A Baltimore man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Dec. 8 for reportedly shooting his niece after a family gathering escalated into violence in January.
Anthony Meredith Jr., 46, stood trial this October regarding a Jan. 12 shooting that occurred on the 5400 block of Clover Road. Meredith and his family had allegedly gathered to celebrate his mother’s birthday when an argument ensued, leading to a shooting that wounded Meredith’s niece in the leg. Though Meredith was acquitted of eight of his 12 charges, jurors ultimately convicted him of reckless endangerment and several firearm violations.
During the sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested that Meredith receive the maximum penalty of 32 years. She cited his lengthy criminal record, beginning in 1997 when Meredith was only 17 years old. Since then, he has incurred four handgun convictions and been in-and-out of prison, including a 24-year stint for attempted first-degree murder. The prosecution stated Meredith is “not an individual who is going to abide by the rules.”
Meredith’s defense attorney, Matthew Connell, requested a 10-year sentence due to the defendant’s middle age. Meredith’s child is soon to graduate from elementary school, Connell noted, and a 10 year sentence would not only grant Meredith the chance to witness his child’s milestones, but also provide greater time and opportunity toward rebuilding his home life.
As the hearing closed, Meredith addressed the court, accepting full responsibility for his part in the shooting while maintaining he was not the aggressor.
“I may not be here today if I didn’t fire those shots in the ground,” Meredith said.
Ultimately, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael A. DiPietro ultimately sentenced Meredith to 30 years, suspending all but 20, with no possibility of parole during the first five years.
