2020 Murder Defendant’s Trial Postponed For The Third Time

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The third trial for a murder defendant was postponed before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on Aug. 6

Donnell Johnson is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person and in a vehicle for the death of 27-year-old Kenneth Bivens on Sept. 10, 2020.

Johnson’s previous two trials ended in mistrials. Today’s proceeding was delayed because his attorney, Natalie Finegar, was ill.

According to earlier accounts, the incident occurred on the 1000 block of Beaumont Avenue, where Johnson allegedly shot Bivens following a physical altercation. He died from his wounds.

Johnson says he wants his trial to proceed as soon as possible.

Judge Copeland has rescheduled Johnson’s third trial for Dec. 4.