Ailing Defense Counsel Postpones 23-Year-Old Homicide Defendant’s Sentencing

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The sentencing of 23-year-old Antonio Purisima was postponed until March as his defense counsel was ill.

Purisima is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Kevin Moody on June 15, 2022. After agreeing to plead guilty to first-degree murder last November, the defendant was scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 30 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy.

A defense attorney standing in for Ronald Kurland on Jan. 30 said Kurland was sick and unable to attend. Counsel agreed to reschedule Purisima’s sentencing for March 1 at 9 a.m.

Purisima and his co-defendant, 21-year-old Jerritt Barron, are facing charges for fatally shooting Moody on the 2200 block of Ashton Street. The co-defendants were initially set to be tried together; however, Purisima opted for a plea, while Barron is currently scheduled for a jury trial on March 11.