Homicide Trial Delayed 10 Months After COVID Postpones All Jury Trials

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The trial of a Baltimore man accused of murder was delayed nearly 10 months on Jan. 18, joining the long line of Baltimore City Circuit Court trials postponed due to the latest wave in the pandemic.

Bernard Stanford, 20, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use during a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person, and possession of a firearm as a minor. He last appeared in court in July 2021 when he rejected a plea of life, suspending all but 50 years, with five years probation, for first-degree murder, and 15 years to run concurrently for firearm use during a violent crime.

The defendant’s trial was specially set to begin on Tuesday before Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.

During reception court, the prosecution and defense attorney, Donald Wright, told Judge Melissa M. Phinn that they agreed on a new trial date of Nov. 1, which Judge Phinn set before Judge Christopher L. Panos.

Due to the latest spike in COVID-19 cases across the state, Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty issued an administrative order effective on Dec. 29, 2021, halting all jury trials through Feb. 8, which was recently extended to March 6. Under the order, remote proceedings—including bail reviews, reception court, and some in-person hearings—will continue and jury trials that were already underway will continue.

Approximately 63 jury trials involving homicide or non-fatal shootings were scheduled between Dec. 29 and March 6, according to Baltimore Witness data. Any trials scheduled within this timeframe will return to reception court where they will either be rescheduled for trial or resolved.