2018 stabbing death of friend he called 'a brother' brings prison time for Hagerstown man

A Hagerstown man was ordered to serve 20 years in prison Tuesday for the 2018 stabbing death of a close friend he called “a brother.”

Brandon Alexander Lewis was sentenced to the maximum 40 years in prison for second-degree murder with 20 years suspended. However, he could be eligible for parole in about seven years because he would reach eligibility after serving half his time and has credit for the more than three years he has already spent in custody.

After the sentencing proceeding ended, the family of the victim, 23-year-old Justin Darnell Green, expressed disappointment and Washington County State’s Attorney Gina Cirincion was visibly angry.

“Justin’s life is worth more than 20 years,” Cirincion said. “We don’t think it reflects the severity and brutality of the crime.”

Green’s stepfather, Alfonzo Walton, said he respects the justice system, but feels that the sentence was “a great injustice."

“I hope (Lewis) will man up,” Walton said. “Don’t appeal.”

“As a family, we have to move forward,” said Rebekah Robinson, Green’s aunt.

Green’s mother, Jesynah Green, was present for the sentencing but did not address the court.

Afterward, she expressed her disappointment in the sentence and acknowledged that the family can’t change it.

The trial: Trial starts in 2018 stabbing death on George Street

The verdict: 'Self-proclaimed brother' of fatal stabbing victim faces 43 years in prison following verdict

More: Hagerstown girl killed in 2020 homicide leaves lasting memory in education, community

Lewis, 32, was found guilty Aug. 27 of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and carrying a dangerous weapon with intent to injure following a jury trial in Washington County Circuit court.

At the sentencing, the prosecution and defense agreed that some details were hazy regarding the fight that led to Green's Dec. 27, 2018, death at the duplex the men shared on George Street. They differed, however, on whether Green's death was premeditated.

Lewis said it was an accident fueled by alcohol and drugs.

"I'm not a monster," he said to Green's family seated in the courtroom. "I'm the same guy who came to your house every day."

Lewis said he loved them, and that causing the death of a friend he loved "is an impossible burden to bear."

"I will still lay my apology at your feet," he said.

Noting that Lewis accepted responsibility, defense attorney Mikhaila Miriam McNichols asked Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson to impose a sentence within guidelines that called for 15 to 25 years in prison, based on Lewis' relatively minor criminal record.

"The hardest thing for Brandon will be that even if he becomes physically free, he will not get freedom from what he has done," McNichols said.

Cirincion asked Wilkinson to go above the guidelines and impose the maximum 40 years in prison on the second-degree murder charge.

She said Green sustained six stab wounds, and that it was "ludicrous to say that this was an accident."

"This was a brutal attack," Cirincion said.

Green's family also asked Wilkinson to impose the maximum penalty.

"Whenever I see Justin's kids, it's a punch in the gut," Walton said. "They speak of their dad and know he is in Heaven, but they miss their dad.

"We try to be strong on our face, but on the inside we have a lot of sleepless nights."

Robinson addressed Lewis directly and said that although he has apologized, he pleaded not guilty and put the Green family through the trauma of a trial.

"We learned that it wasn't a simple accident like you explained to me, but a calculated act to take his life," she said.

Lewis' mother, Sarah Lewis, asked for "mercy and forgiveness." She spoke of him being raised in the church by two parents and taught to love others.

She said he was in gifted and talented programs in school, received scholarships and was engaged in activities such as band, sports, crossing guards and an NAACP youth group.

"Brandon had a productive life," she said. "It's unfortunate what happened."

Wilkinson noted that trial testimony portrayed a violent attack that included a stab wound to Green's heart that would have caused his death in seconds.

He said he had given the case a lot of thought and imposed the maximum 40 years on the second-degree murder charge with 20 years suspended because Green's death was not an accident. The remaining charges merged for sentencing.

He also placed Lewis on five years supervised probation upon his release and ordered him to have no contact with the Green family or two women who testified at his trial.

Wilkinson said he chose the penalty because judges are charged with crafting sentences that protect the public, promote rehabilitation, act as a deterrent and impose punishment.

"I'm not sure the punishment through sentencing will ever be greater than the punishment you put on yourself," he told Lewis.

Lewis spoke again to the Green family as he was led from the courtroom.

"I love you guys," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown man ordered to serve 20 years in friend's stabbing death