Defendant Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge in Assault Case

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Aaron Parker, 43, pled guilty to his involvement in an assault that took place at the intersection of Charles Street and North Avenue.  He then faced a separate drug charge.

Parker was originally charged with attempted first degree murder and first degree assault. However, the prosecutor only decided to press for second-degree assault, to which Parker pleaded guilty. 

On July 2, 2024, two men approached the victim and proceeded to attack him. One of the perpetrators assaulted him with a knife while the other physically assaulted him. Officers located the victim alive, but with several cuts on his abdomen, back, and head. 

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Martin H. Schreiber II asked to see security footage of the altercation. In the video, Parker is captured standing a few meters away from the original altercation location before approaching and appearing to hit him several times.

The first two assailants are seen entering a vehicle and driving away, while Parker is shown walking to the other side of the street. After viewing the video, Judge Schreiber said Parker’s “role in the assault is extremely minor.” 

However, when police arrested Parker on July 4 for his involvement in the assault, they allegedly discovered several green pill casings containing fentanyl. As a result, Parker was charged separately with possession with intent to distribute narcotics, to which he pleaded guilty.

For the second-degree assault charge, Parker was sentenced to eight years, suspending all but two years and six months, with three years of probation. Parker received the same sentence for distributing fentanyl, with both sentences to be served concurrently. 

While Parker was initially charged with attempted murder for his involvement in the assault, Judge Schreiber said that the drug charge was more troubling than the assault.

Parker apologized for his involvement in the assault, stating that was at a very stressful point in his life and went down a dark path. Parker had not been charged with any crime in over 20 years.

Judge Schreiber waived Parker’s probation costs and all other court fees.