Homicide Defendants Hearing Postponed Due to Prosecutor’s Failure to Inform Victim’s Family

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On Nov. 9, before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul Cucuzzella, a homicide defendant had his motions hearing postponed due to the prosecutor being unable to get in contact with the victim’s family.

The prosecutor requested a postponement so the victim’s family could be present for the modification. She informed the court that she tried to contact the victim’s family via phone but was unable to speak with them.

On Sept. 29, 2010, Damien Davon Davis was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a handgun to commit a crime, and having a handgun on his person in connection to an incident on May 5, 2008.

According to court documents, the defendant, who was 16 at the time, and Darius Duppins, who was 17, went into a restaurant on the 2500 block of Hoffman Street on May 5, 2008, and pointed their handguns at 21-year-old Paris Richardson.

Davis tried to fire his gun, but it was jammed. Duppins was able to fire his gun, shooting Richardson eight times in his head, neck, and torso.

Davis, now 31, is represented by defense counsel Melissa McDonnell.

Judge Cucuzzella postponed the defendant’s hearing until Jan. 30, 2023, at 2 p.m.