Man Acquitted in Baltimore Drive-By Shooting

Travis Cothran cleared of all charges after three-day trial

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:55pm

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A 46-year-old man accused of injuring a victim in a drive-by shooting in Baltimore was acquitted on all charges by jurors after a three-day trial. Travis Cothran faced multiple charges, including attempted murder and assault, for the October 2024 incident, but was found not guilty on all 10 counts.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors can face in securing convictions for violent crimes, even with eyewitness testimony, and the importance of thorough investigations and strong evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The details

The prosecution's case relied primarily on the testimony of Cephus Lawrence, 58, who was originally accused of being the driver in the drive-by shooting. However, the defense argued that Lawrence had an ulterior motive for identifying Cothran as the shooter, as Lawrence himself faced charges related to the incident. After closing arguments, the jury deliberated for just a few hours before returning a not guilty verdict on all 10 charges against Cothran.

  • The drive-by shooting occurred on October 29, 2024.
  • Cothran's three-day trial began on January 23, 2026.
  • The jury returned a not guilty verdict later that same day.

The players

Travis Cothran

A 46-year-old man who was accused of a drive-by shooting in Baltimore but was acquitted on all charges.

Cephus Lawrence

A 58-year-old man who was originally accused of being the driver in the drive-by shooting, but testified against Cothran at trial.

Natalie Finegar

The defense attorney who represented Cothran and argued that Lawrence had an ulterior motive for identifying Cothran as the shooter.

Judge Hope Tipton

The Baltimore City Circuit Court judge who presided over Cothran's trial.

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What they’re saying

“The prosecution's case relied upon the testimony of Cephus Lawrence, 58, who was previously identified as the owner of the car seen in CCTV surveillance footage and was originally accused of committing the crime.”

— Robyn Fielding-Jones, Author

“In her closing argument, defense attorney Natalie Finegar claimed Lawrence had an ulterior motive for identifying Cothran as the shooter because he was charged with conspiracy to commit attempted murder for his role in the incident.”

— Robyn Fielding-Jones, Author

What’s next

Lawrence faces a hearing on February 23 regarding his own charges related to the drive-by shooting incident.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors can face in securing convictions for violent crimes, even with eyewitness testimony, and the importance of thorough investigations and strong evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.