Defendant's Health is A Concern After Trial Set for May 2022

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Defense counsel for an attempted homicide defendant raised concerns over his client’s health on Nov. 17 during reception court in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

Lyndon Pettiford is currently facing attempted murder, assault, and reckless endangerment charges in addition to seven firearm-related charges. According to defense attorney Howard Cardin, his client was set up after being asked to come to the area for his child on Feb. 22 when the incident occurred.

When Pettiford arrived, gunshots were fired, Cardin said.

On Wednesday, the prosecution offered Pettiford a plea of life, suspending all but 30 years, the first five years without parole, and five years probation for attempted first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and firearm possession with a felony conviction. T

he defendant would also have to stay away from the victim.

After rejecting the plea on his client’s behalf, Cardin and the prosecutor agreed on a trial date of May 4, 2022.

However, Cardin said Pettiford has “some rather severe medical issues,” which the attorney discussed during his client’s bail review on Nov. 16 when Pettiford was denied bail.

Cardin said he was concerned about the severity of his client’s medical issues and the six-month wait for trial.

Judge Melissa M. Phinn said she does not address those issues in reception court and set the trial in May 2022 before Judge Yvette M. Bryant.

Defendant’s Health is A Concern After Trial Set for May 2022