Baltimore Man Charged with Non-Fatal Shooting Rejects Plea Offer 

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A Baltimore man accused of attempted first-degree murder rejected a plea offer on Feb. 23 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn

Willie McDonald, 36, is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm during a violent crime, having a handgun on his person, and discharging a firearm within Baltimore city in connection to a shooting that occurred on June 21, 2021. 

On Wednesday, Judge Phinn listened as the prosecutor presented a plea of 30 years, the first five years without parole, for use of a firearm during a violent crime. 

Under the plea, the defendant must register as a gun offender.

McDonald and his defense attorney Maureen O’Leary, rejected the plea offer. 

According to the Baltimore Police Department, officers were called to the 1000 block of Cathedral Street around 2:45 a.m. on June 21 when they found a 33-year-old victim with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. 

McDonald’s trial is scheduled for Aug. 30.