Judge Postpones Scheduling Hearing to Accommodate Murder Defendant’s Speedy Trial Rights

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A Baltimore City murder defendant was vocally displeased with postponing his jury trial on April 12 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn.

On Wednesday, defendant Devon Sample and his defense attorney Roland Brown appeared before Judge Melissa Phinn to schedule a new trial date.

Judge Phinn urged lawyers to pick a court date within the next month, or two, considering that Sample’s Hick’s date passed six months ago.

A defendant’s Hick’s date is their right to a speedy trial under Maryland law. The 27-year-old defendant’s Hick’s date was Oct. 11, 2021.

Attorneys are scheduled to return to court on April 17 with trial dates.

Judge Phinn requested that lawyers email her their availability before the scheduled hearing so that she can plan the court’s availability and, if necessary, call in a senior judge.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Sample is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of firearm use during a violent crime, violence against a pregnant person, having a handgun in the vehicle and having a handgun on his person in connection to the deaths of Shaiand Miller, their unborn son, and her 3-year-old daughter, Shaniya Gilmore, on June 18, 2020.