Witnesses speak up, put home-invasion suspect in prison

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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - They’re called the “heroes” of Ravenwood Avenue.

It took three trials, three years and two determined witnesses to put the Baltimore man who terrorized Ravenwood Avenue residents away for nearly a century.

Baltimore City Circuit Judge Allen Schwait on Monday sentenced Terrence Wynn, 23, of Baltimore, to 83 years in prison for a home invasion robbery that netted him $40,000. But that was only the latest chapter in what’s become a perennial struggle for witnesses Curtis Stokes and Antoinette Ricks to see Wynn get the prison time they say he deserved.

“I’m a religious person,” says Stokes, whom Wynn kept trapped in a basement and threatened to kill during a robbery. “You can’t escape the wrath of God. You think you’re going to get away with it, but you can’t.”

Ricks said Wynn’s cavalier attitude made the decision to testify against him easy.

“I am ecstatic,” she said of the sentence. “This was a long time awaiting. He laughed at me every time he walked in and out of the courtroom. This was something I really wanted.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Schaefer of the homicide division said the case is evidence that witnesses — and victims — who come forward to help police and prosecutors can get criminals off the streets.

“Everyone talks about witness intimidation in Baltimore, but people who keep coming to court can get satisfaction and justice,” she said. “These witnesses were the heroes of this trial.”

Wynn was convicted in January of robbery with a deadly weapon, first-degree assault, false imprisonment and several other counts stemming from the 2004 robbery.

On Aug. 28 of that year, Wynn entered Stokes’ home under the guise of purchasing a T-shirt, according to prosecutors.

But Wynn and an accomplice robbed and assaulted Stokes, Darlene Richardson and Sagundra Poole, making off with $40,000 in cash, goods, CDs, clothing, a cell phone and jewelry, then falsely imprisoned the three victims, prosecutors said.

Wynn had also been charged with the murder of Ricks’ son, Marshall Giles, but was acquitted by a jury of that charge in 2005. He avoided a conviction after his first home-invasion trial ended with a hung jury in 2006.

“The reason he beat the murder change was because he didn’t have witnesses,” Stokes said. “He intimidated them.”

Ricks said she spoke to other citizens about testifying in the latest trial.

“If you really feel threatened, think about it,” she said. “This is a way you can get rid of him.”

After Monday’s sentencing, Ricks was elated, feeling that justice for her murdered son had been done.

“She still lost her son, but I’ve never seen her happier than she was that day,” Stokes said.

Even with the conviction and sentence, Stokes said he still can’t shake the memory of the day Wynn committed the home invasion.

“I’ll be 67 in July and I never thought I’d live this way: In fear,” Stokes said. “I relive that day every day.”

lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com

SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY

EMAIL STORY

PRINT STORY

126 days ago: U.S. attorney hires former supervisor

194 days ago: Solving crime with a skeleton police force

502 days ago: Shooting victim was murder trial witness

506 days ago: Baltimore County man is shot dead

512 days ago: Pay increase, new precinct announced for sheriff’s office

513 days ago: Man, two children found dead in Barnesville woods

514 days ago: Eight of nine Prince George’s businesses shut down last week are open again

514 days ago: Police: No suspects found in Gwynn Oak slaying

514 days ago: Hair, blood found under suspect’s car may not go to trial

514 days ago: Carroll woman charged with DUI after car bounces off embankment