Tag Archives: Murder

ABERDEEN MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER FOLLOWING FOUR-DAY JURY TRIAL

Date: August 5, 2026
RE: State v. Trevor Taylor

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Trevor Taylor, 35, of Aberdeen, was found guilty of First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, First-Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Loaded Handgun on Person, and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Paul Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on January 23, 2025, at approximately 8:28 PM, Aberdeen Police Units were dispatched to the area of Washington Street and Dorsey Street in Aberdeen. 911 callers advised a slender black male was lying in the middle of the intersection even though it was “freezing cold.”

Officers arrived on scene at approximately 8:39 PM and observed an individual, later identified as Travis Marquise Davis, lying in the roadway. Officers attempted to talk to Travis, but he was unresponsive. Two gunshot wounds were observed on the victim’s chest, and life-saving measures were attempted. Ultimately, Davis was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers seized a bag that was in Davis’ left hand and a loaded 9MM Ruger Security-9 handgun that was located to the left of his body. A spent 9mm shell casing was also located near Davis’ head.

Multiple detectives from the Aberdeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Special Operations Unit, and Harford County Narcotics Task Force canvassed the area for potential witnesses and surveillance video footage. Law enforcement collected multiple videos capturing four gunshots and a light-colored sedan traveling away from the crime scene at a high rate of speed following the shooting.

On January 27, detectives were canvassing the area of Washington Street when a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle was observed to be parked in the driveway of 422 Washington Street. The vehicle was a white 2019 Honda Accord with exterior auto-body repair work utilizing Bondo on the rear driver’s side door. The suspect vehicle was registered to Trevor Martin Clifton Taylor.

On January 29, detectives responded to 417 Washington Street in Aberdeen and reviewed surveillance video footage from January 23. At approximately 8:31 PM, an individual was observed walking from the direction of 422 Washington Street towards the sewer drainage system in front of 417 Washington Street. The individual was observed throwing an unknown object down the sewer system. A minute later, the same individual was observed throwing another unknown object down the sewer system. The individual then walked back in the direction of 422 Washington Street. The individual captured on the surveillance footage was determined to be Trevor Taylor.

On January 30, law enforcement responded to the area of 417 Washington Street while accompanied by individuals with the Bel Air Department of Public Works. Believing that Trevor Taylor discarded casings or evidence related to this incident, law enforcement searched the immediate area of the sewer system, as well as inside the sewer. Law enforcement located a 9MM shell casing in the rocks next to trash cans for 417 Washington Street, and another 9MM shell casing on a cement divider underneath the sewer drainage grate. An analysis of the casings located on Washington Street indicated that they were not fired from the 9MM Ruger Security 9 handgun recovered near the victim’s body. It was also determined that the shell casing located on January 23, near Davis’ body, was fired from the 9MM Ruger Security-9 handgun.

On February 3, 2026, Detectives with the Aberdeen Police Department executed the search and seizure warrant on the white 2019 Honda Accord registered to the Defendant. Bullet holes were observed in the interior rear driver’s side and passenger side door. It was ultimately determined through the course of the investigation, including a shooting incident reconstruction, that Trevor Taylor shot Travis Davis twice in the chest. While falling to the ground, Davis was able to return gunfire, striking Trevor Taylor’s vehicle as it fled the scene.

Following the verdict, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana and Assistant State’s Attorney Ari Kodeck for their efforts in securing a First-Degree Murder conviction in this case. We have repeatedly shown and continue to prove that gun violence in our communities is not something we will tolerate in Harford County. Utilizing the incredible investigative efforts and shooting incident reconstruction from our law enforcement partners, I am proud that my office has once again removed another violent criminal from our streets, as we continue to demonstrate our success and commitment to keeping Harford County safe.”

State’s Attorney Healey also commends Detective Lightner for his investigative efforts leading to the arrest of this Defendant, as well as the brilliant work and testimony of Cpl. Gahner for his shooting incident reconstruction and testimony resulting in this conviction. The defendant will continue to be held at the Harford County Detention Center while pending sentencing, which has been scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at 1:30 PM.

