Gambrills man faces manslaughter charge after altercation in Howard County leaves man dead

A Gambrills man who was arrested for an assault last week is now facing a manslaughter charge after the person he allegedly struck died from their injuries, Howard County Police said Thursday.

Initially arrested on Aug. 28 on assault charges, Howard County Police charged Jaylin James McConnaughey, 32, with an additional charge of manslaughter days later.

McConnaughey struck Tevin Jarrett Sesker, 33, of Lanham, during an altercation last Friday in the 8800 block of Greenwood Place in Savage, police said. According to witnesses, Sesker earlier in the day “got into a verbal altercation” with a woman who was later identified as McConnaughey’s mother.

“McConnaughey struck Sesker, causing him to fall to the ground and strike his head,” Howard County Police said in a statement.

Sesker suffered from “facial, neck and cranial fractures, two blown pupils, a major brain bleed and blood in his urine. At the time, Tevin was not expected to survive,” according to charging documents.

After McConnaughey “punched” Sesker in the face, he allegedly said, “you’re not gonna disrespect my mom like that,” according to charging documents. A witness said they also heard McConnaughey say, “yYou should’ve apologized.”

Sesker was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in critical condition.

Howard County Police were notified on Tuesday that Sesker died as a result of his injuries. He was declared brain dead on Aug. 29, according to charging documents.

McConnaughey initially fled the scene, but county detectives were able to apprehend him in Baltimore.

Joseph L. Wright, McConnaughey’s attorney, said his client “will have a true self-defense claim in this matter. The deceased was the aggressor and attacker, and he had a deadly weapon.” Wright added that McConnaughey is an honorably discharged military veteran.

Following his Aug. 28 arrest, McConnaughey posted a $10,000 bail and was released. He was taken back into custody on Wednesday and is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center.

McConnaughey is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on his assault charges on Sept. 23. A preliminary hearing for his manslaughter charge is set for Oct. 2.

This story has been updated.