Defense Rests in William Stewart Murder Trial
Attorneys in the Baltimore City Circuit Court conclude their closing arguments for the 27-year-old defendant.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Crime — General
Closing arguments concluded in the murder trial of 27-year-old William Andre Stewart III at the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Stewart faces charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons offenses related to two separate shootings.
Why it matters
The trial centers on conflicting interpretations of forensic and location data, forcing jurors to weigh circumstantial evidence against the defendant. The outcome hinges on whether cellphone records and vehicle proximity are sufficient to prove his involvement in the two homicides.
William Andre Stewart III is currently defending against charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons offenses in the Baltimore City Circuit Court. The case includes evidence of six shell casings from a scene on the 4700 block of Loch Raven Boulevard.
The players
William Andre Stewart III
The 27-year-old defendant is facing multiple serious criminal charges including first-degree murder.
Manuel Luis
The 19-year-old victim was killed inside a vehicle on the 4700 block of Loch Raven Boulevard.
Travis Chance
The 16-year-old victim was killed during a shooting at a Subway restaurant on the 5600 block of the Alameda.
The details
Prosecutors claim Stewart was involved in the death of 19-year-old Manuel Luis on the 4700 block of Loch Raven Boulevard and 16-year-old Travis Chance at a Subway restaurant on the 5600 block of the Alameda. The defense highlighted a lack of physical evidence, noting that DNA found in a getaway vehicle did not match Stewart and no weapon was recovered from his home.
Timeline
Closing arguments were presented in the trial on October 26, 2026.
Legal Context
This case proceeds under the established framework of the Maryland sentencing guidelines for first-degree murder. The legal proceedings mark a critical test of how circumstantial digital evidence is weighed against a lack of direct forensic matches in the local justice system.
The conclusion of this high-profile trial brings focus to safety concerns regarding violent crime in the areas surrounding Loch Raven Boulevard and the Alameda. Residents may see continued police scrutiny as the court process moves toward a verdict.
The takeaway
Jurors are left to determine if cellphone location history provides enough evidence to sustain a conviction without a recovered weapon or DNA match. Understanding the limitations of circumstantial digital data is increasingly vital for public participation in the judicial process.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the region, visit the Baltimore Crime — General page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Baltimore Witness.
