Two of three co-defendants accused of gunning down a 15-year-old in May agreed to postpone a hearing to join their cases on Dec. 5, in exchange for more time to review newly submitted video footage related to the fatal shooting.
During postponement court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland, 35-year-old Rodsheead Alexander and 19-year-old Ra’Shawn Smith both agreed to push joint trial matters to Dec. 23 to accommodate the discoveries.
Alexander and Smith each face at least 15 charges, including two counts each of first-degree murder and multiple firearm and conspiracy violations. Also charged in the matter is 19-year-old Zion Wimbish, who faces similar charges but has not participated in his co-defendants’ motions to join their cases.
All three co-defendants were taken in for questioning on May 7, the same day the shooting unfolded on the 3500 block of Brehms Lane. Teenaged victim John Lewis was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and later died at an area hospital.
As Smith’s defense attorney was occupied with trial in an unrelated matter on Dec. 5, Alexander’s defense counsel – public defenders Karyn Meriwether and Sheri Scott – argued on behalf of both defendants that the extra time granted by a postponement would allow them to determine whether the new evidence might prejudice jurors against the two co-defendants.
The cases, which were scheduled to reach trial today before Judge Nicole K. Barmore, ping-ponged around the circuit court throughout the morning as attorneys sought a postponement date.
Judge Copeland ultimately set the matters to be heard later this month, before Judge Martin H. Schreiber II on Dec. 23.
