ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland’s Appellate Court has upheld the convictions of two brothers stemming from a violent altercation outside a Glen Burnie bar that left a man with a traumatic brain injury, while also clarifying that certain legal defenses no longer apply to assault charges under state law.
In a decision filed April 2, 2026, the court affirmed the convictions of Terance Johnson Jr. and Teriquo Lamont Johnson in connection with a March 12, 2023 incident outside Frank’s Den, a bar and liquor store on Crain Highway.
According to court records, the incident began shortly before 11 p.m. when the victim approached the two men outside the bar. Surveillance video showed Terance Johnson swinging a can of spray paint at the victim and continuing to pursue him through the parking lot.
During the altercation, the victim struck Terance Johnson, knocking him to the ground. After being pulled away, the victim was later grabbed from behind by Teriquo Johnson and taken out of view of surveillance cameras. Moments later, both men were seen making kicking or stomping motions toward the victim before leaving the scene in a vehicle.
Emergency responders were called shortly after and found the victim unresponsive but breathing. He was transported to a trauma center, where he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and a subdural hematoma, according to the opinion.
A jury convicted Terance Johnson of first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation.
Teriquo Johnson was convicted of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and rogue and vagabond after evidence showed he entered and rummaged through the victim’s vehicle during the incident. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised probation.
On appeal, both defendants challenged their convictions, arguing the trial court made errors in jury instructions and that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdicts.
The appellate court rejected those arguments, finding there was sufficient evidence for a jury to conclude that Terance Johnson intended to cause serious physical injury based on his repeated attempts to strike the victim’s head.
The court also ruled that circumstantial evidence, including surveillance footage, was enough to support Teriquo Johnson’s conviction for entering the victim’s vehicle with intent to commit theft.
In addition to affirming the convictions, the court addressed a broader legal issue involving so-called “hot-blooded response” and “mutual combat” defenses. Judges determined those mitigation defenses no longer apply to first- or second-degree assault charges following changes in Maryland law.
The ruling stems from a shift in precedent that removed first-degree assault as a qualifying offense for felony murder, eliminating the legal basis for applying those defenses to assault cases.
The court further found that a jury instruction on flight was appropriate, citing evidence that the defendants left the scene quickly after the assault and drove back toward the area before departing.
Ultimately, the appellate panel upheld the lower court’s decisions in full, affirming all convictions and sentences in the case.
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