Dewan Houshins, 24, rejected a plea offer during a pre-trial hearing presided by Baltimore City Circuit Judge Melissa K. Copeland.
Houshins has been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft valued less than $100, conspiracy to commit theft valued less than $100, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on his person, discharge of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
For attempted first-degree murder, the state offered Houshins 50 years in prison, suspending all but 20 years, and five years of probation. For firearm use in a felony violent crime, the state offered an aggregated sentence of 50 years, suspending all but 20, the first five years of which would have no possibility of parole, as well as five years of probation and mandatory registration as a gun offender.
When asked about his decision to reject the prosecution’s plea offer, Houshins revealed that he had not previously discussed the deal with his defense attorney, Matthew Connell. Connell was not present at the time of this plea decision.
Houshins is scheduled for trial on April 14.