ABINGDON MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS NINETEEN YEARS TO SERVE

Date: July 17, 2026
Re: State v. David Williams

On Friday, July 17, 2026, David Williams, 67, of Abingdon, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Alex Allman in the Circuit Court for Harford County to a Life Sentence plus an additional nineteen (19) years to serve following his April 2026 convictions for First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in a Felony or Crime of Violence, Possession of a Regulated Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person, and Impairing the Verity or Availability of Physical Evidence.

This conviction and sentencing follow the brutal 2025 murder of Lillian Williams, who was shot and killed by the Defendant in her Abingdon home. Friends and family of the victim were present at sentencing and presented very emotional victim impact statements detailing for the Court the effects of this crime. Judge Allman’s remarks acknowledged his belief that the Defendant showed no remorse for his crimes and further stated that he had no hope for the Defendant’s rehabilitation and thus focused his sentence on punishment and deterrence. Assistant State’s Attorney (ASA) Jason Allen requested the Defendant be sentenced to the maximum sentence of Life plus twenty-nine (29) years to serve, pointing out to the Court that the Defendant will soon be charged in connection with a 1986 Baltimore City homicide in addition to the egregious facts of this case. ASA Allen also highlighted to the court a new DNA hit involving this Defendant in a 1985 rape in Baltimore County.

Following the hearing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “Today, justice was served for the death of Lillian Williams. This Defendant’s long history of violence ends here in Harford County, and we are proud to ensure that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Nothing can ever bring back a lost loved one, but it is my hope that Lillian’s family felt supported, cared for, and heard through every step of this case.”

State’s Attorney Healey commends the efforts of Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Allen and Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Alvarez for their work in securing this significant sentence, as well as the efforts of Victim Advocate Cindy Kelley, who works tirelessly every day to support the victims and families in these cases who are often experiencing the worst event of their lives.

NEW YORK MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF LIEUTENANT

Date: May 19, 2026
Re: State vs. Juan Quiroz-Manzueta

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Juan Quiroz-Manzueta, 22, of New York, entered a guilty plea in front of the Honorable Judge Kevin J. Mahoney in the Circuit Court of Harford County to one count of Attempted First Degree Murder, one count of Second Degree Burglary, one of count of Attempt by Driver to Elude Police in an Official Police Vehicle, and one count of Failing to Stop a Vehicle after an Attended Property Damage Accident.

Facts presented in support of the plea proved that on the morning of August 26, 2025, Lieutenant Robert Burgess observed a white Penske box truck driving erratically on Route 136 in Harford County. At that time, he activated his emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop, the driver failed to stop and led law enforcement on a 36-minute vehicle pursuit across multiple roads in the county. During the pursuit, the driver of that vehicle, Juan Quiroz-Manzueta, drove recklessly at unsafe speeds, crossed over medians, and, most notably, traveled the wrong way on several occasions, including multiple times on Interstate 95. At a minimum, six cars were struck by the Defendant as he weaved in and out of traffic attempting to evade law enforcement, and failed to stop after any of those collisions. During that time, other deputies led the pursuit, and Lt. Burgess, later with the help of a Maryland State Police trooper, positioned themselves on Interstate 95 to deploy stop sticks in an attempt to stop the vehicle. As the Defendant approached, he deliberately avoided the tire deflation devices, striking civilian vehicles in the process. Lt. Burgess sought cover, and it was at that time that the defendant deliberately struck Lt. Burgess’ vehicle, swerved directly at him and struck him, sending him 30 feet through the air and an additional 30-plus feet down the asphalt, nearly taking his life. The Defendant still failed to stop despite striking a human being and continued to flee. Eventually, Sgt. Henize of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) terminated the pursuit and safely conducted a Precision Immobilization Technique, which is a law enforcement tactic used to safely and forcefully stop a fleeing vehicle, guiding it off the roadway and into the woods. The Defendant exited his vehicle, fled through the woods and managed to further evade arrest at that time.

