Defendant Timothy Knott is expected for a fourth homicide trial in Baltimore City Circuit Court in early 2027 following three mistrials and a recent change in defense counsel.
According to Baltimore Witness data, the 30-year-old defendant’s first mistrial was in April 2025 with Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill presiding. When the case concluded with a mistrial, Knott was tried two more times in February and September, both before Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr.
All mistrials were the result of hung juries.
Knott was represented by defense counsel Warren Brown during his first two trials; however, Brown’s motion to strike his appearance as Knott’s defense counsel was granted on Oct. 20.
On Nov. 6, Gregory Fischer with the Office of the Public Defender stood in for Knott’s new attorney, Maureen Rowland. The prosecutor informed Judge Melissa K. Copeland that there was no revised plea offer, and counsel agreed on a four-day trial, beginning Jan. 12, 2027, before Judge Taylor.
Judge Copeland noted that Judge Taylor had other cases on his schedule that day, but said she would reassign them to Judge Althea M. Handy to accommodate Knott and counsel.
Knott’s charges of first-degree murder and several weapons violations stem from the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Anthony Pearson on April 29, 2024, on the 4600 block of Garrison Boulevard. The defendant reportedly killed Pearson in retaliation, claiming Pearson killed Knott’s cousin.
During Knott’s latest trial, Baltimore Police testified that Pearson was ruled as a suspect but never charged.
