Shondell Javon Middleton
La Plata, MD – La Plata, MD – Shondell Javon Middleton, 19 of Clinton, NC was found Middleton guilty of second-degree murder in Charles County Circuit Court on Sept. 15.
Middleton was facing first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of Jordan Anthony Lucas, 18 of Waldorf.
Defense Attorney James Papirmeister sought a bench trial over a jury trial in the case.
Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse told the court in opening arguments that Middleton chased Jordan Anthony Lucas, 18 of Waldorf, through the Adams Crossing community and stabbed him to death in the street.
The state’s first witness in the case testified she looked out of her second-story window May 7, 2015 and saw the stabbing in the street below her apartment.
“Based on all the evidence we had, we felt it was a first-degree murder case,” Charles County State’s Attorney Tony Covington noted. “Judge Martin is a good judge. I’m not upset with his ruling.”
He said he didn’t see premeditation, but more anger and reaction.
“He also took into account that they came over to his house,” he added. “They came there.”
The bottom line, he added, is that they got a conviction in a violent homicide case.
Instead of life in prison, which he faced in the first-degree murder charge, Middleton now faces 30 years in prison.
He will be sentenced Nov. 7.
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http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0916/openingargumentsheardinfirstdegreemurdertrial.html
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
