In the late hours of a spring evening in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a dispute over a small debt tragically escalated, ending the life of 26-year-old Cordell Nash-Matthews. On May 16, 2015, at approximately 11:35 p.m., Nash-Matthews was shot and killed near the intersection of 14th and Vernon Streets. The male victim's sister was also wounded in the incident, suffering a gunshot to her forearm.
The events that led to the fatal encounter began months prior when Dominique Baines, then 20
years old, borrowed $40 from Cordell's sister, Tiara Nash-Johnson. On the night of the shooting, Tiara and Cordell encountered Baines. When Cordell confronted Baines about the debt, an argument ensued. During the altercation, Baines pulled out a handgun. Despite his sister's pleas not to shoot, Baines fired multiple shots. Cordell Nash-Matthews was struck in the back and both arms, succumbing to his wounds. His sister sustained permanent nerve damage from a gunshot to her wrist.
Following the shooting, Dominique Baines fled the scene. However, he later arranged to surrender to the Harrisburg City Police Chief and was taken into custody without incident. The investigation was led by Detective Richard Gibney of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, who gathered statements from multiple eyewitnesses who were willing to testify against Baines. No firearm was ever recovered in connection with the murder.
On March 15, 2016, after jury selection and opening statements, Dominique Baines, then 24, chose to plead guilty. He pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, attempted murder, and firearms violations. Following his plea, he was immediately sentenced to a term of 30 to 60 years in prison. The Dauphin County Deputy District Attorney had initially sought a first-degree murder conviction. The victim's family agreed to the plea deal.
