Towson man sentenced to life without parole for killing his wife in Edgewood
A Harford County judge sentenced a man to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Friday for fatally shooting his wife at her Edgewood home in December 2022.
In February, Jamar Wise, 43, of Towson, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of Krisha Blackwell, his wife. Court records showed that Wise filed for divorce from Blackwell before the shooting, and was scheduled settlement hearing on March 9, 2023.
Wise had a restraining order placed on him for domestic violence as well as harassment and stalking charges earlier in 2022, according to Harford County’s State’s Attorney Office.
On the day of the killing, Wise went to the Blackwell’s home which violated the protective order, county State’s Attorney Allison M. Healey said at a news conference on Friday.
Wise went to Blackwell’s home in a rented vehicle to prevent her from noticing he was waiting, Healy said. When Wise got out of the vehicle, Blackwell’s 15-year-old daughter called 911 with the assistance of Blackwell’s foster daughter.
Wise argued with Blackwell about the money he owed to her, and then, he went to the rented vehicle to get a stolen firearm, Healey said.
A neighbor’s cell phone video captured Wise firing two rounds, killing Blackwell with the second shot, according to Healey. Along with the video, Blackwell’s daughter and two foster daughters were in the home at the time, and two other teenagers saw the shooting.
Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a protective order violation within minutes of the shooting and found Blackwell dead from the gunshot wounds.
Blackwell’s daughter who called the police identified Wise as the shooter. Two days later, Wise was arrested by Pennsylvania officers after being recognized at a gas station in Hanover, Pennsylvania.
“Kisha was an extraordinary individual, mother, and foster parent through Arrow Child and Family Ministries, providing homes to children who have experienced significant trauma and who needed therapeutic foster homes,” Healey said at the news conference.
“She served her community in many ways, and Harford County lost a valuable member of our community at the hands of this defendant. She will forever be missed by her children, family, and loved ones.”
Wise’s attorney, Terry Lavenstein, did not immediately respond for comment.