Man sentenced to 50 years for 2022 murder of pregnant girlfriend in Northwest Baltimore
A man was sentenced to 50 years in prison Wednesday for the 2022 murder of his pregnant girlfriend, according to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office.
Malik McCormick pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in January for the killing of Jaymyra Burrell, 19, who was shot around 3 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2022, in the 5600 block of Woodmont Avenue.
Police said Burrell was shot multiple times.
Members of Burrell's family spoke out after the sentencing hearing.
"We went from planning a baby shower to planning a funeral," said Eddie Duffin, Burrell's uncle. "Now, closing this chapter, we can continue living for Jaymyra."
Family attorney Thiru Vignarajah says it was important for family members to see justice being served for Burrell and her unborn child.
"Zuri was her name," Vignarajah said. "She was a few months from being welcomed into this world. Both of those lives, both of those loses, were reflected by the court and by the justice system."
Vignarajah said a measure of justice brings solace to the family. He said they can continue to remember and honor Burrell's legacy.
"Every time this happens in Baltimore, another family is enduring the unimaginable," Vingarajah said. "We've all seen the pain and suffering that violence does in this city, but losing a loved one. Losing a loved one who is expecting a child, it is too much to bear."
McCormick's arrest
Before McCormick's arrest, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and former Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison called on the public to help find Burrell's killer.
Later, investigators identified McCormick as a suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest.
"For those who may be close to this individual, someone is allowing someone who shot a pregnant woman to sleep in their bed, on their couch at night," Scott said.
McCormick was arrested on July 1, 2023, in connection with the shooting after a traffic stop in South Charleston, West Virginia. He was later extradited from West Virginia to Baltimore.
According to charging documents, Burrell was shot nine times, and a witness told detectives McCormick admitted to the murder.
McCormick was charged with first-degree murder and multiple handgun violations.
Family demands justice
Burrell's family called for justice after McCormick's arrest in a press conference led by the family's attorney, Thiru Vinarajah.
Eddie Duffin, Burrell's uncle, said the family was planning for Jaymyra's baby shower before the killing.
"At the time, we were planning for her baby shower. We then had to turn around and bury her," Duffin said. "We don't want it to be just a number. We want justice. Justice for Jay."
"She was the life of the party. She brought a smile to everyone's face. She also cared deeply. She was an active member first of her youth ministry, and then her adult ministry. She gave back, she was a participant in mentoring programs... The world didn't get a chance to see this bright candle burn," Vignarajah said.
