Judge Sets Trial Date for Defendant in O’Donnell Street Attempted Murder Case

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A defendant in a 2022 non-fatal shooting case rejected a plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn on Feb. 23.

At Thursday’s hearing, the prosecution proposed a plea to defendant Rooney Poudyel of 20 years, suspending all but time served for first-degree assault; and a consecutive sentence of 20 years, suspending all but 10 years, the first five years without the possibility of parole and four years of supervised probation for using a firearm in a violent felony crime. The defendant would have also been required to stay away from the victim and registered as a gun offender .

Poudyel, 38, who is represented by defense attorney Partick Seidel, rejected the offer.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, the defendant is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, using a firearm in a felony violent crime, handgun on his person ,loaded handgun on person, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, having a handgun with 100 yards of a school or college, discharging a firearm and reckless endangerment in connection to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 2022.

According to the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD), Poudyel was arrested and charged with the shooting of a 31-year-old male victim. The victim was found suffering a graze wound to the arm on the 2900 block of O’Donnell Street.

Judge Phinn scheduled for Poudyel to start trial July 13 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Christopher L. Panos and is expected to last three days.