1.31.11: Brown Convicted of Attempted Murder, Rape for Attack in Park
January 31, 2011 -- A Baltimore City Circuit Court jury convicted William Vincent Brown today of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree rape for his attack of a woman in Leakin Park on April 13, 2003.
Brown beat, raped, and severed the ear of his victim. The formerly cold case was able to proceed based, in part, on a DNA match. In 2008, Brown was arrested on a felony drug charge, which required the submission of a DNA sample. That sample resulted in a direct match with the previously unidentified assailant in the 2003 attack.
After two weeks of testimony by nearly 20 witnesses, including six experts, the 12-person jury returned their verdict following just three hours of deliberations.
Scheduled for sentencing in March, Brown faces a maximum of 50 years in prison.
"The importance of DNA evidence in this case cannot be overstated, but ultimately we prevailed as a result of the couragesou testimony of the victim who was willing to come forward and face the defendant despite this horrific attack," State's Attorney Gregg L. Berstein said.
Assistant State's Attorneys Diana Smith and Katherine Smeltzer prosecuted the case.