Suspect sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting that left him widowed

By Ashley Oiler
– June 18, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-lethal shot | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 35-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on June 17 for a shooting in the Franklin Square neighborhood last summer that left his wife dead.

Jamal Piles appeared in court with his attorneys, Amanda Savage and Gabrielle Fortunato, before Judge Robert K. Taylor, Jr. of the Baltimore City Circuit Court. The judge sentenced Piles to ten years in prison for second-degree assault, along with 10 years, the first five. without the possibility of parole for use of a firearm in a violent crime, concurrent with an additional five years for reckless endangerment.

Piles was also convicted of one count of possessing a loaded handgun on his person, but the charge was merged with use of a firearm into a violent crime sentence. Piles was convicted of all four counts on Feb. 28 during a jury trial.

According to police reports, Piles and his wife were involved in a shooting on June 6, 2023, in the 1300 block of Booth Street, near Franklin Square, and during the incident, his wife was fatally injured.

According to previous reports, the defense argued that Piles acted in self-defense, while the prosecution said Piles was the aggressor. Savage said earlier that Piles, a rapper and label owner, arrived at the scene to negotiate his appearance in a song, but after a gunman fired shots, he took a defensive stance to save himself and his wife. female.

Piles' wife's sister and son spoke emotionally before the verdict. They blamed Piles for putting his wife in a situation that cost her her life. His son said Piles “was a coward” and only cared about himself during the incident, not his wife's safety.

The prosecution recommended a maximum sentence of 38 years total, the first five without the possibility of parole. In its statement, the prosecution said this incident was a prime example of the problem of gun violence in Baltimore, which leads to the deaths of good people like Piles' wife.

Savage and Fortunato recommended a minimum of four years for second-degree assault, 12 years for use of a firearm in a violent crime and five years for reckless endangerment and carrying a handgun on one's person. person. They reiterated that Piles had already lost the love of his life and was remorseful. Savage said he was a changed man.

Ultimately, Piles was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the first five without the possibility of parole. He will have to register as an armed offender upon his release.

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