Alleged ‘39 Babies’ Gang Members Finally Receive Trial Date

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On Nov. 13, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn scheduled a trial of three co-defendants accused of being in the ’39 Babies’ gang and committing multiple violent crimes and drug offenses. A hearing was continued for another co-defendant whose attorney did not appear.

The assistant attorney general had plea offers for three of the codefendants.

For Gregory Beadles, she offered a sentence of life, suspending all but 55 years, for first-degree murder, a concurrent 10 years for participation in a criminal gang, a concurrent five years without parole for firearm use in a felony violent crime and another concurrent 10 years for attempted first-degree murder. Beadles, 22, rejected the offer via his attorney, Staci Pipkin.

Represented today by stand-in attorney Todd Oppenheim, Pierre Briggs received an offer of 50 years, suspending all but 25 years, for attempted first-degree murder, a concurrent 10 years for participation in a criminal gang, a concurrent 10 years for attempted first-degree murder, five years without parole for firearm use in a felony violent crime and five years without parole for firearm possession with a felony conviction. Briggs, 22, rejected the offer.

Lastly, the prosecution offered Karon Tyree Johnson a sentence of life, suspending all but 65 years, for first-degree murder, a concurrent 10 years for participation in a criminal gang, a concurrent five years for possession of a firearm as a minor and a concurrent sentence of life, suspending 65 years, for another count of first-degree murder. Michael Lawlor, 22-year-old Johnson’s attorney, told the court the offer had been relayed and rejected.

Datwain Jackson’s attorney, Augustine Okeke, did not appear in reception court. The prosecutor said that 22-year-old Jackson will not be tried with his other codefendants because she was waiting to discuss potential trial dates with Okeke.

Judge Phinn continued Jackson’s hearing to Dec. 18 for scheduling.

Meanwhile, for the other three defendants, the prosecutor requested a 14-day trial beginning on Feb. 5, 2024. Judge Phinn slated the trial for that date and said a senior judge will likely preside over it.

Today’s hearing resolved months of scheduling headaches for the court. In July, the prosecution told Judge Phinn this case would require a five-week trial.

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