Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Granted Four Hours of Personal Time Per Week

By Stephanie Landaverde [former] - June 9, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On June 8, a 38-year-old defendant charged with murder in 2019 was granted four hours of personal time per week with a requirement to inform the court ahead of time. 

Defense lawyer Staci Pipkin told Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn that her client, Joseph Harris, has been in home detention for three and a half years awaiting trial with no violations. Since the court previously denied lifting the home detention, Pipkin proceeded to ask the court to allow Harris four hours of personal time per week, where he would also provide the location he was going to immediately before the court. Due to Harris’ significant other being two months pregnant, Pipkin additionally advocated for Harris’ ability to attend prenatal appointments. 

The prosecutor stated that they asked the victim if they approved of the change, to which there was no objection. Judge Phinn granted both of the defense’s requests. 

Harris is scheduled for trial on Oct. 17. The judge is currently unknown. 

As stated on the Maryland Judiciary website, Harris is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, carrying a handgun on his person, discharging a gun in Baltimore and two counts of carrying a gun within 100 yards of the public in Baltimore. 

According to court documents, on April 18, 2019, officers were called to 200 block of West Baltimore Street due to reports of a shooting. A surveillance video captured the victim engaging in a physical altercation with the defendant. The victim was shot and officers found four 9mm shell casings, blood evidence and metal fragments at the scene. DNA evidence identified Harris as a suspect in the shooting.