Attempted Murder Defendant Weighs Not Criminally Responsible Plea

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A 23-year-old attempted murder defendant received a June trial date from Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland in an April 25 hearing.

Jesse Freels is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, two counts of firearm possession with a felony conviction, having a handgun on his person, having a gun within 100 yards of the public, illegal possession of ammunition and firing a gun in Baltimore City in relation to a Jan. 24, 2023, incident.

Freels, represented by Karyn Meriwether, was found competent by Judge Gale E. Rasin on April 4. However, Meriwether wanted Freels to be evaluated further. The defense had filed a not criminally responsible (NCR) plea, wanting to challenge his competency with an NCR hearing held in May.

Judge Copeland noted that Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill would not be available to preside over an NCR hearing. However, Judge Copeland scheduled Freels for a three-day jury trial starting on Aug. 7 before Judge Fletcher-Hill.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to the 200 block of North Eutaw Street for a call reporting a shooting. Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) surveillance footage showed a suspect firing several rounds at a victim before fleeing and getting on a bus. Freels was later spotted seemingly in the same clothing as the shooter and was arrested.

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