Attorney Admits Error, But Judge Refuses to Let Rodgers Forge Getaway Driver Withdraw Plea

TOWSON — The getaway driver in a 2024 shooting that critically injured a Rodgers Forge man unsuccessfully sought to withdraw his guilty plea Thursday after his attorney acknowledged she mistakenly told him the judge could not sentence him to more than 15 years in prison.

Kamar Thompson's attorney, Alexandria Chun, told Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Robert Cahill that she incorrectly explained the non-binding plea agreement to Thompson and his family before he entered an Alford plea in April.

"I'll be very candid, Your Honor, this is the way I explained it to Kamar," Chun said. "This is the way I explained it to (his aunt), Ms. Thompson, that this was a cap. I was totally in error."

Chun said Thompson, who has an IQ of 74 and had never been through adult court, believed the plea agreement capped his sentence at 15 years. She argued that because of her mistake, Thompson did not fully understand the consequences of his plea and should be allowed to withdraw it.

Cahill rejected the request.

"The idea that you said something to him privately that's different from the record is ridiculous," the judge said.

Cahill noted that Thompson, 18, had been fully advised in open court of the terms and parameters of the plea, which was non-binding, meaning the attorneys could recommend a sentence, but the court remained free to impose any lawful sentence.

"There's not a reason in the world to allow the withdrawal of this guilty plea under the circumstances," Cahill said.

Thompson was 16 when prosecutors say he drove the getaway car after Kai Wilson shot Mark McKenzie during an attempted daytime robbery in the Towson neighborhood of Rodgers Forge on Sept. 13, 2024.

Thompson entered an Alford plea to attempted armed robbery and using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, acknowledging prosecutors had sufficient evidence to convict him while maintaining his innocence. Under Maryland law, an Alford plea is treated the same as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes.

Prosecutors recommended a sentence of 15 years in prison. Chun argued for a lesser sentence, citing Thompson's age, difficult upbringing and comparatively limited role in the crime.

Instead, Cahill imposed consecutive sentences totaling 25 years of active incarceration, exceeding both the State's recommendation and the Maryland sentencing guidelines. He sentenced Thompson to 20 years on the firearm conviction, with the first five years to be served without the possibility of parole, and to 20 years for attempted armed robbery, suspending all but five years.

According to prosecutors, the shooter, Kai Wilson, approached McKenzie from behind as McKenzie unloaded soccer balls from his vehicle in preparation for a youth soccer game the following day. Security video showed the masked gunman approach McKenzie, pointing a gun at him. The two struggled and Wilson fired a single shot that struck McKenzie in the abdomen. Wilson fled to a waiting vehicle driven by Thompson. The two later used bleach to wipe down the car, which had been stolen.

McKenzie underwent five surgeries and more than 20 medical procedures after the shooting. He spent 12 days on life support and 38 days in intensive care.

On the same day Thompson entered his plea, Wilson entered a binding plea agreement, accepting responsibility for attempted second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. Earlier this month, Cahill sentenced him to 40 years in prison, with all but 25 years suspended.