Attempted Murder Defendant Trial Scheduled for April 2022

By Alyssia Davis [former] - November 17, 2021
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Suspects | Victims |

A Baltimore man accused of attempted murder rejected a plea offer on Nov. 16 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn. 

Keith Betts, 34, is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm in a violent crime, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, discharging firearms within Baltimore City, reckless endangerment, and illegal possession of ammo. 

He is charged in connection to an incident on April 22. 

Judge Phinn listened as the prosecutor presented a plea of life, suspending all but 25 years, with the first five years without parole, and three years supervised probation for first-degree attempted murder and use of a firearm in a violent crime.

Under the plea, Betts must also stay away from the victim.

Betts and his defense attorney, Tony Garcia, rejected the plea offer. In addition, Betts decided to maintain his Hick’s date, which is his right to be tried within 180 days of his first court appearance. 

According to CBS Baltimore, on April 22, officers responded to reports of gunshots on the 5600 block of York Road. On arrival, officers found a 32-year-old man suffering from gunshots to his upper back at a nearby Wendy’s fast food restaurant. However, investigators were able to confirm that the shooting did not occur there. 

Betts’ trial is scheduled for April 20, 2022.