Baltimore officer charged with murder after stepson found hidden in crawl

[ad_1]

A Baltimore police officer has been charged with murder in the death of his 15-year-old stepson, whose body was found hidden in a crawl attic.

Anne Arundel County authorities said Wednesday during a morning news conference that Eric Banks, Jr., 34, was initially arrested for assaulting a police officer and attempting to disarm an officer. First- and second-degree murder charges, as well as child abuse leading to death, were later added, according to online court records filed on Tuesday.

He is being held without bond.

The murder charges relate to the death of Dassan Jones, Banks’ stepson.

The teen’s body was found last week during an Anne Arundel County home search in Banks after Jones’ mother called police and said she was unable to reach her son by phone. The mother, who is married to Banks, told police she believed her son was being held against his will, according to NBC affiliate WBAL in Baltimore, citing indictment documents.

On Wednesday, authorities said officers went to Banks’ home and questioned him. Banks told police that Jones left and did not bring any of his belongings with him, according to Anne Arundel police.

Police said officers searched the home and found Jones in a crawl space in an attic upstairs. Bloodstained clothes were also found hidden in a dresser drawer.

“This is a heartbreaking, shocking and definitely horrific case,” Police Chief Amal Awad said. “This was a young man with a brilliant future, but his life…was tragic.”

Police said that after his hands were tied, he tried to grab an officer’s gun. It took several officers to arrest Banks, Awad said.

During the altercation, officials told reporters that Banks said “my life is over” and asked an officer to strangle him.

Authorities said a medical examiner ruled that Jones’ death was asphyxiation and that the method was murder.

According to WBAL, Anne Arundel police were previously called to Banks’ home after his wife requested a protection order in June. She said she suffered psychological and emotional abuse and accused Banks of stalking her.

Warren Brown, a lawyer for the banks, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Brown previously told the Baltimore Sun that his client said he found Jones dead in a bathtub and believed the teen had committed suicide.

Baltimore Police said Banks has been working with the department since 2018 and has already been suspended for an undisclosed reason. A police spokesman said he could not give specific details because an internal affairs investigation was still underway.

After Banks was arrested, he was held without pay while the case was being investigated by authorities in Anne Arundel County, according to a Baltimore police spokesperson.

In a statement, Balitmore Police Commissioner Michael S. Harrison said: “The alleged actions of Officer Banks are not only unfortunate, but shocking to conscience. This is a classic example of why I advocate independence and authority to fire officers when they face outrageous criminal allegations. Our department will continue to work closely with the Department of Police. Anne Arundel County Police during this ongoing investigation.”

Minyvonne Burke is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

[ad_2]