Investigation later revealed that the Defendant burglarized the Applebee’s in Aberdeen and stole cooking oil from that location. He then attempted to steal additional cooking oil from the Royal Farms on Route 22. Both incidents occurred just prior to Lt. Burgess’ attempted traffic stop on the vehicle. The Defendant was transporting the cooking oil in the truck as well as the hose he used to siphon the oil to steal it. Due to the swift and thorough investigation of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Defendant was immediately identified, located, and arrested the very next day in New Rochelle, New York.

As a result of the conviction, the Defendant was sentenced to Life in Prison, all suspended but forty (40) years to serve, which is a significant upward deviation from the recommended Maryland Sentencing guidelines of only fifteen (15) to twenty-five (25) years.

Following the hearing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey held a press conference where she issued the following statement: “The sentencing guidelines in this case were only 15 – 25 years, which were completely insufficient for both the crimes the Defendant committed that day as well as the amount of peril in which the Defendant placed all of our citizens on the roadway that day. We are proud that we were able to obtain a sentence that is 15 years above the top of the sentencing guidelines and more than double the bottom of the range for the guidelines.

I want to significantly commend Detective Phillip Golden and the entire Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, as well as Detective Lightner and the Aberdeen Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, for their efforts in investigating this case. In addition, Harford County law enforcement and supervisors from all agencies countywide demonstrated sheer excellence in the team effort to bring this dangerous pursuit to a close. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the sacrifices that our law enforcements make each and every day to ensure the safety of this county. They put their lives on the line for each and every one of us.

Most importantly, I am incredibly grateful to report that Lieutenant Burgess was able to be here with us today in Court to address the Court in a victim impact statement. He sustained significant injuries as a result of the Defendant’s actions – a severe concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury, a collapsed lung with 12 displaced ribs and one broken rib requiring nine metal plates, a dislocated collarbone, a broken left forearm requiring a metal plate, four fractured vertebrae in his back, road rash covering his body, two large lacerations on his head, and additional internal bleeding. Despite those injuries, he thankfully survived this horrific incident. He will, however, be likely to deal with the lasting effects of his injuries for the rest of his life. His bravery and service to Harford County are to be honored.

As State’s Attorney, I remain committed to my sole focus and priority, which is the public safety of Harford County and ensuring that dangerous offenders like Juan Quiroz-Manzueta face significant consequences for the threat they pose to our community. This is what the citizens of Harford County elected me to do, and we have repeatedly shown that we will stop at nothing to remove violent offenders from our streets. Today, we once again did just that. This sentence is a swift and certain message to those who contemplate committing crimes in Harford County. No sentence obtained in this case would ever be enough to compensate Lieutenant Burgess for the injuries he sustained that day. We are so fortunate that he did not lose his life that day protecting our community, but this is a reminder that all our law enforcement officers willingly do everything they can every day to protect our citizens. So, to all our law enforcement partners, I profoundly thank you for your service to Harford County. In the Circuit Court for Harford County, today, justice was served.”

ABINGDON MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER

Date: April 17, 2026
Re: State v. David Williams

On Friday, April 17, 2026, David Williams, 67, of Abingdon, was convicted of First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in a Felony or Crime of Violence, Possession of a Regulated Firearm By a Prohibited Person, Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person, and Impairing the Verity or Availability of Physical Evidence following a five-day jury trial before the Honorable Judge Alex Allman in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The Defendant will remain in custody at the Harford County Detention Center until his sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled after a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Facts presented in the trial proved that on June 30, 2025, Lillian Williams was shot and killed in the upstairs of her Abingdon home. At the time of the murder, her husband, David Williams, was the only other occupant of the residence. After the murder, the Defendant left the victim in the residence to drive around and took the gun with him. Approximately an hour later, he returned to the residence after he discarded the gun in a wooded area and finally called 911 for assistance. He relayed pieces of the story to dispatchers and denied any knowledge of the details of the shooting. Despite the efforts of first responders, the victim had no pulse at the time of arrival and was pronounced deceased.

