Stewart v. State

In this murder and assault case, in which both a father and son were charged but tried separately, we are asked to consider whether the trial court erred at the son’s trial by refusing to admit as a declaration against penal interest the father’s statement exculpating the son. Following a trial in June 2002, appellant Charles Stewart, Jr. (sometimes referred to as “Junior” or “Nookie”), was convicted by a jury in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County of numerous offenses, including first degree murder of John Butler, use of a handgun in a crime of violence, first degree assault of Omega…