Baltimore Resident Rejects Plea Offer

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A Baltimore man accused of homicide rejected a plea offer on Jan. 4 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn

Kenneth Smith, 62, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to armed robbery, and use of a deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection to an incident on June 28, 2020. 

Judge Phinn listened as the prosecutor presented a plea of life, suspending all but 60 years, with five years probation for first-degree murder. 

Smith and his defense attorney, Jonathan Kerr, rejected the plea offer. 

According to the Baltimore Sun, on June 28, 2020, officers responded to a reported stabbing and found 67-year-old Paul Behler who was allegedly robbed at a bus stop. He was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he died. 

Smith’s trial is scheduled for Sept. 14, with Judge Dana Middleton presiding.