Prince Frederick man indicted for February murder

A 27-year-old Prince Frederick man arrested in February after another man was found beaten, stabbed, unconscious and left for dead has been indicted for murder.

Thomas Eugene Harris II has been behind bars since his arrest for the murder of Shaquille Quadry Braxton, 30, also of Prince Frederick.

Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Detective William Freeland stated in charging papers that the two men allegedly got into a verbal argument on Feb. 15 in regards to Braxton visiting a child he shared with the 31-year-old woman who was, at the time, living with and romantically involved with Harris.

Braxton was found in a field off Fairground Road.

“Life-saving measures were utilized,” Freeland said in court documents. Braxton was taken to CalvertHealth Medical Center, where “it was later learned that Braxton had suffered from multiple stab wounds from an edged weapon,” Freeland stated.

Braxton was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

After learning from unidentified sources that Harris and Braxton had been arguing, deputies attempted to contact Harris at his home but failed to get a response.

Another sheriff’s office detective, Wyatt McDowell, was able to reach Harris on his cellphone. Harris told McDowell he was in Prince George’s County but that “he would voluntarily return to Calvert County to talk to detectives,” Freeland said.

The defendant waived his Miranda rights and spoke with McDowell and Detective Mike Mudd. During the interview, Harris “admitted to assaulting Braxton multiple times in the head until he was unconscious.” Freeland said.

The grand jury’s five count indictment charges Harris with murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and two counts of altering physical evidence.

An arraignment date in circuit court for Harris is pending.

Assistant state’s attorneys Timothy J. Maher and April Nicole Brown will be prosecuting the case.