Attempted Murder Defendant’s Case Dismissed After Victim is A No-Show

By Braden Hamelin [former] - July 13, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Home Page | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

An attempted homicide defendant’s case was dismissed on July 11 after the prosecution could not reach the victim to testify.  

Jai-Shawn Harding, 22, was accused of attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm in commission of a violent crime, having a handgun on his person, possession of a handgun as a minor, possession of illegal ammo and shooting a handgun in Baltimore City in connection to a shooting on Aug. 12, 2020. 

On Monday, the prosecutor entered a nolle pros as the victim, who was shot in the back during the incident, was absent from court and unable to be reached for summons despite the prosecutor’s numerous attempts over the past several months. 

Harding’s defense attorney, Robert Cohen, told Baltimore Witness that the victim was seen on body camera footage from the first officer on scene saying he would, “Deal with it on the street.”

Without the victim’s testimony the prosecutor said he felt it was best to no longer pursue the case. 

In an unrelated case, the prosecutor went through with a second case against Harding, who pleaded guilty to four years, suspending all but time served, for second-degree assault and theft in connection to an incident two days prior to the attempted murder. 

Due to the attempted murder charge against Harding, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer. Schiffer said she was reluctant to allow the defendant to accept the offer, which would essentially release him immediately and not include added probation since Harding is already on probation. 

“I fear for you,” Judge Schiffer said to Harding. 

Schiffer also said Harding was on a concerning path with extremely serious charges against him at his young age. She said he needed to straighten himself out.