Closing arguments set for Monday in trial of squeegee worker charged with murder of Timothy Reynolds
BALTIMORE -- The prosecution has rested in the trial of a teenage squeegee worker accused of murder, and the defense tells WJZ they will present no witnesses. The defendant will not take the stand.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday morning with the judge allowing jurors to take Friday off.
Just before prosecutor Cynthia Banks rested her case, the defense filed a motion to acquit, which is standard in cases like this one.
Defense attorney Warren Brown told me his client will not testify and Monday will be closing arguments. Then, jurors will start deliberating. Court is taking tomorrow off. @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) July 20, 2023
The judge denied it and said there is enough evidence for this case to move forward.
Deliberations are also set to begin Monday.
On Thursday, jurors saw the gun the prosecutor said was used to kill Timothy Reynolds.
Two of the five bullets that struck him were hollow point, which means they expanded in his body to create larger wounds, according to the state's expert witness testimony.
Reynolds was struck in the face, chest and three times in the back during the encounter with squeegee workers near the Inner Harbor last July.
The defense said their client acted in self defense, citing dash camera video showing Reynolds following squeegee workers with a baseball bat. Police have testified he was walking away when he was shot.
The alleged shooter was 14 at the time and WJZ is not naming him because of his age.
Lead detective John Amato testified the defendant left to retrieve a handgun, concealed his face with a mask and re-engaged "which is why we have determined this was a murder and not self-defense."
Defense attorney Warren Brown handled cross-examination.
"The big question is why this gentleman went across eight lanes of traffic swinging a bat at these kids," Brown told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren outside court. "There was something that went on in his past in relation to these squeegee kids."
Assistant medical examiner says Timothy Reynolds was shot in the face, chest and three times in the back. @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) July 20, 2023
But Thiru Vignarajah, an attorney representing the Reynolds family, rejected that theory.
"For so long, the public was told this was self-defense. You don't pull down a mask and then shoot a guy three times in the back and get to claim self-defense," Vignarajah said.
Testimony resumed this morning. Lead Detective John Amato. On backpack with gun, he says defendant “went directly to it” and it was being used by multiple squeegee workers. He says video developed defendant as suspect. @wjz https://t.co/wVreavbzNh
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) July 20, 2023
Brown questioned the thoroughness of the police investigation and why they only made a single attempt to get video from several nearby businesses and failed to investigate Reynolds' past interactions with squeegee workers.
Amato testified police were "short staffed" and he wanted to devote "precious resources" to finding the shooter.
"The whole focus of the state's case has been on these squeegee kids, and no one has really looked into the relationship with Mr. Reynolds to the squeegee kids at that corner in the past that I think generated such a feverish effort to get across that street with that bat—and to in fact swing at these kids before he's shot,"
Brown said.
The prosecution introduced Reynolds' autopsy into evidence, leading the defense to highlight several photos of his tattoos.
Defense attorneys have repeatedly blamed Reynolds' actions for the tragedy.
"I think this kind of pathetic distraction tactic of trying to accuse and villainize the victim seems particularly desperate and pathetic in a case of such seriousness," Vignarajah said in response. "The family knows that trials are rollercoasters, but at the end of the day, they remain hopeful and confident that when all the facts and all the law are before the jury, this jury will render justice."
Previous Coverage:
- Attorney for squeegee worker charged with murder blasts 'sloppy' police investigation
- Self Defense or Murder? Prosecution, defense at odds in trial of squeegee worker charged in Timothy Reynolds' death
- Trial begins for teen squeegee worker charged as adult in 2022 murder near Inner Harbor
- Trial for teen squeegee worker charged in Timothy Reynolds' death near Inner Harbor to start Monday
- Document: Timothy Reynolds shot 5 times in July encounter with squeegee workers
- Family of Timothy Reynolds speak one year after deadly altercation with squeegee workers
- Family of Timothy Reynolds says 'total miscarriage of justice' if squeegee worker granted plea deal
- State's Attorney Mosby responds to teen squeegee worker's murder case being tried in adult system
- Family of Timothy Reynolds petitions for change of lead prosecutor in teen squeegee murder case
- Attorney of teen squeegee worker charged in Inner Harbor murder 'outraged' by postponed hearing
- Witness describes deadly confrontation between Timothy Reynolds and squeegee worker