A juvenile defendant accused of killing a minor and injuring a 19-year-old during a shooting at Mondawmin Metro Center, a major train and bus hub, is set to be tried as an adult in criminal court next April. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn finalized the ruling on Nov. 21.
Kendrick Henson, 16, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and four firearm offenses in connection to the double shooting, which occurred the evening of July 21, 2024 in West Baltimore.
Jasper Davis, 14, was pronounced deceased at an area hospital the same day, while the 19-year-old victim survived. Both Maryland Transit police and Western District officers responded to the incident location on the 2300 block of Liberty Heights Avenue.
Henson reportedly surrendered to Baltimore Police on July 26, 2024, five days after the shooting. As of now he’s on home detention.
Henson’s case has faced notable delays due to a conflict of interest in legal representation. During a pre-trial conference hearing two weeks prior, Judge Melissa K. Copeland aired her frustrations after learning that the Office of the Public Defender failed to clarify that one of its attorneys was representing another party in Henson’s case.
Judge Copeland called Henson’s circumstances “disappointing and unfair,” recalling that he had appeared before her without a properly assigned attorney on several occasions.
While discussing scheduling matters on Nov. 21, counsel reported that the case was recently transferred to private defense attorney Andre Mahasa. Henson was advised to await contact from Mahasa, who plans to meet with him to discuss pre-trial matters.
The case was ultimately scheduled to proceed to trial on April 13 next year. Proceedings are expected to last five days, with Judge Cynthia H. Jones presiding.
