MORRIS COTTON FOUND GUILTY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER; SENTENCE PENDING

Somerset County, MD - On April 3, 2025, a Somerset County jury found Morris Cotton guilty of Second Degree Murder and related offenses. The trial lasted three days and concluded with a decision to postpone sentencing pending a pre-sentence investigation, with potential penalties exceeding sixty years of incarceration.

The case originated from an incident on October 1, 2023, when Maryland State Police responded to reports of a shooting on Hudson Corner Road.

Upon arrival, officers found Morris Cotton exiting the residence naked and detained him. When coming in contact with Cotton, officers suspected him to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

Inside the home, authorities discovered Amy Uff with a fatal gunshot wound to her head, alongside a .22 caliber rifle believed to be the weapon used.

A key eyewitness reported seeing Cotton aim the rifle at Uff and fire the fatal shot. This witness subsequently escaped the scene and alerted law enforcement from a nearby location.

State's Attorney Wess Garner, who prosecuted the case, praised the diligence and professionalism of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, particularly recognizing Corporal Connor Willey for his outstanding contributions to the investigation and prosecution.