Manslaughter Defendant Offered 5-Year Plea Deal

By Andrew Michaels - August 30, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A Baltimore man charged with manslaughter was offered a five-year plea deal on Aug. 30 at the Baltimore City Circuit Court.

During reception court before Judge Melissa M. Phinn, the prosecution offered Mark Harris, 60, a plea of 10 years, suspending all but five, and five years probation for manslaughter. He is also charged with first and second-degree assault in connection to the incident that occurred on Sept. 14, 2019.

Defense attorney Judit Otvos said Harris’ other attorney, Robert Cohen, had shared the plea with the defendant; however, Harris disagreed.

“The court hasn’t relayed anything to me,” Harris told Judge Phinn. “I haven’t been talked to in a year and a half.”

Judge Phinn told Otvos to review the offer with Cohen and Harris and scheduled the trial for Feb 23, 2022. Harris declined to waive his October Hick’s date, his right to be tried within 180 days of his first court appearance, but Judge Phinn waived his Hick’s due to counsels’ conflicting schedules.