A man has been sentenced to life in prison plus 35 years for the murder of a childhood friend, less than 48 hours after being freed from prison.
Matthew Crawley was sentenced to life in prison plus 35 years for fatally shooting Taijah Addison.
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Crawley was found guilty at trial of first-degree murder, using a handgun to commit a violent felony, and possessing a regulated firearm as a prohibited person, according to the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City.
On March 6, 2025, police responded to a report of a shooting in the 700 block of Yale Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found Addison, 38, in the driver’s seat of a blue Honda Odyssey van.
He was shot several times in the head and chest and pronounced dead on the scene.
Detectives were able to find video of the shooting from numerous angles, which showed a man, later identified as Crawley, exiting a house and walking up the street.
About a minute later, authorities reported that the Odyssey was spotted driving past the house before reversing and parking in front of it.
Crawley was then seen exiting the passenger side of the van, walking around to the driver’s side, and shooting into the driver’s side window several times.
Crawley stopped briefly before firing twice more into the window.
According to police, Crawley scooped up the casings and returned inside the home.
Authorities reported that no other people were observed exiting or entering the vehicle.
Crawley remained inside the house for approximately a minute before emerging and going in the 500 block of Yale Avenue, according to video surveillance.
Less than ten minutes later, police were hunting for the shooting suspect when they discovered Crawley dressed identically at the rear of the 500 block of Yale Avenue, near some garbage.
Authorities also discovered a gun with casings that were analyzed and confirmed to be consistent with those from the crime site.
Officials say Crawley was released from prison 48 hours before the shooting after serving a 10-year term for assault and use of a weapon in a violent felony in Baltimore County.
Crawley was also convicted of assaulting a corrections officer while in prison.
Nothing can undo the devastating loss suffered by Mr. Addison’s loved ones. Our hearts remain with them as they continue to grieve a life taken far too soon. The facts of this case reveal a deliberate and senseless act of violence committed just 48 hours after the Defendant was released from prison—a heinous act that ended the life of someone he knew and trusted. The Defendant’s actions demonstrate that he wishes to spend the rest of his life in jail, and our office has given him what he asked for,” said State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, via a press release. “Today’s sentence of Life in prison plus 35 years reflects the severity and depravity of this crime and ensures that the individual responsible will never again be able to harm our community. We are grateful for the diligent work of law enforcement and prosecutors, and we hope this outcome provides some measure of accountability and reassurance to the victim’s family that justice has been served.
Crawley is now sentenced to life in prison.
