On Aug. 4, defendant Shawn Lee Brunson appeared in reception court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn to schedule his trial date, but his defense team was looking toward 2024.
A stand-in for Brunson’s attorney Warren A. Brown told Judge Phinn that because Brown had recently joined the case, he needed more time to prepare for trial and begin possible plea negotiations with the prosecutor assigned to the case.
Because the schedule for 2024 will only open in October, Judge Phinn continued the hearing to Oct. 2.
Brunson, 34, is charged with vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent manslaughter, theft between $1500 and $25,000, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle and driving a car without a license in connection with a Feb. 8 incident.
According to previous reporting from Baltimore Witness and WMAR, Brunson was driving a stolen Hyundai Sonata when police began pursuing him. Speeding away from police, Brunson crashed into another vehicle on the corner of E. North Avenue and Wolfe Street. The crash ran onto the sidewalk, hitting 54-year-old Alfred Fincher and an empty rowhome. The rowhome, which had been previously damaged by a fire, collapsed and killed Fincher.
Brunson and the passengers in the other car were injured but survived.
