Defendant’s Sentence Modified in Attempted Murder Case

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A Baltimore man who pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder in July 2021 had his sentence modified on Feb. 7 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A Howard.

Keon Rice, 31 is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm in a violent crime, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person and discharging firearms in connection to an incident on March 28, 2020.

During proceedings on Monday’s, Judge Howard listened as counsel agreed about the modification made to the sentence. Initially, Rice was offered a plea of 25 years suspending all but seven years with three years probation for attempted first-degree murder was granted a motion for modification of his sentence the judge. The modification allows for Rice to receive five days of credit towards his sentence per month of good conduct.

The prosecutor informed the court that the victim had been made aware and was given the opportunity to make a victim impact statement, which he had not yet provided to the attorney.

As of Monday, Rice has accrued 15 months of good behavior.

According to court documents, on March, 28, 2020 Rice got into an argument with a woman early in the morning. The woman got into a vehicle with a male driver. Rice allegedly blocked the car and shot at the vehicle 4 times. The driver suffered from a gunshot wound to the leg and went to the hospital for treatment.

Hunter, Rice defense attorney according to Pruette, argued that at the time of the incident Rice was a full-time student at the University of Baltimore pursuing a degree in general studies.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Howard offered Rice substance abuse screening and treatment as part of his probation, which he accepted.

Rice is not currently scheduled to return to court, according to the Maryland Judiciary website.