Attempted Murder Defendant Denied Bail for Second Time

Baltimore Court Seal

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.

Donate Now

A Morgan State University student accused of attempted murder was denied bail for a second time before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie Hong on Jan. 21. 

Marcellus Walls, 18, is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm in violent crime, possession of a firearm as a minor, having a handgun on his person, reckless endangerment, and discharging a firearm in connection to an incident on Oct. 23, 2021.

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, officers were called to the 2300 block of Argonne Drive at approximately 6:40 p.m. for reports of shots being fired. On arrival, officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot to the chest. 

The victim was taken to John Hopkins Hospital for further treatment.

During a bail hearing on Friday, Judge Hong listened as the prosecutor noted that the defendant got into a fight with the victim, then pulled out a gun and fired at him. There was a video of Walls walking away from the scene and pictures. The prosecutor also said that the defendant confessed to committing the crime over a jail phone call to his family, stating that he did have a firearm and got into a dispute with the victim. 

Walls’ defense attorney, Brandon Mead, informed the court that the defendant has no previous charges, and has no history of mental health issues or any drug use. He continued mentioning that Walls was raised by a good family, graduated high school, and was currently enrolled in college.

In addition, Mead added that Walls is not a threat to public safety. Therefore ask that he be released on home detention. 

After listening to both counsels, Judge Hong deemed Walls a threat to public safety and the victim and denied his bail request. 

Walls’ next court appearance is scheduled for April 11.