Brooklyn Man Receives Life Sentence for Second Murder in Anne Arundel County

The Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office office today announced the sentencing of Jaden Crowner.  Crownner, 21, has received a life sentence in connection with the 2020 murder of an individual at an Annapolis apartment complex. According to State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess, the crime occurred under the pretense of a smartphone sale. This represents Mr. Crowner's second murder conviction and life sentence within the past two years.

This new sentence will be served consecutively to the life sentence he received in 2023 following a guilty plea for another murder, where all but 50 years of the sentence were suspended.

State's Attorney Leitess indicated in a press release that Walters Elangwe was meeting with Mr. Crowner for what he believed to be a transaction involving a smartphone when Mr. Crowner fatally shot him. Ms. Leitess emphasized that this second conviction underscores Mr. Crowner's profound disregard for human life and the significant danger he poses, asserting that the imposition of this life sentence, in conjunction with his prior lengthy sentence, ensures he will no longer be a threat to the community.

The incident involving Mr. Walters Elangwe, age 29, transpired on July 11, 2020, in the 1100 block of Primrose Court in Annapolis. Mr. Elangwe had driven to this location with the intention of purchasing an Apple iPhone. Upon his arrival in the parking lot, he was approached by one individual, while a second person followed.

A witness reported observing an interaction at Mr. Elangwe's vehicle, subsequent to which a man standing next to the vehicle brandished a handgun and discharged multiple rounds through the windshield. Mr. Elangwe's car then reversed and collided with another vehicle before coming to a stop. He was transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

The witness further reported seeing the two men flee towards a side street, where they were joined by a third individual before departing through a wooded pathway.

Evidence, including cellphone records and surveillance footage, enabled law enforcement to identify Mr. Crowner as the perpetrator of the shooting.

In April 2023, he entered an Alford plea to charges of First-Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony for the killing of 19-year-old Devin Scott Freeman on February 27, 2022, behind Gonce Funeral Service in Brooklyn Park.

In the case of Mr. Devin Scott Freeman, Mr. Crowner had lured him to the vicinity of the funeral home under the guise of a marijuana sale. Security camera footage depicted a physical altercation between the two individuals, following which Mr. Freeman collapsed. Law enforcement received reports from witnesses regarding a deceased male, who was subsequently identified as Mr. Freeman. His wallet was found to be empty, and he was missing his shoes, shirt, and jacket. Police later discovered Mr. Freeman's burnt backpack nearby, along with other missing personal effects.

A medical examiner determined the cause of Mr. Freeman's death to be homicide resulting from gunshot wounds. Social media records indicated that Mr. Freeman had arranged to meet with Mr. Crowner for the purpose of selling him marijuana. A search of Mr. Crowner's residence revealed a black hoodie bearing Mr. Freeman's bloodstains.