ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A suspended Baltimore police officer has entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder in the death of his teenage stepson.
News outlets report that Eric Banks Jr. entered the plea in the July 2021 death of 15-year-old Dasan Jones.
Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction.
Initially Eric Banks told officers that Jones had left the house, but Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Poma showed video of officers finding Jones unresponsive in a loft area.
Banks’ police powers were suspended before Jones’ death, and Baltimore Police said he was suspended without pay after he was charged. Sentencing is set for Dec. 9.