State's Attorney's office to release inmate who murdered surgeon in 1982

BALTIMORE (WBFF) - Donald Braxton was 16 years old when he killed a 72-year-old doctor during a failed robbery attempt on the streets of Baltimore, in 1982.

Almost 40 years later, Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby has agreed to release him from jail.

Braxton is the latest prisoner to be reviewed by Mosby's Sentencing Review Unit (SRU), which considers releasing inmates who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 and who are older than 60 and spent more than 25 years in jail on a life sentence, or spent more than 25 years for a crime committed as a juvenile.

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Mosby said in a statement Thursday: “Mr. Braxton’s case is a testament to why we need to reevaluate excessive sentences imposed upon children. Mr. [Braxton] served nearly 40 years in prison and exemplifies what redemption and rehabilitation can look like in the criminal justice system. He recognizes more than anyone, the loss and grief he caused Dr. Franklin’s family and friends, and has remained committed to partaking in restorative justice support needed to ensure healing for this family.”

Braxton was one of six teens arrested for the crime, according to a press release. Braxton was the last one still in prison, after a jury found him guilty of felony murder, attempted robbery and using a gun to shoot Dr. George Franklin Phillips as the "prominent and well-respected surgeon" was headed to visit a patient at Provident Hospital.

The victim, a Morgan State University alum who served in the military as a surgeon, "was praised for being the type of doctor who would treat anyone in need, even if they could not afford it," according to the release.

After being jailed, Braxton earned his GED, his associate's degree and 74 college credits from Coppin State University. He also mentored juveniles and was Administrator Director for Project Turnaround, which was aimed at teen boys with behavioral issues. He also helped mentor other inmates through the Big Brother's Outreach Program, served as a junior counselor of the NAACP branch of Maryland Penitentiary, and was the prison's Youth Director for a 1990s mentoring program.

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He told The Baltimore Sun at the time:

We try to stress to kids that we don’t have all of the answers to all of the questions but I’m trying to prevent a black kid from going through what I go through daily.

Mosby's SRU worked with attorneys Gwendolyn Waters & Michael Lawlor of Brennan, McKenna & Lawlor, Chtd., and Gary Proctor of Gary Proctor, LLC.

The victim's family also spoke at the release hearing, according to the press release.

Dr. Phillips' family and Braxton's family "are very interested in participating in restorative justice."