According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Cheryl McCally, and after a three week trial, a jury found defendants, Malik Hney, 16, of Kensington, and Malachi Hney, 17, of Kensington, guilty of Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder for the death of Taon Lamont Cline, 20, of Frederick, MD. Cline was fatally shot along the 19500 block of Gunners Branch Rd. in Germantonon April 22, 2022.
The jury returned its verdict late in the afternoon yesterday, October 3rd. 2023. The Hney brothers each face the potential of life in prison when they are sentenced. The sentencing date is TBA. The investigation revealed the defendants and two additional juvenile co-defendants were involved in an ongoing dispute between gangs in the Germantown and Gaithersburg areas. The victim was associated with a rival gang.”
Background: At approximately 10:50 p.m. on April 22, Montgomery County Police – 5th District officers responded to the 19500 block of Gunners Branch Road for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim, later identified as 20-year-old Taon Lamont Cline of Frederick, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers immediately engaged in lifesaving efforts until Montgomery County Fire Rescue arrived on scene. Cline was pronounced deceased on the scene.