Judge denies request for acquittal in Maryland high school murder trial

Matt Hubbard, The Baltimore Sun on May 27, 2025

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BALTIMORE — After four days of testimony, prosecutors rested their case Tuesday in Harford County Circuit Court in the murder trial of Jaylen Prince, a 16-year-old charged with fatally shooting 15-year-old Warren Grant inside Joppatowne High School in September.

Prince faces numerous charges in the shooting, including first-degree murder.

After Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey rested her case, Prince’s defense attorney, Stacey Pipkin, made a motion to have Prince acquitted because of what she said was the state’s failure to prove the shooting was pre-meditated.

Healey said she believes the state adequately proved the shooting was premeditated because of strong evidence such as a cellphone video that captured the shooting. In the video, Prince is heard repeatedly telling Grant “I will kill you” before shooting him once in the chest.

A digital forensic expert also showed that Prince searched for “the most powerful hollow bullets” and had text messages on his phone showing he inquired about and later illegally purchased a handgun for $700, Healey said.

Harford County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Mahoney denied the defense’s request for acquittal.

The defense began presenting its case Tuesday afternoon.

Mahoney said last week he expected a verdict in the case on Wednesday.

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