Defense Counsel’s Illness Delays Homicide Trial

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The trial of co-defendants Taijhae Brown and Kennard Johnson was delayed until next year after the latter’s defense counsel reported sick on Oct. 3—the original trial date.

Brown’s defense attorney, John Cox, appeared before the prosecution and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda Tanner on Monday with a stand in for Johnson’s attorney, Jonathan Kerr. Cox informed the judge that Kerr called him earlier that morning and reluctantly asked to postpone the trial because he was sick.

Judge Tanner said it was unlikely Kerr would recover by tomorrow, Oct. 4, and sent the duo’s case to reception court where it was rescheduled for Jan. 17, 2023.

Brown and Johnson are facing multiple counts of first-degree murder in connection to a shooting on Aug. 31, 2021, that killed 62-year-old Grace Jackson and left a 52-year-old man injured on the 1700 block of Patterson Park.

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