In brief
Dayton James Webber, a professional cornhole player who lost his limbs due to a blood infection as a child, was charged with the murder of Bradrick Michael Wells during a conflict over a stolen firearm. Webber's attorney claimed he acted in self-defense as tensions escalated, while the court has ordered Webber to remain in custody without bail. The case is expected to go to trial, with a preliminary hearing set for May 2023.
LA PLATA, Md. (AP) — A quadruple amputee professional cornhole player acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a passenger in his car during a heated argument, his attorney said Wednesday.
Dayton James Webber, 27, appeared in Charles County District Court via videoconference for the bail review Wednesday, where Judge Patrick Devine noted that he left Maryland after the March 22 shooting of 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells and ordered Webber to remain jailed without bail.
Webber, who was extradited from Virginia and is charged with first- and second-degree murder, hasn’t entered a plea yet and is due in court for a May 6 preliminary hearing. He also faces assault and firearm charges.
Defense attorney Andrew Jezic told the court that Webber acted in self-defense and that he anticipates “a lengthy trial” to prove it.
After the hearing, Jezic told reporters that his client was “terrified.”
“The truth here is that he would have been a murder victim if he had not acted immediately in defense of his life,” Jezic said.
Family members of Webber declined to comment after the hearing.
Webber, whose arms and legs were amputated when he was 10 months old to save his life after he contracted a serious blood infection, is accused of shooting Wells, of Waldorf, twice in the head during an argument over a friend of Wells who allegedly stole a gun from Webber.
Karen Piper Mitchell, a deputy state’s attorney, said witnesses stated that Webber was upset over Wells’s continued friendship with the gun thief, which sparked the dispute.
Mitchell argued for Webber to remain in custody, highlighting that he drove to Virginia after the shooting and owns firearms.
According to police charging documents, following the incident, Webber stopped the car and asked two backseat passengers to help pull the victim out, but they refused and fled, flagging down police officers instead.
Webber allegedly drove off with the victim still in the car. Wells's body was later discovered by a resident in Charlotte Hall.
Detectives tracked down Webber's car in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he was found seeking medical treatment.
Webber was featured by ESPN in 2023 for his inspiring journey, showcasing his adaptability in various sports despite his disabilities.
