Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

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A 26-year-old Baltimore man charged in connection to a double homicide rejected a plea offer on April 20 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn.

Deandre Woods-Bethel, 26, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of use of a firearm during a violent crime, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, and having a handgun on his person in connection to an incident on Sept. 12, 2020.

Judge Phinn listened as the prosecutor presented a plea of two life sentences for two counts of first-degree murder. The sentences were set to run concurrently.

Bethel, and his defense attorney Maureen O’Leary, rejected the offer. The defense would also like to plead not criminally responsible.

According to CBS Baltimore, on Sept. 12, 2020, officers responded to the 2800 block of Clifton Park Terrace to investigate a ShotSpotter alert around 6:36 p.m. When officers arrived, they found two women, Julie Rice, 46, and Michelle Green, 23, had been shot. Police learned that Bethel was inside the home.

The victims were taken to an area hospital, where they died from their injuries. Investigators said they believe both victims were outside when the suspect exited his home, shot the victims, and then went back inside of his home to call 911.

Bethel’s trial date is scheduled for Oct. 17.