Baltimore, MD – According to The Baltimore Sun, a Baltimore man convicted in a convoluted family plot to murder his great-aunt’s estranged husband has filed an appeal against his 85-year prison sentence.
Keon Wilson-Hawkins, 22, was found guilty last summer of first-degree murder, conspiracy, carjacking, and kidnapping in Frederick County Circuit Court. The case centered on the 2024 killing of 65-year-old Brice Boots, whose body was discovered stabbed and beaten inside an abandoned SUV on a Walkersville dairy farm.
Jurors deliberated for approximately four hours before delivering the verdict following a weeklong trial. Wilson-Hawkins received his sentence shortly thereafter, with the final five years designated as supervised probation. On Wednesday, he formally challenged the conviction, transferring the matter to the Appellate Court of Maryland in Annapolis.
Brian Zavin, chief attorney for the Office of the Public Defender’s Appellate Division, emphasized the importance of the appeals process. “This review is a critical component of our justice system,” Zavin stated, underscoring the office’s commitment to addressing any potential legal deficiencies in the prosecution.
Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith expressed confidence in the original conviction and sentence. His office anticipates cooperating with the state attorney general’s office throughout the appeal proceedings.
One of Wilson-Hawkins’ trial public defenders, Linda Zeit, indicated that the defense team is eager for the appellate review but declined further comment at this stage.
Prosecutors alleged that Wilson-Hawkins assisted his great-aunt, former Baltimore Police officer and Army veteran Frances Hamilton, in abducting and killing Boots amid their deteriorating marriage. The incident unfolded on January 10, 2024, when Boots’ body was found deep in a field, about 15 minutes north of Frederick.
According to the prosecution, Wilson-Hawkins ambushed Boots in his Pikesville bedroom, possibly catching him asleep. The assault was so brutal that evidence suggested someone remained behind to clean the scene while Boots was dragged from the home and transported westward.
Wilson-Hawkins reportedly admitted to authorities that he traveled to the Walkersville farm at Hamilton’s behest. Prosecutors further claimed he trailed the SUV containing Boots’ body to escort its driver back toward Baltimore. The identities of any additional occupants in the vehicles remain unclear.
Tragically, Hamilton died approximately one month later from a fentanyl overdose, which was ruled a suicide.
During the trial, Zeit portrayed Wilson-Hawkins as a victim of Hamilton’s manipulation and greed, noting their limited prior relationship. Testimony from Wilson-Hawkins’ mother revealed that communication between the relatives only began when Hamilton sought assistance with moving during her separation from Boots.
Hamilton had been dismissed from the Baltimore Police Department in early 2007. In 2010, she mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Baltimore City sheriff.
The case also implicated Wilson-Hawkins’ friend, Alonzo Epps Jr., who faces similar charges after text messages and a photograph linked him to Boots’ Pikesville home. Although his exact role in the Frederick County events is ambiguous, Epps is set for trial in May. His attorney, Matthew Williamson, was unavailable for immediate comment.
Authorities initially believed Epps was another of Hamilton’s nephews.
This appeal highlights ongoing scrutiny of familial ties in criminal enterprises within Maryland, particularly those intersecting with law enforcement backgrounds. As the appellate process unfolds, it promises to revisit the evidence and legal arguments in this high-profile conspiracy case.