In a pre-trial conference hearing on Jan. 17, defense attorney Matthew Connell expressed concerns about the court’s treatment of a 19-year-old mass shooting suspect’s case.
Tristan B. Jackson is charged with 57 counts of attempted murder, illegal use of firearms, and riot charges in connection to the Brooklyn Homes mass shooting that left 28 injured and two dead on July 2, 2023. At approximately 12:35 a.m., multiple reported shootings led officers to the 800 block of Gretna Court, where they located 30 total shooting victims. Aaliyah Gonzalez, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. Kylis Fagbemi, 20, was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after.
According to a Baltimore Witness previous report, the mass shooting caused a nearly 50 percent spike in Baltimore City’s non-fatal shooting count for the month of July 2023.
The prosecution requested a three-and-a-half day jury trial beginning May 12. Connell argued against the “unnecessary” length of the proposed trial.
“My position is this should be a very straightforward trial,” said Connell. “This could be done in three days.”
Connell, who called the treatment of the case “extremely prejudicial,” said he had yet to receive a witness list and that evidence against his client would be inadmissible.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K Copeland will continue to review the trial dates.
