A one-time murder defendant charged in an assault and firearm case waived his right to a jury trial on July 14 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams, opting instead for a court trial.
Antonio Douglas, 31, was represented by Defense attorney Brandon Patterson for what was initially scheduled to begin with jury selection. Before proceedings, the state advised the court it would proceed on all charges except the murder count and indicated it expected to call one witness. Prosecutors also informed the court that the case involved a minor.
The state extended a plea offer of 15 years, suspending all but 5 years to be served, followed by 5 years of supervised probation. The offer also included five years without the possibility of parole and a stay-away order requiring Douglas to have no contact with the victim and register as an offender. Douglas rejected the offer.
Before prospective jurors entered the courtroom, Douglas was brought from holding wearing jail clothing, despite defense counsel having previously provided civilian clothing for trial.
Shortly afterward, Douglas informed the court that he wished to proceed with a court trial rather than a jury trial. For the record, Judge Williams explained the difference between the two proceedings, telling Douglas that a court trial meant the judge alone would hear the evidence, determine the facts of the case, and decide whether the state had proven the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Judge Williams also made clear that nothing had been promised to Douglas in exchange for waiving a jury trial and asked whether he understood the rights he was giving up. Douglas replied that he did and elected to proceed with a bench trial.
Following the change in proceedings, the state requested additional time to coordinate its witnesses before testimony could begin. When the court recessed, the parties were still addressing evidentiary matters, including body-worn camera footage, as they determined whether the trial could begin later that afternoon.
