Judge Sets Trial Date for Attempted Murder Defendant

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During a Dec. 1 reception court hearing, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn presided over counsels as they scheduled a trial date for a defendant accused of attempted murder.

Andre Arthur Buchanan, is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, two counts of first degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of reckless endangerment, theft, carrying or wearing a loaded handgun on his person, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, and discharging firearms in connection to an incident on May 31.

At Thursday’s proceeding, the prosecution posed a plea offer involving life, suspending all but 45 years with 15 years of probation for his attempted murder charges and 20 years for his gun offenses. 

“No,” the 19-year-old defendant exclaimed after hearing this deal.

Buchanan’s defense attorney, Jerry Tarud, concurred.

Parties then set a trial date for the matter, agreeing on March 21, 2023.

The prosecution expressed her optimism that a plea offer can be reached by that date, stating, “I believe there is a good chance we can work this out by then.”

Trial matters are estimated to last three days.