Jury Convicts One, Acquits Another in Baltimore Mass Shooting

Cassandra McRae found guilty of first-degree murder, while Tavon Singleton cleared of all charges.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:05pm

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An extreme close-up of a spent bullet casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct flash, conceptually representing the gritty details and high stakes of the Baltimore mass shooting trial.A sharply divided jury's verdict exposes the challenges of prosecuting complex, high-stakes criminal cases in Baltimore.Baltimore Today

A Baltimore jury delivered a split verdict in a high-profile mass shooting case, convicting 37-year-old Cassandra McRae of first-degree murder while acquitting her 35-year-old co-defendant Tavon Singleton of all charges. The trial centered on a deadly January 2025 ambush on York Road that left one woman dead and two others injured.

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions in complex, high-stakes criminal trials, especially when eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence are limited. The acquittal of Singleton also raises questions about the thoroughness of the police investigation and potential biases in the justice system.

The details

Jurors found that McRae orchestrated the Jan. 22, 2025 attack, which was supported by surveillance footage and audio of her signaling the shooters to open fire on Antoinette Jennings' car. McRae was convicted on charges including first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, firearm use, conspiracy, and reckless endangerment. However, the jury acquitted her of a few charges, including attempted first-degree murder and assault. Meanwhile, the defense successfully challenged the state's sole eyewitness identification, arguing it was "shaky" and "rehearsed" after the witness saw an Instagram post of Singleton before the trial.

  • The shooting occurred on January 22, 2025.
  • The trial took place on April 3, 2026.

The players

Cassandra McRae

A 37-year-old woman convicted of first-degree murder and other charges for orchestrating the deadly 2025 ambush.

Tavon Singleton

A 35-year-old man who was acquitted of all charges related to the 2025 mass shooting.

Antoinette Jennings

A 52-year-old woman who was killed in the January 2025 ambush on York Road.

Dana M. Middleton

The Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge who presided over the trial.

Daniel Mooney

The defense attorney who successfully challenged the state's case against Tavon Singleton.

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What they’re saying

“The state's investigation was 'selective' and detectives 'reverse-engineered a theory' while ignoring DNA from other potential suspects and failing to preserve the crime scene.”

— Daniel Mooney, Defense Attorney

“The witness identification was 'shaky' and 'rehearsed' after the witness saw an Instagram post featuring Singleton's face before the trial, creating 'highly suggestive circumstances' for her testimony.”

— Daniel Mooney, Defense Attorney

“The defense's claims were 'shiny distractions,' and Cassandra McRae was the mastermind behind the conspiracy.”

— Assistant State's Attorney

What’s next

No date has been set yet for Cassandra McRae's sentencing, where she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the first-degree murder conviction.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions in complex criminal trials, especially when eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence are limited. The acquittal of Tavon Singleton also raises questions about potential biases in the justice system and the thoroughness of police investigations.