of his attack.

Following a two-day bench trial in front of the Honorable Angela M. Eaves, Mr. Newell was convicted of attempted murder in the second degree, home invasion, first degree burglary, robbery, first degree assault, second degree assault, and attempted theft of $1,500 to less than $25,000. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 15, 2021.

Mr. Peisinger thanked the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, emergency response personnel, and Assistant State’s Attorneys Jason Allen and Toi Mason for their outstanding work and dedication in conducting the investigation and prosecution that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Newell.

Havre de Grace Resident Sentenced for Child Abuse Resulting in Death

DATE: June 1, 2021
RE: Sentencing of Brenton Mills

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, announced the sentencing of Brenton Mills, 27 of Havre de Grace, Maryland for child abuse resulting in death.
On January 7, 2019, officers of the Havre de Grace Police Department were dispatched to 667 Green Street in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the victim, a two year old girl, was suffering from a cardiac arrest. She was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital, but, despite numerous life-saving attempts, she died approximately one week later. Doctors discovered that the victim sustained brain swelling and bleeding that were the result of a high velocity trauma and she appeared to be the victim of abuse. Following an extensive investigation by the Havre de Grace Police Department, including multiple interviews with the victim’s caregivers, Brenton Mills was identified as a suspect and arrested on December 19, 2019.

Mr. Mills pled in the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen on November 10, 2020 to one count of child abuse resulting in death. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Tabone.

The sentencing hearing occurred on June 1, 2021. The victim’s family attended the hearing and the Court heard several statements describing the impact this crime had on them and on the community. The Court sentenced Mr. Mills to 40 years suspend all but 15 years of incarceration, to be served at the Division of Corrections, with five years of probation to follow.

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Harford County expressed condolences to the victim’s family for this
tragic and senseless loss.

Aberdeen Man Sentenced to Life in 2018 Murder

DATE: June 1, 2021
RE: Homicide Sentencing

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the sentencing of Joseph Daniel Parrish, 28, from Aberdeen, Maryland, for murder in the first degree, witness retaliation and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

On November 11, 2018, officers of the Havre de Grace Police Department responded to the 200 block of North Washington Street in Havre de Grace, Maryland following a report of an individual suffering from a laceration. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the victim, 61 year-old Jeffrey Coudon, had sustained gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts and transport of Mr. Coudon to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma, he succumbed to his injuries three days later on November 14, 2018. Following an extensive investigation, two individuals, Robert Lee Zeman, III, 34, from Havre de Grace, Maryland and Mr. Parrish were identified and arrested in April of 2019. Mr. Zeman was convicted on February 14, 2020 for being an accessory to the murder.

Following a lengthy trial in the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Paul W. Ishak, Mr. Parrish was found guilty by a jury on October 17, 2019. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Timothy Doory and Gabriella Vazzana.

Today, following the presentation of statements by friends and family of the victim, the Court sentenced Mr. Parrish to life in prison for the first degree murder, 20 years for witness retaliation and 20 years for the firearm charge, both of which are to be served consecutive to each other and to the murder.

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Harford County expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr.
Coudon’s family and friends for their unimaginable loss.