Attempted Murder Suspect Turns Down Plea Offer

By Kavya Vandavasi - April 15, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On April 15, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland set a trial date for 23-year-old Da’Quantay Bailey who suffered gunshot wounds while allegedly trying to shoot another individual.

Bailey is charged with one charge of conspiracy to having a gun in a vehicle, attempted armed carjacking, conspiracy to carjacking, attempted carjacking, conspiracy to armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to robbery, carrying and transporting a handgun, illegal possession of ammo, two charges of attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to first-degree murder, attempted second degree murder, first-degree assault, conspiracy to first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to firearm use in a felony violent crime, three charges each of reckless endangerment, having a handgun on one’s person, conspiracy to having a handgun on one’s person, having a loaded handgun on one’s person.

In addition, he’s accused of conspiracy to having a loaded handgun on one’s person, having a handgun in one’s vehicle, conspiracy to having a handgun in one’s vehicle, having a loaded handgun in one’s vehicle, conspiracy to having a loaded handgun in one’s vehicle, firearm possession with a felony conviction, and illegal possession of a registered firearm in relation to an incident on Oct. 17, 2023. 

Bailey was offered a plea deal of 60 years, suspending all but 25 years, with five years of supervised probation for attempted first-degree murder; 20 years concurrently with the first five years without the possibility of parole for firearm use in a felony violent crime; a concurrent five years and gun offender registration for having a handgun on his person; and 15 years concurrently, with the first five years being without the possibility of parole for conspiracy to have a loaded handgun on his person.

The offer’s aggregate sentence was 60 years, suspending all but 25 years, the first five years without the possibility of parole, five years of supervised probation upon release, a no contact order against all victims and witnesses and gun offender registration. 

Bailey rejected this offer. 

Judge Copeland set the trial date for July 17. The trial is expected to last five days. Bailey will appear with his attorney Christopher O’Meara in front of Judge Lynn Stewart Mays.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department officers found evidence of a crime scene on the 1500 block of Russell Street. Camera footage showed three cars — an Acura, a black Honda and a gray Infiniti — parked at a Royal Farms.

The first victim from the Infiniti was seen conversing with the passenger of the Acura, while the Honda driver exited the car with his front passenger. Two suspects drew their handguns and pointed them at the victim, who opened fire. The victim continued to fire as he fled on foot. 

One suspect was shot multiple times in both legs —- injuries consistent with Da’Quantay Bailey’s —- and was placed inside the black Honda by his co-conspirator, while a third individual in the rear of the vehicle drove them away from the area.

Shortly after, Bailey was checked into a hospital for critical gunshot wounds. Bailey was identified as one of the suspects after investigators determined his clothing matched that of the suspect’s.