In the summer of 2022, a dispute in southwest Baltimore turned deadly, claiming the life of 56-year-old Bernard Jackson II. On the late Saturday night of June 11, or the early moments of Sunday, June 12, officers were called to the 3600 block of West Lexington Street for a reported shooting. Upon arrival just before midnight, they discovered Jackson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
He was a Black male.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed to a suspect, 47-year-old Clifton Curtis Hodges. According to the police investigation, the tragic events of that night stemmed from a dispute over a woman. Jackson had reportedly gone to the location to retrieve a cell phone he had left behind, accompanied by a female witness. It was then that Hodges allegedly emerged and opened fire on the vehicle Jackson was in. The gunfire fatally wounded Jackson but left the female witness unharmed. In the days following the shooting, Hodges was located and taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Clifton Curtis Hodges was charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as assault and firearm offenses. He was held without bond as he awaited trial. In November 2022, Hodges, through his attorney, rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence. The case was proceeding toward a trial, with the testimony of the female witness being a crucial element for the prosecution.
However, in a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, the key witness in the case against Hodges was found deceased in her home in February 2023, just a week before the trial was scheduled to commence. It was reported that she had previously received a threatening phone call warning her against testifying. The death of this essential witness dealt a significant blow to the prosecution's ability to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, on March 3, 2023, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office made the decision to enter a nolle prosequi, effectively dropping all charges against Clifton Curtis Hodges for the murder of Bernard Jackson II.
