PA Bill Number: HB335
Title: In inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons.
Description: In inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons. ...
Last Action: Removed from table
Last Action Date: May 1, 2024
Maryland Self-Defense: Teen acted in self-defense in fatal Odenton stabbing :: 08/07/2015
ODENTON, Md. —A 16-year-old boy acted in self-defense when he killed a 19-year-old Crofton man after a house party and burglaries, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams said. Police said Jesse Gage Brousseau, 19, of Odenton, and Allen Johnson, 19, of Crofton, were suspected in the burglary of a home July 10 in the 700 block of Sunny Chapel Road in Odenton.
Police said a 16-year-old boy held a party at the home July 9 before guests left around 1 a.m. The burglary was reported around 3 a.m. July 10, but police later learned that several people had broken into the home on more than one occasion the same night.
Police said an altercation involving the 16-year-old, Brousseau and Johnson took place outside the home after the final break-in, at which time Brousseau was fatally stabbed.
"The Anne Arundel County Police Department has investigated and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the tragic events of the morning of July 10 that ultimately led to the death of 19-year-old Jesse Brousseau, as well as multiple criminal charges against 19-year-old Allen Johnson, also of Crofton, and two other individuals," Adams said.
"My office has been an active participant in cooperation with the Anne Arundel County Police Department's investigation. In combination with personal observation after visiting the scene, along with others in my office, I have personally reviewed the interviews, re-examined the physical evidence, and applied the law of the State of Maryland to the facts ultimately revealed in this investigation," Adams said.
Police said a 17-year-old girl, who was with Brousseau and Johnson at the time of the incident, was charged in a juvenile citation with first-degree burglary and theft. Also, Donovan Christopher Brown, 18, of Odenton, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of theft and third- and fourth-degree burglary.
"I support the charges filed against defendant Allen Johnson and the two other individuals. Moreover, my determination is that criminal charges are not warranted with respect to the actions taken by the 16-year-old who was home at the time of the burglary because I believe he acted in lawful self-defense," Adams said.
Adams said he personally met with the Brousseau's family to share his decision. He said Bryant and Cathy Brousseau released the following statement regarding the death of their son:
"This is not who Jesse was. He was a good kid. Jesse was going to college to study Criminal Justice. Jesse was caught up with the wrong people in a bad situation that night. We love him and we miss him, and would like our privacy respected."
"I hope that the tragic consequences of these events serve as a reminder to all young people and their parents of how easy a high school party, without parental control, can quickly turn deadly. Our office encourages ongoing vigilance by parents and neighbors alike, as our children need support and structure more than ever," Adams said.
Family and friends set up a tribute to Brousseau with a memorial on Winer Road in Odenton.
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/officials-teen-acted-in-selfdefense-in-fatal-odenton-stabbing/34575138
