Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger announced that Christopher James Engles, 21, was convicted today by a jury of First Degree Premeditated Murder, Robbery with a Dangerous or Deadly Weapon and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.
At 11:13 p.m. on February 26, 2019, the Baltimore County Police were called to the intersection of Hickory Falls Way and Hickory Hurst Drive in Perry Hall on the report of shots fired. When they responded, they found Taylor Webb, 20, in a car suffering from gunshot wounds. She had been shot once in the face and another time behind her right ear into her head. She was killed as a result of the gunshots.
The police conducted an investigation into the killing and discovered that Ms. Webb had been in what family and friends would describe as a dysfunctional relationship with Christopher Engles. Evidence was presented at trial to show that Engles had lured Ms. Webb to the area she was killed by cellphone. Engles then confronted Ms. Webb, took her cellphone and shot her twice. The evidence showed that Ms. Webb was killed with a .38 caliber revolver.
The police were able to discover a photograph, taken eleven days prior to the murder, of Engles holding a revolver which matches that description.
“This case involves the combination of two extremely serious, and sometimes tragically fatal, issues today in our society- gun violence and domestic violence,” said State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
“We must continue to aggressively pursue and bring to justice those who choose violence in these situations.”
The case was presided over by Judge Paul Hanley. No sentencing date has been set at this time. The State will be seeking a sentence of Life Without the Possibility of Parole. The case was prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Robin Coffin and Assistant State’s Attorney Natalie Scurto.
