First-Degree Murder Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

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A murder defendant accepted a plea offer on Nov. 28, before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.

Rakim Muhammad , 22, was initially charged with first-degree murder, using a firearm in a felony violent crime, carrying a handgun on his person and possessing a firearm as a minor for his alleged involvement in a homicide on Aug 4, 2022.

According to the deal, Muhammad received life suspending all but 45 years, with five years on probation for the first-degree murder charge, and a concurrent sentence of 10 years, the first five without parole for using a firearm in a felony violent crime. Muhammad will also have to register as a gun offender.

Muhammad rejected an earlier deal for life suspending all but 50 years and a concurrent 10 years on Nov. 28.

According to a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) report, Muhammad was charged with shooting 33-year-old Earnest Jackson IV on the 3200 block of Fenwick Avenue.

Previous reporting by Baltimore Witness indicated that Muhammad, who was represented by defense attorney Donald C. Wright, was found not competent to stand trial originally. However, he was ruled competent on June 21.