Howard County sheriff's deputy was drunk and aggressive before shooting, defense claims

By Baltimore Witness Staff
– June 12, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 41-year-old Baltimore man on trial for the murder of Howard County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Demby tried to pull the victim away from him moments before shooting the off-duty deputy multiple times with a licensed firearm, the defense attorney revealed during opening statements on June 11.

Jewel Crowder faces charges of first-degree murder, use of firearm in furtherance of a crime or violent crime and inadvertent endangerment in connection with the fatal shooting of Deputy 23 outside Federal Hill's Wayward Bar & Kitchen in the 1100 block of South Charles. Street shortly after midnight on September 29, 2023. The defendant's trial began Tuesday morning before Judge Yvette M. Bryant in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

The evening of September 28, 2023 was supposed to be a night of celebration as the Baltimore Orioles sealed their spot in the playoffs after beating the Boston Red Sox, the prosecution said. However, later that night, Demby, his brother and a friend were drinking at Wayward, got into a fight at a bar and were kicked out of the establishment. An encounter with an aggressive bouncer then led to a street fight when Demby pulled out his firearm before walking away.

Shortly afterward, according to the account, Demby and his friend returned to confront the bouncer, who was now talking to Crowder. As Demby's friend tried to restrain him, Crowder allegedly shot the deputy seven times, including several shots as he stood over the fallen victim, the prosecutor said.

Baltimore Police Department officers raided Crowder's home within hours where they allegedly found a handgun found to be consistent with the murder weapon. Demby's firearm was also recovered, but it was fully loaded and showed no signs of being fired.

Defense attorney Roland Harris rejected the prosecution's “sanitized version” of events, saying Demby “had no reason” to have a gun on him that night given that he had been kicked out of a bar and had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.

Demby allegedly drew his gun on unarmed people while on South Charles Street. Harris said his client approached Demby with both hands outstretched, telling the victim to “stay away,” but to no avail.

The trial continued with testimony Tuesday and is scheduled to resume June 12.

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