Co-Defendants Reject 10-Year Attempted Murder Plea

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On Aug. 30, two attempted murder co-defendants rejected a plea of 10 years without the possibility of parole for the first five years before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn

Kevin Ellis, 29, and Rico Blick, 28, are both charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, first and second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first and second-degree assault, theft: less than $100, conspiracy to commit theft: less than $100 and several gun-related charges. 

The prosecution offered Ellis and Blick the same plea of 20 years, suspending all but 10 years without the possibility of parole for the first five years, along with a four-year probation for first-degree attempted murder and five years for the use of a firearm during a felony conviction. The terms are set to run concurrently. 

Ellis and Blick and their defense attorneys Michael Cooper, a stand-in for Augustine Okeke, and George Harris, respectively, rejected the plea.

Both defendants have trials scheduled for Feb. 21, 2023. The trials are expected to last eight days with Judge Barry G. Williams presiding.