'Hitman' Sentenced To Decades In Prison After Annapolis Killing: Officials

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A "hitman" was sentenced to decades in prison for a 2020 fatal shooting in Annapolis, officials announced Friday.

Prosecutors said 23-year-old Michael Gibson of Annapolis was sentenced to life in prison with all but 80 years suspended for the first-degree murder of Leslie Eugene Saunders, 50.

Gibson also got a 20-year sentence for using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, authorities said. That sentence will run at the same time as the murder sentence, so Gibson will spend eight decades behind bars.

Officials said Gibson pleaded guilty to the charges in January 2022.

“Michael Gibson exhibited a complete disregard for human life when, without hesitation, he accepted money to murder a complete stranger,” Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a press release. “This sentence reflects the gravity of the crime Gibson committed and it’s my hope that the loved ones of Mr. Saunders are able to find a level of solace after this sentence.”

Prosecutors alleged that Thomas Smith, 31, paid Gibson $3,200 to kill Saunders.

Authorities said the attack followed an argument between Smith's mother and Saunders.

Saunders was the longtime boyfriend of Smith's mother, officials said.

The state's attorney said Smith already pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in this case.

Prosecutors said Smith was sentenced to life in prison with all but 25 years suspended on March 31, 2022.

The Shooting

Authorities said an ambulance took the mother, who was not identified, to a hospital for a medical concern after her argument with the victim.

Smith then agreed to pay Gibson $2,000 before the murder and $1,200 in cash after, officials alleged.

The state's attorney said surveillance cameras showed Smith and Gibson meeting up on March 15, 2020 in the 1100 block of Madison Street.

Prosecutors said Smith drove Gibson to Marcs Court, where the victim was walking a block away.

Gibson then shot Saunders and fled with Smith in a Ford F-150 pickup truck, authorities said.

Officials said detectives tracked the accused men as they left the area.

Officers found Saunders on the ground near Bens Drive at 6:23 p.m., the state's attorney said.

Prosecutors said Saunders was unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Medics pronounced Saunders dead at the scene, authorities said.

The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that the cause and manner of death was homicide by gunshot, officials said.

Authorities arrested Gibson on April 3, 2020, the state's attorney said.

Prosecutors said Gibson was legally prohibited from possessing a gun.

Related: Annapolis 'Hit Man' Pleads Guilty In 2020 Murder, Officials Say