Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, announced today the conviction of Jaylin Brown, 17, Bel Air, Maryland, for Murder in the Second Degree, First Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony or Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under the Age of 21.
On August 3, 2018, deputies of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Edgewood High School, 2415 Willoughby Beach Road, Edgewood, Maryland. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a vehicle in a ditch in front of the high school. Inside the vehicle deputies found victim, 19 year old Thailek Willis, who suffered from a gunshot wound to his left back. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Mr. Willis died from his injuries the same day. After a thorough investigation by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Jaylin Brown was charged with the murder of Thailek Willis, and the handgun used by Mr. Brown was recovered by the Sheriff’s Office.
After a six-day trial in Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Angela M. Eaves, a jury returned a verdict of guilty of Murder in the Second Degree, First Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony or Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under the Age of 21 on December 12, 2019. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Mark Meehan and Matthew George. “I am very proud of the case that was presented to prove Mr. Brown’s guilt,” said Mr. Peisinger. “I hope the verdict brings the family of Mr. Willis some measure of peace and closure.”
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered. The sentencing is currently scheduled for March 20, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Eaves. The Office of the State’s Attorney for Harford County would like to thank the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, emergency response personnel, the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for their outstanding work and dedication in conducting the investigation that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Brown.