'Basically, You Just Poo-Pooed on What I Said,' Irked Judge Tells Lawyer in Homicide Hearing

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A jury trial for a murder case turned contentious before it went to postponement court on Feb. 19.

Jamal Smith, 33, is on trial in relation to a June 16, 2022 homicide that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Ryan Harris and non-fatal gunshot wounds to two other victims.

The proceedings began with defense attorney John E. Cox arguing with Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Videtta A. Brown. With the prosecution running late to the hearing due to traffic, Cox left the courtroom to handle a matter in a different courthouse despite Judge Brown’s advice that he should wait for the prosecutor and a stand-in defense attorney.

Once the hearing was called, Judge Brown told the court, “Mr. Cox, against my instructions, has decided to go to another courtroom.”

When Cox returned to the courtroom, Judge Brown admonished him.

“Mr. Cox, sometimes listening to what I say matters,” she said. “Basically, you just poo-pooed on what I said, to do what you wanted to do.”

Prior to the hearing, Cox experienced a medical emergency that necessitated Smith’s case be postponed.

The jury trial is scheduled to begin on June 18 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Levi S. Zaslow.

‘Basically, You Just Poo-Pooed on What I Said,’ Irked Judge Tells Lawyer in Homicide Hearing