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By
Andrew Michaels
- November 13, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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stabbing
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Suspects
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Victims
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Before the jury entered the courtroom for trial on Nov. 13, defendant Michael Atkinson opted to plead guilty to stabbing 53-year-old Michael Raub to death over money on the Fourth of July in 2023.
The 50-year-old defendant, who completed jury selection for his trial on Tuesday, accepted the prosecutor’s Alford plea on Wednesday before the start of trial. Atkinson agreed to 40 years, suspending all but 20 years, and five years of supervised probation for second-degree murder—amended from first-degree murder—and a concurrent three years for use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure.
Under an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit any criminal wrongdoing, but acknowledges that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to convince a judge or jury of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Atkinson’s sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 2 to allow family and friends of the respective parties to be present. He was represented by defense attorney Andrea Jaskulsky, with Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul E. Alpert presiding.
Charges against the defendant stem from an incident on the 1600 block of McHenry Street where Atkinson was seen visibly upset and yelling around 10:45 a.m. before he stabbed Raub once in the chest and through his heart. Medics pronounced Raub dead less than an hour later.
According to charging documents, eyewitnesses reported the defendant yelling at the victim about money the latter owed him. A witness identified Atkinson during a photo array with the Baltimore Police Department.