In the summer of 2021, a tragedy unfolded within a Curtis Bay, Maryland home that would capture the attention of the Baltimore area. A 15-year-old male, Dasan 'DJ' Jones, a promising violinist and a member of the all-county orchestra, was found deceased. The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear, but the investigation would soon focus on his stepfather, a Baltimore City police officer named Eric Banks Jr. Initially, Banks attempted to mislead investigators by claiming that his stepson had left the residence, leaving his personal belongings behind. However, the persistence of law enforcement led to a search of the home.
During the search, officers made a grim discovery. Dasan Jones's body was found unresponsive, concealed in an attic crawlspace. As the reality of the situation became apparent, Eric Banks became combative with the officers at the scene. He struggled with them and even attempted to disarm one of the officers, leading to a call for backup. During the altercation, Banks reportedly made statements such as, 'my life is over. Choke me. Choke me. Choke me.' He was subsequently taken into custody.
The investigation that followed uncovered disturbing details. The medical examiner determined that the cause of Dasan Jones's death was asphyxiation. Evidence collected from the scene included what appeared to be blood-stained clothing that had been hidden in a dresser. Prosecutors believe the motive for the murder was a selfish act of punishment directed at his estranged wife, who had been granted a protective order just hours before her son's death.
Facing a mountain of evidence, Eric Banks Jr. chose to enter an Alford plea to second-degree murder and attempting to disarm a police officer. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that prosecutors have enough evidence to secure a conviction. Banks was subsequently sentenced to 42 years in prison for his role in the death of his teenage stepson.
