Killing Behind Funeral Home Prompts Plea In Anne Arundel County: Prosecutor

BROOKLYN, MD — A suspect recently entered his plea after a man was fatally shot behind a funeral home in northern Anne Arundel County, prosecutors said.

The state's attorney said 19-year-old Jaden Kemetrius Crowner of Brooklyn, Maryland entered an Alford plea last Friday in the 2022 killing of Devin Scott Freeman, also 19.

An Alford plea means the defendant maintains that they are innocent but acknowledges that the evidence would likely lead to their conviction.

Court records show that Crowner gave the Alford plea for first-degree murder, which is a felony, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, which is a misdemeanor.

“This was a senseless crime where one teen lured another to meet up for the sole purpose of robbing and murdering him,” Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a Monday press release. “This was a calculated plan and the defendant’s actions show that he has no regard for human life, and it is for the safety of our community that we are seeking a life sentence.”

Crowner's sentencing is scheduled for June 27 in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis.

Crowner is one of two suspects accused in this case. The other is still awaiting his trial.

The Investigation

Crowner was 18 at the time of the Brooklyn killing, which prosecutors said happened behind Gonce Funeral Service in the 4000 block of Ritchie Highway.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department was called to the funeral home just after 10 a.m. on Feb. 27, 2022, the state's attorney said.

The release said witnesses reported finding blood in the parking lot and a body, later identified as Freeman's, behind the business.

A medical examiner ruled the victim's death a homicide by gunshot wounds, prosecutors said.

The state's attorney said the victim was missing his shirt, jacket and shoes.

The release also said Freeman's wallet was empty and officers found a gun cartridge nearby.

Prosecutors said burned remnants of Freeman's backpack were found in a nearby alley.

The victim's jacket and shoes were also found nearby, the state's attorney said.

A witness reported that Freeman had several hundred dollars in cash the evening before his death, the release said.

Officers secured video from multiple security cameras. The footage showed Freeman getting dropped off at a 7-Eleven across the street from the funeral home. Freeman moments later met with another man, who pointed across the street. The two then crossed the road, prosecutors said.

The state's attorney said the video soon after showed a struggle followed by Freeman falling to the ground.

The release said police searched Freeman's social media accounts and found messages between Freeman and another person.

The other person asked to meet Freeman at the 7-Eleven to buy marijuana, prosecutors said.

The state's attorney said Freeman later texted the other person to tell him that he arrived at the convenience store.

The security cameras then caught the ensuing encounter, the release said.

Investigators said they identified Crowner as the man who met with the victim.

Prosecutors said detectives searched Crowner's home, located one block from the funeral parlor, and found the black hoodie worn by the suspect in the video.

The state's attorney said the sweatshirt was stained with the victim's blood.

Assistant State's Attorney Glen Neubauer prosecuted this case, and Judge Alison L. Asti presided over it.

Second Suspect

Nearly 4 months after the shooting, officers said they also arrested 19-year-old Devin Garrett Twigg of Nottingham in connection with the killing. Twigg was 18 at the time of Freeman's death.

Twigg's court records show that he faces charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery, which are both felonies, and four related misdemeanors.

Twigg's trial is scheduled to start May 15.

Both suspects are currently being held without bond, their case files said.

The press release did not clarify who is accused of firing the gunshots that killed Freeman.

Related:

• Nottingham Man Becomes 2nd Arrestee After Brooklyn Homicide: Police
• Brooklyn Homicide Suspect Charged With Murder: Police
• Man Found Dead Behind Business In Brooklyn: Police

This map shows the area where prosecutors said the shooting happened.