Trial Postponed Following Lawyer’s Miscommunication

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland postponed 21-year-old Christopher Correlli’s trial on April 14 after a miscommunication with his defense attorney resulted in 23-year-old co-defendant Ryan Joy‘s being unable to appear in court on time. 

Correlli is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, having a loaded handgun in his vehicle, and related conspiracy charges.

Correlli and Joy were arrested in relation to a shooting that occurred on July 5, 2024 in the 1800 block of Aiken Street. According to charging documents, officers responding to the scene observed a man suffering from two gunshot wounds to the abdomen. Medics responded and transported the victim to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he underwent several surgeries in critical condition. 

According to court documents, the incident began when a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with a Pennsylvania license plate followed an unidentified black car to the location. Then the driver and passenger of the Silverado opened fire through their windows at the black car, striking the victim. The Silverado then fled the scene westbound on North Avenue, where a license plate reader captured the plates. 

The miscommunication arose between the jail and Joy’s defense attorney, Warren Brown, who initially pushed for postponement because he believed Joy was in quarantine due to illness. Though the court was able to contact the facility and order Joy’s transportation, Brown still pushed to have the case postponed.

The trial is scheduled for July 29 and is expected to last five days. The court has yet to assign a judge to the trial.