At the time of their response, Williams provided multiple stories to the responding deputies but allowed them access to his RING doorbell camera. He was eventually transported to the Criminal Investigation Division for further interviewing. There, his story changed again, and he claimed that the victim produced the weapon and that the gun simply went off during a struggle. An autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which determined the victim’s manner of death to be a homicide. They also determined that the gun was fired from approximately one to three feet away. During their testimony, the Medical Examiner testified that the findings of the autopsy were not consistent with a struggle.

Warrants were also executed on the Defendant’s home and RING camera. Detectives recovered multiple gun cases, multiple types of ammunition, and a handgun holster from the Defendant’s bedroom. The videos from the RING camera on the night of the incident showed the Defendant kicking in the front door to gain access to the home, then calmly and repeatedly exiting and entering the home in the moments following the shooting. Other evidence presented also showed that the Defendant called a friend who resided out of State and advised that he had been in an altercation with a man that resulted in the man’s death.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following comment: “After our prosecutors persisted through this five-day jury trial, we are thrilled with the First-Degree Murder conviction of David Williams, along with convictions on all other counts charged, ensuring justice is served for the death of Lillian Williams, the victim of this tragic, domestically-related homicide. It is the worst kind of betrayal and violence when a Defendant takes the life of someone with whom they have an intimate relationship. While the result of this case will never bring Ms. Williams back, it is my hope that the convictions in this case will bring some peace to her family in knowing that the person responsible for her death will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

Ms. Healey extends her sincere gratitude to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Allen and Assistant State’s Attorney Jenn Alvarez for their preparation, diligence, commitment, and advocacy in the prosecution of this case. She also commends the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation of this case and especially thanks Deputies Alba, Elliot, and Distance of the Patrol Division, former Deputy and current Pentagon Police Officer Perez, Detectives Kaminiski and Golden and Forensic Lab Director Orchowitz of the Criminal Investigation Division for their assistance with the presentation of this case at trial. Finally, she recognizes the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Harford County Emergency Services.

MAXIMUM PENALTY IMPOSED FOR BRUTAL 2023 MA-PA TRAIL MURDER

Date: August 11, 2025
RE: State v. Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez

On Monday, August 11, 2025, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez was sentenced following an April 2025 jury trial for the brutal 2023 rape and murder of Rachel Hannah Morin on the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. The trial resulted in a swift verdict with the jury finding Martinez-Hernandez guilty on all counts, which included First Degree Murder, First Degree Rape, Third Degree Sexual Offense, and Kidnapping after less than one hour of deliberation.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on August 5, 2023, Martinez-Hernandez pulled Rachel Morin from the Ma & Pa Trail, brutally raping and murdering her, ultimately concealing her body in the drainage culverts where she was found the following day. After a lengthy investigation involving both local and federal law enforcement partners, Martinez-Hernandez was apprehended and charged.

