Murderer of Ephraim Gordon during Baltimore robbery sentenced to life in prison

December 11, 2024   

A Baltimore court sentenced 19-year-old William Holloman to life in prison and 50 years of probation yesterday (Tuesday) for the murder of Ephraim Gordon in 2021. Holloman was convicted in July of first-degree murder, attempted robbery and weapons offenses. Gordon, a 31-year-old member of a Chabad family in Jerusalem, arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, for his cousin's wedding, which took place on Lag BaOmer, and was shot dead in the chest during an attempted robbery while walking to his relatives' home. According to a report on the Yeshiva World website, Baltimore Municipal Court Judge Melissa Finn, who presided over the case, recommended that Holloman be sent to a mental health program. The sentence was handed down after three other defendants - William Clinton, Omriyon Anderson and Rashid Morris - who were also involved in the murder and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. During the trial, it emerged that the group had spent the evening driving a stolen car and committing a robbery. Holloman, then just 16, denied any involvement in Gordon’s death during a statement in court. "I still maintain my innocence. I did not kill this man," he said – addressing Gordon’s family. However, David Ryder, the victim’s cousin, noted in court the reckless and dangerous nature of the group’s actions. ”You go out together and go on a journey that could involve murdering someone – that’s what your crime was.' Ephraim Gordon’s family described him as a kind-hearted and life-loving man. Ryder told the media: 'It was very moving, and our whole family relived it. Justice was done." Ephraim is buried in Israel.