Armed Assault Defendant Declines Plea Offer

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A man accused of perpetrating an armed assault declined a plea offer posed by the prosecution on Nov. 7 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Anthony Walker is charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm possession with a felony conviction, firearm use with a felony conviction, carrying and wearing a handgun, and handgun in a car in connection to an incident on May 6.

Court documents allege that Central District patrol officers reported to the scene after two rounds of shots were reportedly fired on the 900 block of W. North Avenue. Once officers arrived, they located three men fighting in the street.

CCTV footage revealed Walker was chasing after an unidentified man bearing a black handgun in his right hand. The victim allegedly stood outside the defendant’s vehicle as he retrieved items from his trunk, looked in Walker’s direction, and began running.

Walker was reportedly shot in the chest. One of the other males was shot in the back of the neck. The third male “left the location and did not report any injuries.”

During Monday’s court proceeding, the prosecution proposed a plea offer entailing 25 years, suspending all but 15 years for first-degree assault. This sentence is to run consecutive to a five-year prison term for possession of a firearm with a felony conviction.

According to the Maryland Daily Record, Walker possesses an extensive criminal background, with a previous arrest in 2016 by the Baltimore City Police Department for “an array of drug distribution crimes and conspiracy.”

At the hearing, Walker, 43, expressed his opposition to the plea offer proposed, shouting, “No” as the prosecution delivered the deal.

Walker’s defense attorney Alex Leikus reiterated Walker’s sentiment, rejecting the offer.

Judge Phinn scheduled Walker’s trial to begin on Jan. 4, 2023. Parties anticipate the trial will last three days.

Walker is currently subjected to a $20,000 unsecured bond.