Judge Sets August Trial Date for Attempted Murder Defendant

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An attempted murder defendant rejected a 30-year plea offered by prosecutors on Feb. 22 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

James Sutton and his defense counsel Andre Mahasa, a stand-in attorney for James Sweeting III, rejected a plea of life, suspending all but 30 years, with five years supervised probation for first-degree attempted murder and a consecutive five years without the possibility of parole for attempted second-degree murder.

Upon release, the 27-year-old defendant would have also been required to stay away from the victim and register as a gun offender.

Sutton’s trial is scheduled for Aug. 21 with Judge Paul E. Alpert presiding. It is expected to last four days.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Sutton is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and several firearm charges in connection to an incident on July 13, 2022.