5 Cases Set For Trial In Reception Court

By Hannah Sawickey [former] - August 16, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

Five gun-related cases were set for trial by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn in reception court on Aug. 16. 

The trial of attempted homicide defendant Dashawn Raynard Carter, 21, is now set for Oct. 11. 

Carter is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, possession of a firearm and a controlled dangerous substance, having a loaded handgun on his person, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in connection with an incident on Feb. 16. 

Next on the reception court docket was Dara Kent who is now set for trial on Dec. 9. 

Kent, 38, is charged with first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, the use of a firearm in a felony violent crime, discharging a firearm, having a handgun in one’s vehicle on a public road, carrying a handgun, having a loaded handgun in one’s vehicle, having a loaded handgun on his person and the malicious destruction of property valuing over $1,000 in connection with an incident on Feb. 13, 2021.

Kent was arrested for allegedly shooting at her ex-husband’s girlfriend’s car. Kent’s defense attorneys, Marci Johnson and Filia Morgan-Xavier said they will present a witness at trial who may give Kent an alibi. 

Judge Phinn also set a trial date for homicide defendant Dayquan Lawson. 

Lawson, 24, is charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime in connection to an incident on Dec. 30, 2021. 

Lawson allegedly shot his cousin twice during an argument, hitting him once in the head. Although a witness has come forward and stated that the incident was in self-defense, Lawson was denied bail by Judge Jeannie Hong on June 3.

Lawson is scheduled to appear for trial on Dec. 7 with Judge Cynthia H. Jones presiding.

The trial for attempted murder defendant, Latasha Zaire Elizabeth Robert, is set to begin Sept. 13, and is expected to last three days

Robert, 22, is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, having a handgun on one’s person, having a handgun in a vehicle, discharging a firearm, the malicious destruction of property valuing less than $1,000 and malicious destruction of property valuing more than $1,000. 

Robert allegedly discharged a firearm at a moving vehicle on Sep. 22 after arguing with a man who was occupying the driver’s seat. A witness at the scene turned over footage they recorded of the incident. The witness also identified Robert as the shooter.

The trial for attempted homicide defendant Eric Denully, 19, has also been set for Dec. 5.

Denully is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, possession of firearm as a minor, having a handgun on his person and discharging a gun in Baltimore City in connection to an incident that occurred on Sept. 19, 2021, on the 2000 block of Ruxton Ave. 

Denully’s Hick’s date, which is his right to be tried within 180 days of his or his attorney’s first court appearance, is on Aug. 21, but due to scheduling conflicts his trial will begin in December and is expected to last four days.