Trial Underway for Morgan State Student Who Was Stabbed to Death

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- The trial is underway for the suspect charged in the murder of a Morgan State student stabbed to death over a small amount of cash.

If found guilty, Harry Malik Robertson could spend the rest of his life behind bars. The 21-year-old is charged with first- and second-degree murder for stabbing Gerald Williams to death outside a housing complex near the Morgan State's campus in February.

"Our investigation suggests that this incident is the result of a dispute over a small, inconsequential amount of money," said City police commissioner Kevin Davis.

Prosecutors say Williams was with a friend, who tricked a drug dealer into breaking a counterfeit $50 bill.

Police say more than a dozen people witnessed the murder but it took several weeks before anyone would come forward to help police identify Robertson as the suspect.

"Getting people comfortable to understand that they aren't going to allow a killer amongst them," said City police spokesman T.J. Smith.

"It's so unreal. It's like the nightmare of the nightmare," said Jonee Brown, the mother of the victim.

Brown and Gerald Williams spoke with WJZ shortly after their son was killed.

"It's very sad that many, not just our family has been touched by this, but his family, I'm sure," said Brown.

The suspect and his victim were the same age and grew up in Bowie. Like Williams, Robertson, attended Morgan before transferring to Coppin State.

As the trial continues, two families will try to move forward.

"Closure to your heart, closure to this? You don't close this. It goes on," said Williams, the victim's father.

It's unclear if Robertson and Williams--who were the same age, and grew up in the same area, knew each other.

One of the state's key witnesses did not come forward to police until 6 weeks after the murder.

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