Defendant Accepts Guilty Plea in 2022 Loneys Lane Shooting Case

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During reception court, a reckless endangerment defendant accepted a guilty plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn on Feb. 13.

The prosecution offered defendant Ja’Saiah Roberts a plea of five years, suspending all but 18 months with two years of supervised probation for reckless endangerment and a consecutive five years for possessing a firearm as a minor.

The 20-year-old defendant would also be required to stay away from the victim and register as a gun offender.

Judge Phinn would not accept the defendant’s plea as offered and sent the case to be heard by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Charles Dorsey.

Roberts and defense attorney Karyn Meriwether accepted a plea of five years, suspended all but three years and three years of supervised probation for reckless endangerment, and a consecutive five years for possessing a firearm as a minor. According to the Maryland Judiciary website, the five years for possessing a firearm were suspended.

As stated in charging documents, on July 10, 2022, a shooting occurred on the 600 block of Loneys Lane, and a victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Video footage captured Roberts shooting the victim and running away from the scene.

Roberts is charged with reckless endangerment, discharging firearms, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm as a minor, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person, and illegal possession of ammunition in connection to the incident.