A food delivery driver who fatally shot a transgender woman in the parking lot of a Bel Air apartment community last year was found not guilty Wednesday of first- and second-degree attempted murder.

Brian Delen, 48, of Bel Air, was found guilty of second-degree assault and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence in Harford County Circuit Court after a trial in which his attorneys argued he acted out of fear and on his own. – Defense when Meghan shot Lewis.

The jury deliberated for hours. They needed to determine why, not whether Delen fatally shot Lewis.

Two nights after Christmas, Delen went to English Country Manor, an apartment community in Bel Air, for a food distribution. According to charging documents, Delen and Lewis got into an argument after Delen addressed him as “Sir.” Authorities said Delen began driving and he followed, leading to the shooting. Witnesses were heard during the hearing conflicting accounts of what happened that night.

In closing arguments, Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey said Lewis died without shoes and had no jacket on when he walked outside his home. Healey said Lewis was “not ready for war.” However, Delen had a loaded semi-automatic pistol, two magazines, a folding knife and two magazines in his car the night Lewis died.

Healey said Delen intended to kill and was waiting for the “right opportunity”; He shot Lewis “in the dark, in the rain” with low visibility. Healey said the evidence showed Delen did not attempt to retreat and had ample opportunity to do so.

Witnesses called by the prosecution who were near the shooting said they did not hear any argument between Delen and Lewis. A witness heard someone say they had been shot. Another said they saw Delen’s car pull over before shooting at Lewis.

Delen did not try to help Lewis while he was bleeding from the gunshot wound, Healey said.

“He wanted her dead because he didn’t want her to live to tell this story,” Healey told jurors.

After shooting Lewis, Delen called 911 and asked for an ambulance. He told the operator that he shot someone who tried to attack him and push him back into the car. “I went towards the dare,” he told the operator. The bullet hit Lewis in the left abdomen.

Assistant public defender Katrina Smith said the December 2023 night was a chance encounter. Delen came to the neighborhood to distribute food.

“A tragedy can occur without any crime occurring,” Smith said.

Smith said there were inconsistencies in the statements of some witnesses. Many consider Lewis a friend.

“Memories are imperfect. Memories can be erased. “Memories can deteriorate over time,” he said.

Lewis, an advocate for LGBTQ rights, known in society For her love of the Grateful Dead and for being a social butterfly. He hosted two days before he died a christmas dinner party For gay people who don’t have family or homes to go to for holidays.