Jury Finds Aberdeen Man Guilty of First-Degree Murder in Stabbing Death of 16-Yr-Old; Faces Life in Prison

From the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office:

On November 28, 2012, after one hour of deliberations, a Harford County jury found Terrence Daryell Wanzer, aged 22, guilty of First Degree Murder for the stabbing death of Thomas Burdsall Jr., aged 16, that occurred on January 8, 2011 at the victims home on Edmund Street in Aberdeen.

The evidence presented by Deputy State’s Attorney Diana Brooks in the three day trial was that the Wanzer had been at the victim’s residence along with three others, playing video games and socializing. The victim and Wanzer argued resulting in the Wanzer stabbing the unarmed teenager in the heart with a knife. The victim was pronounced dead at Harford Memorial Hospital after efforts to revive him failed. Wanzer presented an alibi defense at trial which the jury rejected.

Sentencing has been scheduled before Judge Angela Eaves for February 5, 2013 at 9:00 am. The Defendant could be sentenced to life in prison.

The case was investigated by Detective Donald Licato of the Aberdeen Police Department.