One Year for Witness Intimidation

from the office of Patricia C. Jessamy:

THELMA WATKINS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON FOR WITNESS INTIMIDATION, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, & CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ASSAULT

Baltimore, MD – October 24, 2008 - In August 27, 2008 a Baltimore jury convicted Wayne Morris, 22, of the 300 block of South Calhoun Street of second-degree murder, five counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of robbery deadly weapon, two counts of attempted robbery deadly weapon, four counts of first-degree assault, and four counts of conspiracy to commit robbery deadly weapon. This conviction followed four hours of deliberation and a six day trial.

While awaiting trial, Morris made numerous phone calls from the Baltimore City Detention Center attempting to prevent testimony in the home invasion case. Morris was charged with witness intimidation, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit assault after investigators reviewed more than 36 phone calls Morris made to Thelma Watkins and others. In those phone calls, Morris commanded and directed Watkins to take action against the witnesses in the murder case in an attempt to prevent their testimony at his trial. Morris was heard in many calls, played in open court, describing how he wanted to get out of jail and come home, and needed help to eliminate witness testimony to thwart his murder case.

On or about April 26 Thelma Watkins and another woman broke into A Kuper Avenue residence to assault a witness to the home invasion. Subsequently she was indicted on charges of witness intimidation, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. Thelma Watkins provided testimony in Morris’ witness intimidation trial and was sentenced this morning by the Honorable John N. Prevas to 10-years suspend all but 1-year for her role. She was also sentenced to 5-years suspend all but 1-year with 3-years probation for obstruction of justice and 10-years suspend all but 1-year with 3-years probation for conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. Ms. Watkins was out on bail prior to her sentencing this morning.

A co-defendant in the home-invasion, David Marshall, was acquitted of murder, robbery and assault charges in April 2008. Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Shaffer of the Homicide Division has prosecuted these cases.
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