Malik Samartaney

Malik Samartaney (born Lawrence Banks; June 7, 1953) is an American serial killer who killed at least three people, including his son and daughter, in Maryland, between 1991 and 2019. He is also suspected of killing his wife in 1976, and his girlfriend's daughter and granddaughter in 2006. A pre-sentencing report in 1976 described Samartaney as a smooth liar and a smooth talker, and skilled at misrepresenting himself.

Crimes On July 3, 1975, Lawrence held a knife to the throat of his wife, Vivian Banks, and dragged her through the house. Although Vivian told the police that her husband had threatened to kill her, the charges were later dropped on her request. He was released from prison in December 1988.

Malik served out the rest of his sentence and was released from prison in 2014.

In March 2019, Malik was charged with second degree assault, under unclear circumstances. In May 2019, Malik killed Dominique, now 43 and a mother of six. The two had started to reconnect only a few months earlier.

The following month, Malik was charged with first degree murder in the death of Dominique Foster.

In October 2021, Malik was convicted of second degree murder and unauthorized disposal of a body. He was acquitted of first degree murder.

Malik's sentencing hearing was held on February 28, 2022. He told judge Jennifer Schiffer that he was involved in his son's death years ago and promised God he would not kill again. "I have fruit flies in my cell and don't even swat at them," he said. Growing louder as he spoke, he talked about his time in prison and asked for leniency. "Your honor, I'm very sorry for the death of my daughter, but I did not do that. I dream every night that I find the person who would do that." His lawyer maintained that her client was innocent and had been convicted with circumstantial evidence. She highlighted Malik's military history and said he helped his daughter get drug treatment.

In October 2022, Malik was convicted in his illegal weapon possession case and sentenced to 15 years in prison, with a concurrent 1-year sentence for illegally possessing ammunition. In July 2023, he pleaded guilty in his March 2019 assault case and was sentenced to 67 days in jail.