During a March 2 scheduling hearing, a Baltimore judge agreed to postpone a broad daylight murder case from more than two years ago because one of the two co-defendants charged in the shooting had obtained new counsel.
Noah Diggs, 21, and Kamya Stratton, 18, will return to reception court on April 3 to discuss a new date for trial.
Diggs and Stratton each face two counts of first-degree murder, three robbery charges and four gun offenses in connection to the murder of 55-year-old Melvin White, which occurred just before 10 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2024. The shooting, which unfolded on the 3000 block of Edmondson Avenue, left White with a gunshot wound to his left shoulder that resulted in his death.
In reception court, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland heard new defense attorney Donald Wright request more time to prepare for trial. Wright explained he had just replaced defense attorney Natalie Finegar last week.
Stratton’s defense attorney, Judit Otvos, also noted she needs to resolve a conflict with a witness in the case.
The state’s attorney, who had been notified about the witness conflict a month ago, did not oppose the postponement.
Due to Wright’s lack of preparation and the outstanding witness matter, Judge Copeland agreed to set a pre-trial conference one month out, and informed Diggs the postponement would lengthen the trial’s delay.
“Mr. Diggs, you can’t complain about your right to speedy trial if you’re asking for a postponement,” Judge Copeland told the defendant.
Diggs agreed.
