2 Alibi Witnesses Get Attempted Murder Case Dismissed

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The case for a 47-year-old Baltimore man accused of shooting his neighbor was dismissed on Aug. 15 after defense counsel identified two credible alibi witnesses.

Donte Owens appeared in Baltimore City Circuit Court on Monday morning for charges of attempted murder, assault, and numerous weapons charges in connection to a shooting on Jan. 15.

During the proceeding, before Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey, the prosecution requested to postpone the case as the 60-year-old victim, who is also incarcerated, was being held in Central Booking. Defense attorney Andrea Jaskulsky objected to the postponement, saying she had not reviewed the evidence with Owens and that there were two alibi witnesses, one who was present in the courtroom.

Judge Ringgold-Kirksey moved the case to reception court before Judge Melissa Phinn, who denied the postponement request and dismissed the case.

Jaskulsky told Baltimore Witness that “the veracity of the state’s witness” was behind the case’s dismissal in addition to the two credible alibi witnesses.

According to charging documents obtained by Baltimore Witness, officers with the Baltimore Police Department were called to the 2600 block of Saint Benedict Street around 9 p.m. earlier this year and found a man with a gunshot wound to his right leg. The victim informed police that he was walking along the block when he saw his neighbor get a handgun out of the defendant’s vehicle.

Shortly after, the victim told police he realized he was shot. Officers later showed a photo array to the victim, who identified Owens.