Shooting Co-Defendant Granted Final Trial Postponement

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On Feb. 3, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland granted a request from defense counsel for what will be the final postponement of a jury trial for 33-year-old Phillip McCoy. He is unable to represent himself and the defense needs additional preparation time.

McCoy faces multiple felony charges, the most serious of which include attempt and conspiracy to commit both first and second-degree murder. Additional counts include assault, burglary, home invasion, reckless endangerment, and various firearm-related offenses.

The infractions occurred on Oct. 19, 2023, and co-defendants Brian Strawder and Kateira Womack face similar charges. A witness to the shooting allegedly met Womack at a casino and invited her to the home he shared with the victim. Shortly after Womack’s departure, McCoy and Strawder confronted the witness. As the witness and victim fled, the victim was shot twice in the thigh.

McCoy initially appeared before Judge Martin Schreiber II, who referred the matter to Judge Copeland to determine whether to approve or deny postponement.

Judge Copeland granted the motion and asserted that this would be McCoy’s last postponement. She also allowed McCoy to reinstate the services of the defense attorney he previously discharged.

The 3-day jury trial is scheduled for May 21.