A Baltimore City jury failed to reach a verdict on Sept. 21 in the Matthew Harper Jr., 30, murder case, more than a week after his trial began for the 2024 shooting and death of Damien Parker, 26. The jury was deadlocked on first-degree murder, firearm use and handgun charges, while a second first-degree murder charge was dismissed.
The case was argued before Baltimore City Court Judge Cynthia H. Harper who declared a mistrial.
Harper was charged in connection with Parker’s shooting on Oct. 7, 2024, on the 2300 block of Harford Road near the intersection of Harford Road and Normal Avenue. Parker was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A medical examiner determined that he died from multiple gunshot wounds…