Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland scheduled a 42-year-old attempted murder defendant’s trial for late August during a June 22 reception court hearing.
The defendant, Isaac Diaz, is charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and four related firearm offenses in connection to an incident that occurred last Christmas morning on the 3900 block of Bancroft Road. Police believe the incident arose from a dispute between Diaz and his ex-girlfriend’s husband.
During reception court, Diaz appeared virtually with defense attorney John Deros. A Spanish interpreter was also present by phone to explain the proceedings. The prosecutor placed a plea offer on the record of life, suspending all but 18 years, for one count of attempted first-degree murder. The offer also included five years without parole for firearm use. Diaz rejected the offer.
According to charging documents, a Baltimore Police officer responded to a residence around 10 a.m. for a reported aggravated assault. When the officer arrived, a male victim said he was attacked by Diaz, who was his girlfriend’s ex-husband, inside the residence.
The victim told police the incident began as a verbal altercation before becoming physical. He and Diaz allegedly wrestled near the stairwell by the rear basement door before Diaz pulled out a silver handgun and fired two rounds at the victim.
A roommate told police he heard gunshots and later saw Diaz wearing black pants, a black jacket and a black baseball cap before the defendant allegedly fled in a silver Nissan Armada with no tags. The victim’s girlfriend also told police she witnessed the incident.
The victim suffered a small laceration to his middle finger but declined medical treatment. Police recovered casings and bullet fragments in the basement stairwell and observed that the basement door hinges had been broken. Later that day, the victim and his girlfriend identified Diaz as the alleged perpetrator through motor vehicle records.
Diaz’s trial is scheduled for Aug. 24 through Aug. 26. Proceedings fall within his speedy trial deadline of Sept. 22.
