Homicide Defendant Denied Bail

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A Baltimore woman charged with first-degree murder was denied bail on Dec. 22 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Phillip S. Jackson.

Kanisha Spence is charged with first-degree murder and the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime in connection to the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Marquise Powell on the 1800 block of Washington Boulevard on Oct. 30.

Spence’s defense counsel claimed that his 51-year-old client acted in self-defense. He attested that the defendant was in a stressful situation which caused her to react the way she did. The shooting occurred following an alleged argument between the victim and the defendant.

In the defense’s attempt to obtain bail for Spence, he informed the court that his client is a lifelong resident of Baltimore and was not a flight risk since anyone she cares about lives in the city.

The prosecutor argued that the defendant failed to take accountability for her actions, citing the claim against the defendant.

The defendant could have killed two people and seriously injured others, the prosecutor said. She continued saying the defendant had disregarded human life.

Spence’s next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2023.