In a case that has shocked Maryland and left two families devastated, a 34-year-old man, T. Moore, has been sentenced to three life terms plus 80 years in prison for the brutal killings of his eight-month-pregnant girlfriend, D. Middleton, and a 61-year-old store employee, A. Wondimu. The murders, which occurred in 2022, were marked by chilling brutality and a disturbing period of concealment, particularly regarding the body of Middleton, which Moore lived with for weeks after her death.
The Disturbing Crimes
Moore’s sentencing on Friday followed his convictions for the killings of Middleton, her unborn child, Ezekiel, and Wondimu. The crimes were committed in two separate incidents: the first, the shooting of Middleton and her baby, and the second, the murder of Wondimu two months later.
Prosecutors outlined the calculated nature of Moore’s actions, describing them as a flagrant disregard for human life. State’s Attorney J. McCarthy called the case one of the most horrific he had ever encountered.
The Murder of D. Middleton and Unborn Child
Surveillance footage from Moore’s apartment building revealed a heated argument between Moore and Middleton on the evening of October 9, 2022, just before 7 p.m. Investigators believe the couple returned to their apartment shortly after the argument, where Moore fatally shot Middleton seven times. At the time, Middleton was eight months pregnant with their son, Ezekiel, whom they had planned to name.
Following the shooting, Moore left the apartment an hour later and proceeded to travel across the country. Authorities later found that Moore had conducted internet searches about the decomposition of bodies, including terms such as “How long does it take for a dead body to smell?” and “How to move a dead body without being seen.” When Moore returned in early November, he continued to live in the apartment, alongside Middleton’s body, for several weeks. The gruesome details of his actions during this period shocked law enforcement and prosecutors alike.
The Murder of A. Wondimu
Moore’s reign of terror continued on December 8, 2022, when he walked into a store across from his apartment, a place he had previously been banned from.
Surveillance footage from the store shows Moore grabbing an iced tea and then throwing items at the store employee, A. Wondimu. Moore eventually pulled out a silver handgun, shooting Wondimu at point-blank range, and then fired additional rounds after Wondimu fell.
Moore fled the scene, but law enforcement quickly identified him and executed a no-knock raid on his apartment the following day.
What officers discovered inside Moore’s apartment was horrifying. Hidden beneath a blanket was the decomposing body of Middleton, the smell of which immediately greeted the officers upon entering the apartment.
Moore’s actions, both before and after the murders, were described by prosecutors as calculated and deliberate, casting doubt on any claims that his mental illness could have fully disconnected him from reality.
The Impact on the Victims’ Families
Middleton’s family has been left devastated by the loss of their daughter and unborn grandchild. At the sentencing, Middleton’s father expressed his frustration with Moore’s actions, stating, “I’d really like to hear why,” as he sought answers for the senseless violence. Wondimu’s widow also addressed the court, tearfully speaking about her deep grief, saying, “He was my everything. I am heartbroken.”
Mental Health Claims and the Trial Outcome
During the trial, Moore’s defense attorney argued that he suffered from schizophrenia, suggesting that his mental illness may have contributed to his violent actions. The defense maintained that Moore’s mental state disconnected him from reality, which allegedly explained his behavior.
However, the juries in both trials found Moore competent to stand trial and guilty of the murders. Prosecutors highlighted the calculated nature of Moore’s internet searches and his actions before, during, and after the murders as evidence that Moore’s mental illness did not fully impair his ability to understand his actions.
The Sentence and Final Ruling
Moore was sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 80 additional years for his other crimes. Both the judge and the jury deemed his actions beyond redemption, and the court’s decision brought an end to one of Maryland’s most disturbing and tragic cases.