Attempted Homicide Defendant With No Priors Released to Home Detention

By Ashleigh Joplin [former] - August 27, 2022
Attempted Murder | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

An 18-year-old Baltimore teen charged with attempted murder was released to home detention by Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones on Aug. 26.

The prosecution asked Judge Jones if the defendant be held without bail due to the nature of the crime. She said the incident was more than just an “argument over weed,” and the defendant, Michael Simms, allegedly tried to rob the victim at gunpoint before he was pushed out of the car they were sitting in. Simms then allegedly shot once into the car, hitting the victim. 

Police responded to the shooting on the 4100 block of 6th Street, where they found a 27-year-old man suffering from an apparent gunshot to the right arm. 

The Baltimore Police Department arrested Simms on July 5 on the 800 block of Glade Court.

Simms is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, armed robbery, robbery, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, discharging a firearm, having a handgun on his person, and having a loaded handgun on his person for an incident that occurred on April 23.

Simms’ defense attorney Robert Wright argued that Simms was being overcharged because there was no evidence linking him to the crime.

There are phone records between the victim and the person he intended to meet up with and purchase marijuana, but those records have yet to be analyzed, said Wright.

With Sims having no prior convictions, Wright requested Simms be released to home detention.

Judge Jones approved the request, but ordered Simms to stay away from the victim.

Simms’ next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2023.