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Brian Delen said he shot Lewis in self-defense, but he still faces 30 years in prison for her death.
The Maryland food delivery man charged with shooting and killing Meghan Riley Lewis outside her apartment days after Christmas in 2023 was convicted on lesser charges but acquitted of her murder on Wednesday.
Brian Delen, 48, fatally shot Lewis in a parking lot outside her apartment on December 27, 2023. He was convicted of second-degree assault and use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime but was acquitted of first and second-degree murder by jurors following a seven-day trial in Harford County Circuit Court.
Delen reportedly told police he was delivering food to another resident in the apartment complex when he got into a dispute with Lewis after he allegedly misgendered her, according to charging documents seen by local CBS affiliate WJZ-TV in January.
“Are you waiting for a food delivery, sir?” Delen reportedly asked Lewis.
The two exchanged heated words before Delen returned to his car and drove away but then stopped and shot Lewis while still in the apartment complex’s parking lot, according to the charging documents.
Delen called 911, administered first aid, and remained at the scene until police arrived. He admitted shooting Lewis but claimed it was in self-defense. Police transported Lewis to a local hospital where she later died.
At trial, prosecutors presented evidence they said showed there was no argument between Delen and Lewis before the shooting.
“He just leaned out of his car and shot her,” prosecutors described the testimony of one witness, local Fox affiliate WBAL reports.
Harford County State Attorney Alison Healey expressed disappointment in the verdict but respected the jury for its efforts.
“Obviously, this is not the outcome for which we were hoping,” Healey said. “We stand by our arguments to the jury that the incident that took the life of Meghan Riley Lewis was undoubtedly a first-degree murder. While we are disappointed and saddened by the outcome, we respect the jury's decision in this case and their role in the judicial process.”
Healey promised prosecutors will seek “the maximum sentence allowed by law, which is 30 years, five of which will be required to be without the possibility of parole.”
Little was known about Delen prior to trial, but his social media included numerous posts about firearms, including one where he speaks of his Glock as an emotional support mechanism.
Lewis’s friends remembered her “was a very open, loving, and sparkly individual,” telling WJZ she had helped found a patient support group for trans people who came to the city in search of affirming health care.
“She opened her doors, her heart, everything for LGBT individuals and was one of the strongest advocates in supporting them,” one friend told the station.