Today, Martinez-Hernandez appeared before the Honorable Judge Yolanda L. Curtin for sentencing. State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey and Deputy State’s Attorney David W. Ryden, who prosecuted the case, asked the court to impose a sentence of Life Without the Possibility of Parole, plus a consecutive and additional Life sentence, plus forty additional years to serve, which is the maximum penalty allowable by law. To support their sentencing recommendations, the State provided a lengthy presentation to the court demonstrating who Rachel was in life and not solely as the victim of a horrific crime. The presentation also showed the immense loss that her family has suffered at the hands of this Defendant through victim impact statements provided by her mother, children and siblings. State’s Attorney Healey also noted the impact that this tragedy had on the Harford County community, as well as the need to protect both our community and others from the Defendant, who has been proven to be an immense and continuing threat to public safety. State’s Attorney Healey supported this by highlighting the gross inconsistencies in the self-report provided by the Defendant in his pre-sentencing investigation and psychosexual evaluation, reminding the court of the preposterous lies told by the Defendant at each and every stage of the investigation and trial, as well as quoting the Doctor responsible for the evaluations who described the Defendant as “marked by coldness, dismissiveness, and a callous attitude when discussing the offense, along with an absence of remorse, insight, acceptance of responsibility, or empathy, significantly heightening concerns about his risk of reoffending.” In addition to the reports, the State continued by outlining the Defendant’s involvement in other violent acts, which included an active “Red Notice” from El Salvador for Aggravated Femicide relating to the murder of another female victim, listing him as “armed, dangerous, likely to escape, and violent.” Based on all the information contained in the various reports and evaluations, and the egregious nature of the offense, State’s Attorney Healey argued to the Court that Martinez-Hernandez is completely and entirely unamenable to treatment and thus, the Court should impose the maximum sentence.

Judge Curtin imposed a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional life sentence to be run consecutively, as well as an additional forty (40) years to serve, the maximum penalty allowable by law.

Following sentencing, State’s Attorney Healey stated: “Arguably, Harford County has never seen a case or a Defendant more deserving of every single day of the maximum sentence this Court imposed today. This has been a long and grueling process for Rachel’s family, and it is our hope that this sentence provides some sense of justice as they close this chapter and move forward in their grief and toward healing. Nothing will ever bring Rachel back to them or restore their lives to what they were before this immense tragedy, but hopefully, knowing this monster will spend every single day of the rest of his life behind bars will give them some peace as they move into the next chapter of their family story. My wish for this family and Rachel’s children is that they believe we gave them some sense of justice for the loss of Rachel and that they continue to honor her memory and legacy in everything they do for the remainder of their lives.”

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION IN 2024 JOPPATOWNE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING

Today, May 29, 2025, Jaylen Rushawn Prince, 16, of Edgewood, was convicted by a Harford County jury after three hours of deliberation of First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Crime of Violence, Minor in Possession of a Firearm, Dangerous Weapon on School Property, Loaded Handgun on a Person, and Handgun on a Person.

These convictions follow an eight-day jury trial, where evidence was presented proving that on September 6, 2024, first responders were dispatched to Joppatowne High School for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed the victim to be a fifteen-year-old male student who had been shot inside the school bathroom. He was immediately transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview where lifesaving surgeries were attempted but unsuccessful, and he later succumbed to his injuries that afternoon.

Further investigation of the incident identified the shooter to be Jaylen Rushawn Prince. Witnesses presented in trial testified that Prince and the victim were engaged in a verbal altercation after the Defendant followed the victim into the school bathroom to confront him over issues relating to a female student. One of the student witnesses present at the time of the incident filmed the confrontation where Prince is clearly depicted as the aggressor, threatening to kill the victim four times. Witnesses testified that they observed Prince remove the firearm from his backpack, cock the weapon and ultimately shoot the victim before fleeing the scene and disposing of the murder weapon, which was never found.
State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, who prosecuted the case with her co-counsel Anthony Baranauskas, offered the following comment after the verdict: “We are very proud today to have given justice to the victim’s family. At fifteen years old, his life was taken by this defendant far too soon in a place that is supposed to be safe for the children of our communities. There is absolutely no justifiable reason for a sixteen-year-old to be armed with a firearm, especially in the halls of our high schools. It is my hope that this case sends a clear message that if you make adult decisions that take the life of another, there will be adult consequences.”

State’s Attorney Healey would like to express her sincere thanks to Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony Baranauskas for his assistance in the preparation and prosecution of this case. She further commends Detective Ross of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and all of the members of the Criminal Investigation Division as well as all the members of law enforcement that responded to this tragic incident.

