‘Two paths’ collide in trial over killing of Prince George’s Co. anti-violence activist – WTOP News
Is it a tale of different paths, or the way alcohol can turn you into a different person? That’s what a jury in Prince George’s County, Maryland, will decide this week after the trial of a D.C. man charged with murdering an antiviolence activist began.
Jury selection took all day Tuesday, and on Wednesday opening arguments began in the case of Terrelle Bailey, who is charged with murder in the shooting death of Neil McDonald. The 33-year-old gunned down at Jasper’s restaurant in Largo in November 2024 was the leader of the nonprofit Stay Solid, which aimed to combat gun violence and improve mental health.
McDonald started the nonprofit after his brother was shot and killed five years before he was.
In opening arguments, deputy state’s attorney Jonathon Church described the case as a tale of two paths; McDonald, the anti-gun violence advocate, was trying to be a peacemaker in the hours before the killing, while Bailey was looking to cause trouble after a dispute over a woman. That argument, which happened inside the restaurant just after midnight Nov. 30, 2024, led the off-duty police officer working security to call for backup and eject Bailey, McDonald and others in the restaurant.
McDonald and others made it outside first, followed by Bailey.
“Before he walks out the door, he’s already decided what’s going to happen,” said Church, who told the jury that video would show Bailey reaching into his waistband for the gun used to kill McDonald, who was shot five times in the parking lot of the restaurant.
“The defendant starts to casually walk off as if nothing happens,” Church said.
Near the county’s main government building just around the corner, Church said Bailey then went on Instagram Live and said a guy who “played with me” at the restaurant is going to “be on Kilmoe,” referring to a social media account that documents violent crime in the region.
“That’s your first thought after killing a man?” Church asked.
But during his opening argument, defense attorney Brian McDaniel focused less on the two paths described by Church and more on how alcohol can make someone into a different person. Telling the jury Bailey had never met the victim before, he noted how alcohol changes the behavior of people, even when they’re good-hearted activists such as McDonald.
“Because we act differently when we drink,” McDaniel said, repeating that sentiment a during arguments.
According to McDaniel, Bailey and the woman at the center of the dispute had left McDonald and others behind at another restaurant once already. Others were picking a fight with Bailey, not the other way around, McDaniel said in court. He added McDonald was anything but a peacemaker that night, saying text messages will show it was McDonald who was being told to calm down.
The case features plenty of video showing repeated interactions between everyone, though it doesn’t come with any audio and the shooting itself wasn’t captured on video.
He closed his opening argument by saying Bailey was in fear, and that his client saw McDonald reach inside his waistband, implying Bailey thought McDonald was armed. He said he found it strange that it wasn’t a gun, but McDonald’s phone found in the crotch area.
“He thought he had to save his own life,” McDaniel said of Bailey.
He then reminded the jury that if they have even a single doubt about the case prosecutors were going to make, they had to choose to acquit.
The trial continues Thursday in Upper Marlboro.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.