Attempted Murder Defendant’s Third Attorney Joins Case, Delaying Trial

By Sarah Mullen [former] - April 29, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 43-year-old defendant’s attempted murder trial was postponed on April 29 to allow his third public defender time to examine discovery materials.

Juan Jumal Foster is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of firearm in a controlled dangerous substance offense, having a handgun on his person, having a handgun in his vehicle and discharging firearms.

On April 29, the prosecutor was prepared with a plea offer, totaling 50 years in prison and suspending all but 30. Foster declined the plea without speaking to his attorney. 

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland revealed that Derrick G. Hamlin will be Foster’s third attorney in this matter. Given the large volume of discovery evidence to sort through, and the fact that Hamlin was only recently assigned to the case, Judge Copeland granted his postponement request to delay the trial. 

Foster also requested Hamlin file a motion for bail review in light of the substantial time he has been incarcerated. 

Judge Jeannie J. Hong will hear Foster’s case on Aug. 5. The trial is expected to last for four days.

Documents from the District Court of Maryland state that Foster allegedly shot the victim, his co-defendant’s boyfriend, from the passenger side window of her car before driving away from the 3800 block of Tivoli Avenue. The victim was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital with a shattered left thigh bone.

Foster was identified by the victim to police. Cell phone location data and surveillance footage corroborated his presence at the scene.