Attempted Homicide Defendant Double Backs to Accept Prosecution’s Plea Offer

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Attempted homicide defendant Antonio Edison opted to plead guilty to an assault and weapons charge on Sept. 6 rather than proceed to the anticipated jury trial.

The 53-year-old Baltimore resident was charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and six firearms charges in connection to an argument-turned shooting with a neighbor on Dec. 18, 2021.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, defense attorney Roland Harris informed the prosecution and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John Howard that his client decided to accept the prosecution’s plea offer, which Edison previously rejected on July 1. Edison agreed to the terms of the plea, which included 20 years, suspending all but seven years, and three years of supervised probation for first-degree assault and a concurrent five years without parole for use of a firearm in a felony violent crime.

Edison is also to have no contact with the victim and must register as a gun offender in addition to paying $250 restitution.

After the defendant accepted the plea, Harris informed his client that he has 10 days to ask the judge to withdraw the plea, 30 days to file an appeal or request the case be brought before a three-judge panel, and 90 days to file a motion to modify his sentence.

The defendant’s 262 days of time served will be applied to his sentence.