LA PLATA, Md. — A Maryland judge decreed Wednesday that Dayton Webber, a four-limbed amputee and cornhole player accused of homicide, would remain detained without bail as his legal proceedings advance.
Having been transferred to Maryland earlier in the week, Webber, a one-time professional in the American Cornhole League, had his initial court hearing in Charles County District Court via video link from a local detention facility.
The 27-year-old Webber stands indicted for homicide and aggravated battery, among various other counts, following his reported action of firing upon Brad Wells on March 22 as he traversed the periphery of La Plata, Maryland.
A state attorney informed the tribunal that law enforcement discovered a firearm within the vehicle, which matched the homicide instrument.
Webber’s legal counsel contended that he had been apprehensive about Wells and responded defensively.
The remains of Wells were discovered in a residential garden approximately 10 miles from where authorities presume the gunfire took place. Subsequently, law enforcement apprehended Webber beyond state borders at a medical facility in Charlottesville, Virginia, where, per legal filings, he reportedly paused to obtain medical care for an unspecified health concern. His white Tesla was located at an adjacent fueling station.
To date, police have secured a judicial authorization for search for Webber’s car’s flash drive, aiming to “safeguard any visual proof” of the purported offenses recorded by the Tesla’s numerous external cameras, as per Virginia judicial archives. Furthermore, they inspected Webber’s clothing and collected genetic samples from his arms, per a duplicate of the search warrant secured by ESPN.
During the gunfire incident, two other occupants were present in the rear seating area of the vehicle. The legal filings detail their testimonies to police but do not disclose the names of the informants.
The two occupants informed authorities that a dispute concerning “illicit substances, firearms, and a female” reportedly came before the firing, and that Webber requested their assistance to relocate the deceased’s remains from the car. They stated they declined and departed the vehicle as Webber absconded.
Webber and Wells were acquaintances who held a common passion for the pursuit of game and off-road motorcycle racing. They also seemingly romanced the same woman, yet it remains presently uncertain if she is the female mentioned in the dispute that informants reported to law enforcement occurred prior to the gunfire.
In a biographical feature from 2023, Webber’s parents informed ESPN that his limbs were surgically removed when he was 10 months old to preserve his life after he developed a bloodstream ailment that resulted in septicemia.
In a declaration released Tuesday, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office recognized Webber’s “particular health and movement requirements” as a four-limbed individual with amputations. The office stated it would not disclose precise details regarding the provisions and apparatus made available to Webber while he is detained, but affirmed its adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For a minimum of two years, Webber performed as an expert cornhole competitor and was named Maryland’s top cornhole athlete in 2020. He most recently featured in the ACL rankings during the 2023-24 season.