67-Year-Old Charged with Fatal Stabbing Gets New Counsel, Trial Date

By Andrew Michaels - December 23, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Homicide defendant Jeffrey Chaney received a new defense attorney and a trial date on Dec. 22, less than two weeks after expressing issues with his prior representation.

The 67-year-old defendant is charged with the fatal stabbing of 50–year-old Peter Riley on July 28 on the 600 block of West Lexington Avenue.

During reception court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn, defense attorney Natalie Finegar entered her appearance as Chaney’s new counsel, adding that she needs to review discovery with her client before discussing a plea offer with the prosecution.

The prosecutor, who is also newly assigned to the case, said that no offer was currently on the table.

Counsel agreed on a trial date of July 18, 2023, with Judge Videtta Brown presiding.

Earlier this month, Chaney complained to the judge that his then-defense attorney, who was unnamed on the Maryland Judiciary website, had not yet visited him. The defendant also said that the facility holding him declined his request for an MRI for injuries he sustained during the incident.

Neither issue was discussed during Thursday’s proceedings.