OFFICE OF THE STATE’S ATTORNEY

FOR
BALTIMORE CITY
208 THE CLARENCE M. MITCHELL, JR. COURTHOUSE

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202

Patricia C. Jessamy Phone 443-984-1121

State’s Attorney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Information Contact: Margaret T. Burns

Chief, Communications & Governmental Affairs
Office (443) 984-1121 or Cell Phone (443) 474-7479
Or
Joseph Sviatko, Deputy Division Chief
Office (443) 984-1122 or Cell (410) 790-3248

MEDIA ADVISORY

ADRIAN MCFADDEN SENTENCED TO DOUBLE LIFE PLUS 175 YEARS WITHOUT

PAROLE FOR MURDER OF GEORGE JOHNSON

CO-DEFENDANT ANTHONY D. MILES SENTENCED TO 65 YEARS

MCFADDEN KILLED DRIVER OF CAR OVER PETTY

TRAFFIC DISPUTE

Judge Bernstein Comments on Witness Testimony

Praises Heroic Acts of Brothers

Baltimore, MD – March 24, 2009 – Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Adrian

McFadden, 31, of the 700 block of N. Payson St. to a double life sentence plus 175 years without
parole yesterday after he was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder,
attempted armed carjacking and multiple handgun and assault charges November 7, 2008. The
jury deliberated just over five hours in November 2008 before finding McFadden guilty of
murdering George Johnson following a petty traffic dispute that escalated on a summer day in
2007.

The jury acquitted co-defendant Anthony Davate Miles, 25, of the 400 block of Mt.
Holley St. of murder, but found him guilty of multiple assault charges. The jury convicted both
defendants of attempted armed carjacking charges in the 700 block of N. Payson St. The
attempted carjacking followed a traffic dispute that led to the murder of George Johnson, the
attempted murder of Avon Ball, and the shooting of an innocent bystander on July 6, 2007.

On July 6, 2007 George Johnson and Avon Ball, foster brothers who did not know the
defendants, were traveling in the 700 block of N. Payson St. to retrieve clothing items in a house
in that same block, when they were forced to turn their vehicle around due to a memorial block
party for a young child who was fatally injured by a vehicle days earlier. Although they turned
the vehicle around without incident, McFadden and Miles followed the vehicle’s occupants and
walked up the street to confront Avon Ball and George Johnson, the driver. Avon Ball’s infant
son was a passenger in the car.

Testimony at the trial showed that the accusations by McFadden and Miles escalated, as
they demanded the car with the child. Ball testified in the three-week trial that as he pleaded for
his life, his foster brother, George Johnson said, “shoot me”, at which point McFadden shot
Johnson four times as he ran up Payson St. and then pointed the gun at Ball, shooting him. Ball
suffered life-threatening injuries and has had major reconstruction surgery. Testimony also
revealed that McFadden shot an innocent bystander, a 17-year old girl and family friend, as he
chased his victims. Trial testimony also showed that after McFadden shot the victims he walked
over to Johnson and asked, “Is he dead yet?” and walked down the street polishing his gun with
his T-shirt. The State also presented evidence and testimony that McFadden attempted to thwart
the testimony of a State’s witness by sending a girlfriend to visit the mother of the witness to
convince her to have the witness change her testimony.

The jury deliberated about five hours after the State presented nearly a dozen witnesses in
a trial that lasted three weeks before the Honorable Charles Bernstein.

During sentencing proceedings yesterday, Judge Bernstein admonished a defense witness

who testified on behalf of the defendant. He noted and advised the State’s Attorney’s Office to
use more “tools in their toolbox” to pursue perjury charges against witnesses who fail to testify
truthfully. He doubted the truthfulness of her testimony saying that he found as a matter of fact,
and beyond a reasonable doubt, that she lied on the witness stand and that college officials and
the a professional licensing board should be notified as she continues to pursue a nursing degree.

Judge Bernstein also praised the bond of love between brothers Avon Ball and George
Johnson, and said that it was similar to the US Marine Bond and worthy of commendation.

Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Shaffer of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

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