3.10.11: King Convicted for His Role in Attempted Armed Robbery that Resulted in Murder
March 10, 2011 -- A Baltimore Cit Circuit Court jury convicted Donyea King today of charges stemming from a 2008 attempted armed robbery that resulted in murder.
At 1:45 a.m. on June 24, 2008, Phillip Gaddy and another individual, having just concluded their work day, parked their vehicle near a convenience store at the intersection of Abbotson Street and Harford Road. Gaddy exited the car and attempted to enter the store, but discovered that it was closed. As he returned to his car, Donyea King and two unknown males followed him. As King stood close to Gaddy at the car door, one of the other men brandished a handgun and demanded Gaddy's possessions. When Gaddy reached into his pockets, the gunman shot him in the chest. Evidence of a second gunshot was found on the vehicle.
Gaddy's companion drove the victim to Good Samaritan Hospital for medical attention, but Gaddy was pronounced dead at 2:34 a.m.
Gaddy's companion identified King in a photographic array. And later, during a search of King's residence, police officers recovered several handguns and a box of .22 caliber rounds. One of the weapons was loaded with six live rounds and two spent casings.
For his part in the crime, King was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to use a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Scheduled for sentencing on May 2, 2011, King faces a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Assistant State's Attorny Bethany Durand prosecuted the case.