LEONARDTOWN, Md. – State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Latres Javontae Cockerham, 26, of California, Maryland, was convicted of the first-degree murder of a 19-year-old victim and the attempted first-degree murders of five additional teenagers for his participation in a drive-by shooting that occurred on January 12, 2022.
“The Defendant deliberately maneuvered his vehicle as his co-defendants rapidly fired bullets into another vehicle on a busy road in broad daylight, which provided for the murder of one teenager and the extreme endangerment of five others, while putting the neighboring community and all other drivers on the road at risk. It is no small miracle that additional lives were not lost,” said State’s Attorney Sterling. “Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families. We hope that this verdict brings them some comfort.”
The Defendant will be held without bond pending a sentencing hearing. He faces a maximum penalty of six consecutive life sentences, plus eight years for related firearm charges.
Sergeant Austin Schultz and Detective Taylore Nauman of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were the lead investigators.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Jeff Maylor and Donna Pettersen prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.
The Honorable David W. Densford presided over the case.
Its not about what it costs to incarcerate or impart a death penalty. It is all about justice for he deceased whom has now no voice , a death penalty avenges his silenced voice and all whom have been impacted .. He placed no value on life hence we place no value on his life , therefore the death penalty is justice/ punishment for his actions and avenges all whom are affected by his immoral acts.
Death sentences send a message , we will not put up with murder.!
Our justice system is not about revenge
Why and how does a 26 yr old man end up with a total disregard for the life and lives of everyone in his community ? Where does he think he got
the right to put everyone in his community on death notice ! Just so he knows…it’s gonna be a long haul, what ever he gets . His life us done and over !