4.7.11: Rawlston Convicted for Double Shooting in Reservoir Hill
April 7, 2011 -- A Baltimore City Circuit Court jury convicted John Rawlston on Tuesday of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and other charges for shooting two men in the Reservoir Hill area during the summer of 2009.
Patrolling the Central District's 800 block of Lennox Street on July 18, 2009, police officers heard what they immediately recognized as gun fire and observed Rawlston fleeing the scene on foot. During the ensuing chase, the officers saw Rawlston remove a handgun from his waistband and toss it into a nearby gutter. While they were apprehending Rawlston, another unidentified person drove to the location of the discarded gun, picked it up, and drove off, according to a witness. The driver was never identified, and the firearm was never recovered. Back at the crime scene, officers found two victims — Joe Stover and Marcus Green — with multiple gunshot wounds.
One of the victims was able to identify Rawlston as the shooter, and Rawlston's right hand tested positive for gun shot residue.
After a three-day trial and almost eight hours of deliberation, the jury found Rawlston, 31, guilty of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, and wearing, carrying, and transporting a handgun. He is scheduled for sentencing before the Honorable Edward R. K. Hargadon on July 6, 2011, and faces a maximum sentence of a life in prison for the attempted first-degree murder, 25 years for the assault, and 20 years for each handgun offense.
Assistant State's Attorney Keri Borzilleri prosecuted the case.