Attempted Murder Defendant Rejects Plea, Wants ‘Pro Se’ Trial

By Racquel Bazos - October 10, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On Oct. 10, an attempted murder defendant told the Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn he would rather represent himself, “pro se,” than wait until February for trial.

Myreq Williams is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun in his vehicle, having a handgun in a vehicle on a public road, carrying a firearm within 100 yards of the public, illegal possession of ammunition and being an accessory after the fact in connection to an April 15 incident.

Williams, 29, rejected the prosecution’s offer of 30 years for attempted first-degree murder, a concurrent 20 years, the first five without the possibility of parole, for firearm use in a felony violent crime and a concurrent five years for being an accessory after the fact. 

Williams told the court he wanted to see the evidence developed n his case, something Williams says his attorney, Andre Mahasa, had not communicated. According to Williams, he had tried to contact Mahasa multiple times with no response. Williams told Judge Phinn he could represent himself if the prosecutor was available for trial within the next 30 days.

The prosecutor reminded Williams the maximum penalty for his charges was two life sentences plus 45 years, but that did not dissuade him from self-representation.

Judge Phinn told Mahasa that she would not release him from the case and that because he is a private attorney contracted by the Office of the Public Defender, he would have to speak to that office first.

Because the prosecutor was not available until January 2024, it is doubtful Williams will represent himself. Judge Phinn scheduled Williams’ trial to begin on Jan. 10, 2024, before Judge Jeffrey M. Geller.