Murder Trial Postponed Due to Prosecutor Being Unprepared

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An attempted murder defendant had his trial postponed due to the prosecutor needing more time to prepare before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Willie McDonald, 38, is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person and discharging a handgun within Baltimore City in connection to an incident on June 21.

According to a news release, officers were called to the 1000 block of Cathedral Street around 2:45 a.m. on June 21 when they found a 33-year-old victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

The prosecutor requested the postponement of the defendant’s trial due to the case being reassigned to him last week. He argued that he didn’t know much about the case.

McDonald’s defense attorney Maureen O’Leary did not contest the request. Judge Phinn granted the postponement.

McDonald’s new trial has been scheduled for Dec. 14 and is expected to last three days, with Judge Barry G. Williams presiding.