Towson football player held without bail on attempted murder, armed carjacking charges

TOWSON, Md. (WBFF) — A 19-year-old Towson University football player facing multiple felony charges will remain behind bars after a judge ordered him held without bail Monday.

A hearing for Cordell Jefferson was held in a Baltimore County courtroom not far from Towson’s campus, where dozens of friends, family members, former coaches and fellow football players packed the room in a show of support. Every seat in the courtroom was filled, with some supporters forced to stand along the walls. Jefferson’s attorney said even the judge remarked on the unusually large turnout.

“When I say that I’ve never seen someone with so much support and love and community, I truly mean it,” Jefferson’s attorney, Jessica Rubin, said following the hearing.

Jefferson faces more than a dozen charges, including attempted murder, assault and armed carjacking, stemming from a shooting and carjacking last month outside the Liberty Place Apartments in Randallstown.

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According to charging documents, the victim, who has not yet been named, was waiting outside the Liberty Place Apartments in Randallstown on July 20 when two men approached and allegedly forced their way into the victim’s vehicle. Investigators say the victim was struck in the face with a handgun. Investigators then say the victim, “began pleading with both suspects not to take his car,” but when they resisted, the victim was reportedly shot in the arm as the suspects drove off in their car.

Charging documents go on to say investigators used surveillance video and cellphone records to connect Jefferson and 20-year-old Garrin Davis to the crime. Investigators allege Davis, not Jefferson, is the one who fired the gun.

Attorneys for the two young men pushed for their release Monday, describing the incident in court as a “drug deal gone wrong” and noting that neither defendant has a criminal record.

The judge ultimately ordered both Jefferson and Davis held without bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns about public safety.

Jefferson’s supporters, however, say the allegations do not reflect the person they know.

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Jefferson graduated from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, where former coaches and teammates described him as a leader and scholar athlete.

Former high school coach Cameron Wiggins called Jefferson a “special individual” who overcame significant adversity to get to where he is today. “Unfortunately, he was shot in eighth grade,” Wiggins claimed, “He was caught in the crossfire I think coming home from practice. Having that type of story to where he is now, I think that says a lot.”

Jefferson later joined Towson University’s football program. His attorney told the judge Monday that Jefferson is on an athletic scholarship and has a 3.5 GPA.

“I still stand 100% behind him and his family,” Wiggins said, “Maybe it’s wrong place, wrong time, and maybe it’s not him at all.”

Jefferson’s grandmother, Shavalle Clark, said she was disappointed by the judge’s decision but remains confident in her grandson.

“I’m going to let it go through the steps it needs to go through, and I’m quite sure he’ll be vindicated,” Clark said.

Jefferson’s attorneys also said he was arrested on Towson University’s campus.

In a statement to FOX45, Towson University said it does not comment on pending legal matters. The university confirmed Jefferson was on the Towson football roster last season. Although, he is not listed on the team’s current roster. “Beyond that, we are unable to share any additional information at this time due to student privacy laws,” the University said.

As for the victims recovery, Baltimore County Police say they, “do not have an update regarding the victim’s condition.”