Sentencing has been set for September 2, 2025, where the Defendant faces a maximum penalty of a life sentence plus twenty-eight years of incarceration.

LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE SENTENCE IN 2022 EDGEWOOD MURDER

Date: May 1, 2025
Re: Sentencing Update – State v. Anthony Sean Ross

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Anthony Sean Ross, 32, of Nottingham was sentenced to Life without the possibility of parole plus a consecutive twenty (20) years to serve by the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen following his February 2025 conviction for First Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, and related firearms charges.

These charges stem from an April 2022 shooting where the victim, a 38-year-old Edgewood man, was murdered outside of his home when 22 rounds were fired in his direction, striking him in the back and ultimately, causing his death. Following the sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “Life without the possibility of parole is the maximum sentence allowable by law in Maryland and was absolutely appropriate for this senseless killing. Today closes a very long and grueling chapter for this victim’s family, and I hope they can find some peace knowing the Anthony Ross will never walk the streets of our community again.”

State’s Attorney Healey extends her praise and gratitude to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses and Assistant State’s Attorney Vincenzo Culotta for their perseverance and commitment to justice in this case. It is through their diligence and hard work that this maximum sentence was secured.

ABINGDON MAN CONVICTED IN 2024 BEL AIR MURDER

Date: March 21, 2025
Re: State v Angelo Terrell Spencer

On Friday, March 21, 2025, Angelo Terrell Spencer, 25, of Abingdon, pled guilty to First Degree Murder before the Honorable Paul Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County. Following the plea, Spencer was sentenced to Life, suspend all but seventy-five (75) years to serve in the Division of Corrections.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on February 22, 2024, the Bel Air Police Department was dispatched to a residence for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, Officers located a 73-year-old female victim in the foyer of the residence suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased while en route to the hospital.

The victim’s granddaughter was on scene and advised her ex-boyfriend, Angelo Terrell Spencer, entered their home and stabbed her grandmother. Members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate Spencer at his home, and he was taken into custody. After being read his Miranda rights, Spencer agreed to speak with Detectives and advised that on the night in question he was texting with the victim’s granddaughter and wanted to see her. He further advised that he went to her home and attempted to get her attention by “crunching branches” near the rear basement door of the residence. When that was unsuccessful, he got back in his vehicle and drove to the Bel Air Home Depot. Upon arrival, he observed a marked police car in the front of the store and waited for it to leave before entering and purchasing a glass cutter, pocketknife, and a pair of gloves. He stated that he then returned to the victim’s residence where he used the pocketknife to cut through a piece of the laminate material that was covering one of the windows of the rear basement door in an effort to gain entry to the residence by sticking his hand through the hole. He discovered, however, that the door was secured by a key lock deadbolt and was unable to unlock the door. Spencer then went around to the front of the residence and knocked on the front door. The victim answered the door and Spencer indicated to her that he was “looking for John.” The victim told him that she did not know anyone by that name, and at that point, Spencer forced himself into the home. Spencer further advised he then stabbed the victim in the shoulder, panicked, and continued to stab her multiple times. The autopsy of the victim revealed twenty-five stab wounds to her neck and upper back area.

Following the incident, Spencer told Detectives that he fled the scene, traveled to Bel Air Middle School to pick up his current girlfriend from work, traveled to H&R Block to get his taxes, and stopped at the Bel Air Safeway to wash his hands, before ultimately collecting his juvenile daughter from daycare and returning home.

Investigators were able to speak with Spencer’s girlfriend who corroborated his version of events following the incident. She further advised that she did not notice anything strange or off about Spencer, except that she found it odd that he called his juvenile son and stated he loved him and cried.

Following the plea, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “Angelo Spencer deserves every day of this sentence for the violent, unjustified, and brutal murder of this seventy-three-year-old grandmother. The premeditated steps he took to take her life are incomprehensible. I hope that her family can now have some peace knowing her killer has been held accountable.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy Brooks for his efforts as her Second Chair in this case. She further expresses gratitude to Detective Corporal Sam Vivino of the Bel Air Police Department for his thorough investigation, as well as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the apprehension of this Defendant.

