Annapolis, Maryland – An Anne Arundel County judge on Wednesday sentenced 21-year-old Jaden Crowner to Life in Prison for the 2020 murder of a man at an Annapolis apartment complex under the pretense of a smartphone sale, State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess announced. It is the second murder Crowner has been convicted of and sentenced for within two years.
The sentence will run consecutive to the sentence Crowner received for his prior murder conviction. Crowner, of Brooklyn, was convicted in 2023 of another murder, which he plead guilty to and received Life in Prison with all but 50 years suspended.
"Walters Elangwe met with the defendant for what he expected to be a quick sale of a smartphone. Instead, the defendant shot him without a second thought of the life he was taking," Leitess said. "This is the second murder conviction for this defendant, making it clear he has no regard for human life and is a significant danger. This life sentence, in addition to his previous lengthy sentence, ensures he is no longer a danger to our community."
On July 11, 2020, Walters Elangwe, 29, drove to the 1100 block of Primrose Court in Annapolis to purchase an Apple iPhone outside an apartment building. Once in the parking lot, a person approached his car while a second followed behind.
A witness told police they observed a conversation at Mr. Elangwe's vehicle. Soon after, he witnessed a man next to the vehicle brandish a handgun and fire multiple shots through the windshield. The victim reversed his car into another vehicle before coming to a stop. He was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
The witness reported seeing the two men standing outside the vehicle run to a side street, where a third person joined them before fleeing through a wooded pathway.
Evidence including cellphone records and surveillance footage led police to identify Crowner as the shooter.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorney Glen Neubauer and Assistant State's Attorney Brian Pritchard on behalf of the citizens of Anne Arundel County, with the Honorable Pamela Alban presiding.
This is the second murder Crowner has been convicted of in two years.
In April 2023, Crowner entered an Alford plea to First-Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony in the February 27, 2022 killing of 19-year-old Devin Scott Freeman behind Gonce Funeral Service in Brooklyn Park.
In this case, Crowner lured Mr. Freeman to the funeral home for a sale of marijuana. Security camera footage showed the two engaged in a physical struggle, with Mr. Freeman collapsing to the ground. Witnesses later called police to report a deceased man, later identified as Mr. Freeman. He was found with an empty wallet, and no shoes, shirt, or jacket. Police later found Mr. Freeman's burnt backpack nearby along with other missing items.
A medical examiner ruled Mr. Freeman's death a homicide by gunshot wounds.
Social media accounts showed Mr. Freeman had planned to meet with another man, later identified as Crowner, to sell them marijuana. During a search of Crowner's home, detectives found a black hoodie stained with the victim's blood.