Gun Case Heads to Trial After Defendant Rejects Plea Deal

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland presided over reception court proceedings for Donald Blackwell on June 17, during which the defendant rejected a plea offer and received a trial date.

Blackwell, 37, faces multiple firearm-related charges stemming from a Feb. 13 incident that occurred on the 600 block of N. Central Ave. He is charged with transporting a loaded handgun, possessing a handgun on his person and discharging a firearm within city limits.

The prosecution offered Blackwell a plea deal of ten years, suspending all but three, with special conditions that include staying away from both victims and completing any drug and alcohol treatment recommended by parole and probation. A concurrent five-year sentence without parole was offered on a second count under the Gun Offender Registry Act (GORA).

Defense attorney Sheri Scott told the court that most evidence has been processed and received, though a firearm comparison analysis remains pending and has not yet been scheduled.

Judge Copeland scheduled a two-day trial to begin on Aug. 6 before Judge Catherine Chen.