March 19, 2024
Annapolis, US 37 F

Jury finds man guilty in Severn shooting

guiltyAnne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams announced that an Anne Arundel County jury  found 22-year-old James Hawthorne guilty on six counts related to firing a weapon in a Severn community last fall. The verdict was announced earlier this week.

After a three day trial and three hours of deliberation, the jury found James Hawthorne guilty of First- and Second-Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in a Violent Crime, Wear, Carry and Transport of a Handgun, Firearm Possession with a Felony Conviction and Reckless Endangerment. Two of the weapons offenses each carry a mandatory 5-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole.

Mr. Adams commended Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Knight, who prosecuted the case. “Mr. Knight did a great job explaining the facts of this very difficult case to the jury and I am very pleased that the jury found the defendant guilty on all six counts,” he said.

Mr. Knight was hired in January by Mr. Adams to lead a newly created unit to prosecute Anne Arundel County’s most dangerous offenders in an effort to take these offenders off the street and reduce violent crime in Anne Arundel County. 

On November 15, 2014, Anne Arundel County police responded to the area of Dunfield Court at Stillmeadows Drive in Severn for reports of shots fired. While en route, officers were advised a man wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt shot at another man at that location. The suspect ran toward Durness Court, where he was apprehended by responding officers. A witness identified Hawthorne as the shooter. Additionally, Hawthorne’s hands and sweatshirt tested positive for gunshot residue.

The State’s Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the hard work and cooperation of the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their assistance in this case.

Sentencing for Hawthorne is scheduled for June 18 in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis. Hawthorne is currently being held without bond at Jennifer Road Detention Center in Parole.

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