A non-fatal shooting defendant rejected a plea offer on Aug. 23 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.
Baltimore resident Michael Nichols, 34, is charged with first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, having a handgun on his person, having a handgun in a vehicle, discharging firearms, and illegal possession of ammo. He was charged with these crimes in 2020. The incident occurred on July 29, 2020.
Judge Phinn listened as the prosecutor presented a plea of 12 years for first-degree assault, and five years without parole for firearm use in a violent crime.
Nichols and his defense attorney, Lawrence Rosenberg, rejected the plea offer. The defendant also declined to waive his Hick’s date, which is his right to be tried within 180 days of his first court appearance.
Due to counsels’ unavailability, Judge Phinn found probable cause to delay Nichols’ trial, which is scheduled for Dec. 8.
