In the midst of jury selection, a Baltimore resident facing attempted murder charges took a plea of 25 years in prison on March 1 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.
Michael McDowell and his defense counsel Roland Harris, pleaded guilty to 25 years, suspending all but eight years with three years supervised probation for first-degree assault and a concurrent five years without the possibility of parole for the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime in connection to the shooting of a 17-year-old victim on Nov. 5, 2021.
Upon release, the defendant must register as a gun offender and have no contact with the victim.
According to a news release, on the day of the incident, officers were called to the 3600 block of Park Heights Avenue for reports of a shooting. On arrival, officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot to the leg.
The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Given the opportunity to address the court, the 23-year-old defendant said to his family present in the courtroom, “Thank y’all for supporting me.”
