UPDATED: Austin Davidson Sentenced This Morning
UPDATED 7/6/23— 11:15 a.m. –Wicomico County Judge S. James Sarbanes has sentenced Austin Davidson to life without parole plus 66 years for the killing of then Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard in Pittsville. Officer Hilliard was just 41 and left behind a wife and family. He was posthumously made Corporal by Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis after his death.
Full Release from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department:
On July 6, 2023, the Honorable S. James Sarbanes, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, sentenced Austin Davidson to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional sixty- six (66) years of incarceration for the murder of Corporal Glenn Hilliard of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. In May of 2023, Davidson was convicted of First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, two (2) counts of Burglary, Firearm Use in a Crime of Violence, and six (6) additional gun related charges following a six (6) day jury trial presided over by Judge Sarbanes. Sentencing had been postponed to allow for a pre-sentencing investigation to be completed. Davidson has remained in custody pending today’s sentencing.
During the evening hours of June 12, 2022, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a
citizen advising that Austin Davidson was wanted and that he was in the area of the Pittsville Park. Corporal Glenn Hilliard was among the Deputies dispatched to the area to locate Austin Davidson, who had four (4) open warrants for his arrest. While patrolling the area, Corporal Hilliard observed a subject matching Davidson’s description walking along Gumboro Road. As Corporal Hilliard turned his patrol vehicle around, Davidson ducked into the Talbot Apartment complex and entered the stairwell of a building. As Cpl. Hilliard pulled his patrol vehicle to the end of the parking lot and in close proximity to the stairwell, Davidson exited the stairwell and began to flee around the building. Corporal Hilliard drew his agency issued Taser and began to pursue Davidson. As Davidson fled, the superiorly fit Deputy closed the gap to a distance of less than ten (10) feet, while repeatedly warning Davidson that he would be “Tased” if he did not stop fleeing. Davidson chose not to surrender and instead drew a fully loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, activated the laser sight, turned and fired multiple rounds at Corporal Hilliard. Tragically, two of the rounds struck Corporal Hilliard who was later pronounced deceased at Tidal Health in Salisbury, Maryland.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney (SA) Jamie Dykes said “Our community has suffered immeasurably at
the hands of Cpl. Glenn Hilliard’s killer. This Defendant earned and deserves the sentence justly imposed by Judge Sarbanes. I pray that Glenn’s legacy of service and kindness lives on every day in our community.”
SA Dykes commended the members of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police,
the Natural Resources Police, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office & Detention Center, the Worcester
County Sheriff’s Office, and allied agency personnel from all over the shore who assisted in the hours, days, and months following the tragic events of June 12, 2022. She specifically commended the members of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit for their hard work and diligence in the investigation, and her co- counsel, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Patirizia Coletta, who assisted with the prosecution of the case.
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UPDATED – 7/6/23 – The man found guilty in the murder of Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy Glenn Hilliard will be sentenced today. In May, 22 year old Austin Davidson was found guilty on all charges – including 1st and 2nd degree murder and multiple weapons offenses. The prosecution is seeking a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
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UPDATED – 5/8/23 – A Wicomico County jury found Austin Davidson guilty on all charges in the murder of Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy Glenn Hilliard last June. Judge S. James Sarbanes has ordered a presentencing investigation. Davidson will remain in jail before sentencing. The prosecution is seeking a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
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UPDATED – 5/3/23 – Day 3 of the murder trial for Austin Davidson saw six witnesses testify. That included a crime scene technician, medical examiner and a firearms examiner.
The Talk of Delmarva was also told that Davidson’s ex-girlfriend also testified about Snapchat messages between the two before the night of the shooting where her that he would die before any cop tried to put him in a cell again – and any cop that tries is “gonna die with me.”
The trial continues Thursday in Salisbury.
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UPDATED – 5/2/23 – 5:55pm – Day 2 of the Austin Davidson trial saw the first witnesses called by the prosecution. Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis took the stand along with 10 other witnesses and DFC Glenn Hilliard’s body-worn camera was shown.
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UPDATED – 7:15pm – The Talk of Delmarva has learned that a jury has been chosen in the Austin Davidson murder trial. The first witness will be called Tuesday morning.
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Jury selection is expected to begin today in the Circuit Court of Wicomico County for Austin Davidson who is charged in the murder of Wicomico County Sheriff’s Corporal Glenn Hilliard in June of 2022. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
Davidson was indicted on 18 charges, including 1st and 2nd degree murder and multiple weapons offenses. He has been held without bond since his arrest on June 12, 2022 at the Allegany County Detention Center in Cumberland, MD. The Prosecution is seeking life without the possibility of parole.
Davidson was arrested after a massive manhunt in the Pittsville area. Deputy First Class Hilliard, who was posthumously elevated to Corporal, was attempting to arrest a fugitive wanted on multiple felony warrants in several jurisdictions when he was shot by Davidson as he exited the Talbot Apartments.