DRUG DEALER CONVICTED OF MURDER IN RELATION TO FATAL OVERDOSE

Date: March 3, 2025
Re: State v Kusan Hines

On Friday, February 28, 2025, Kusan Hines, 43, of Havre de Grace, pled guilty to one count of Second Degree Depraved Heart Murder and one count Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in support of the plea proved that on October 12, 2023, Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to an apartment in Havre de Grace for a welfare check. Upon arrival, contact was made with the handy man for the property who reported that he arrived to fix the locks and could not gain access to the unit. Using a ladder to see into the apartment, he observed the male victim slumped over in the bedroom.

Deputies made entry and discovered a 33-year-old male victim deceased from a suspected overdose. Detective Armiger from the Harford County Drug Task Force assumed the investigation and located a glass smoking device commonly used for smoking Crack Cocaine under the body of the victim. The victim was then taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where a Forensic Toxicologist confirmed that he had a combination of Cocaine, Benzoylecgonine, Fentanyl, and Despropionyl Fentanyl in his system. Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Vincenti then performed an autopsy and confirmed that the cause of his death was Fentanyl, Despropionyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine Intoxication.

Through further investigation, surveillance videos from the victim’s apartment were reviewed which showed that a male, later identified as Kusan Hines, and a female, later identified as Kusan Hines’ girlfriend, arrive at the victim’s apartment the night of the overdose on October 11. The next video showed them leaving the victim’s apartment a bit later. They were the last ones to be at the victim’s apartment before he was found deceased the next day.

On November 16, 2023, Detective Armiger conducted an interview with Kusan Hines where he advised that he was friends with the victim and confirmed that it was in fact him and his girlfriend on the surveillance video entering the victim’s residence. He further advised that the victim had a preexisting mental condition that caused him to have hallucinations, that drugs made the hallucinations worse, that his mental condition was worse than ever, and the victim was admitted to the hospital for his mental conditions not long before the overdose. Hines further stated that he went to the victim’s apartment to cook crack cocaine and smoke with him. The victim smoked the crack cocaine most likely unaware that it contained the Fentanyl and Despropionyl Fentanyl and after smoking, he started “acting weird.” Despite this, Hines left with his girlfriend, leaving the victim alone in his apartment without seeking any medical assistance.

Detective Armiger was also able to speak with an independent witness who spoke with Hines regarding the incident. This witness stated that Hines came into the Fluff and Fold Laundromat the day after the overdose and kept repeating “It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” When asked what he was referring to, Hines said “I gave him too much.” This same witness confirmed that Hines was the only one that would deal drugs to the victim, since other dealers refused due to his mental conditions.

Following the plea, Kusan Hines was sentenced to 30 years suspend all but 12 years to serve at the Department of Corrections, and 5 years of supervised probation following release. State’s Attorney Healey issued the following statement: “I cannot say enough about the importance of this case and the precedent it has set for how we will handle future overdose cases in Harford County. I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Stuart Welch for his tireless efforts and collaboration with our Harford County Drug Taskforce to support the investigation and prosecution of those that deal drugs in our communities, especially in cases that result in death. To our knowledge, this is the first murder conviction in the State of Maryland related to a fatal overdose, and Harford County has now opened the door for this to become the norm. We will continue to seek even higher sentences in an effort to deter the distribution of these poisons in our community.”

State’s Attorney Healey also expresses her gratitude to Detective Armiger and the entire Harford County Drug Taskforce for their efforts in this investigation and for all that they do daily to ensure the safety of Harford County citizens. Their professionalism and skill are unmatched, and they should be commended for the very important role they play in Harford County’s public safety.

NOTTINGHAM MAN CONVICTED IN 2022 EDGEWOOD MURDER