Owens v. State

As appellant Maurice Owens threatened two would-be heroin buyers at gunpoint, one of Owens’ companions opened fire. The question of first impression raised by Owens in this appeal is whether he can be convicted of attempted second degree murder for aiding and abetting in the shooting, even though the person charged as the shooter was previously acquitted of that crime. Following the lessons of Jeter v. State, 261 Md. 221, 274 A.2d 337 (1971), aff'g, 9 Md.App. 575, 267 A.2d 319 (1970), in which the Court of Appeals held that a defendant may be convicted as a principal in the second degree…