A Baltimore man accused of acting as a getaway driver in a 2024 armed robbery incident was released on his own recognizance before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard on Nov. 3 after previously testifying against his co-defendant at trial in early October.
Counsel for Darnell Johnson, 29, brought the sentence modification request before the court after Johnson upheld an agreement with the state to testify in 32-year-old Dionte Cain’s trial. Despite Johnson’s cooperation, Cain’s trial ended in a mistrial on Oct. 3 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on his 19 charges, which included attempted murder, armed robbery, and multiple firearm violations.
Johnson initially faced 20 charges in connection to the April 2, 2024 incident, which occurred at a parking lot on the 5300 block of York Road in North Baltimore. He alleged at trial that he picked Cain up in his car and drove to the location. At one point, Cain asked Johnson to stop the vehicle so he could “get some money.”
Johnson recalled Cain exiting his vehicle and approaching a nearby truck. When Cain returned, he allegedly confessed to shooting a man who was sitting in the truck, Johnson testified. Police later reported the victim sustained gunshot wounds to his left wrist and right thigh, and continues to suffer from limited mobility in his left hand.
Cain’s defense attorney, Natalie A. Finegar, previously proclaimed during Cain’s trial that Johnson himself brought the proposal of a deal to the prosecution, offering his own testimony in exchange for what she called “the plea of a lifetime.” She called Johnson’s testimony unreliable, suggesting it was motivated by the promise of a benefit.
The prosecution, meanwhile, emphasized that Johnson was not coerced to comply and maintained that his testimony was consistent with Cain’s admission of shooting the victim.
Cain is now set to be retried on Jan. 26, 2026 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Hope Tipton.
Meanwhile, Johnson appeared relaxed as Judge Howard agreed to counsel’s request to release him on his own recognizance. The prosecution had no objections to the request, acknowledging Johnson’s cooperation at trial.
