Attempted Murder Trial Postponed Due to Health Issues

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

An attempted murder trial for a Baltimore man was postponed due to health concerns for both the defendant and his lawyer.

Reginald Whitaker, 29, is facing charges of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, armed robbery, robbery, theft less than $100, firearm use in felony violent crime, carrying a loaded handgun on his person, firearm possession with felony conviction, firing and discharging a gun and illegal possession of ammunition in connection to an attempted murder and robbery on June 27, 2023.

The trial, previously set to start June 3, was moved to June 4, after the defendant ingested an unknown substance and was sent for medical evaluation. At the scheduled trial time, before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria, defense attorney James Sweeting III requested a postponement due to a medical appointment later in the week now conflicting with the new trial date.

The assistant state’s attorney raised concerns regarding the defendant’s already being held for sentencing regarding a homicide case and the witnesses’ limited availability.

Whitaker, previously convicted of first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder after the back-to-back murder of 33-year-old Traquarn Lewis and the shooting of another man in Fells Point days after the incident in this case, is currently awaiting sentencing.

Judge Vittoria then moved the case to Judge Dana M. Middleton, where she postponed the trial, and set a new date of Aug. 26.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on June 27, 2023, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a shooting located at the 200 block of South Broadway. Upon arriving at the scene, the officer noticed the victim lying on the ground bleeding from his upper left abdomen as a result of a gunshot wound.

While the victim was walking southbound on the 200 block of Broadway, he was approached by Whitaker, who asked the victim for $5. After the victim failed to provide the defendant with the money, Whitaker allegedly pulled out his gun and demanded his wallet. After a short verbal altercation, the defendant allegedly shot the victim and fled the area on foot. The victim identified Whitaker as the suspect via photo array.