Change in Defense Counsel Postpones Trials of Two ’39 Babies’ Gang Members

By Andrew Michaels - June 13, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

Two members of Baltimore City’s “39 Babies” criminal gang will return to reception court on July 5, following the postponement of their jury trial due to changes in defense counsel.

Karon Tyree Johnson and Pierre Briggs, both 22, were originally scheduled to begin a jury trial, alongside co-defendant Gregory Beadles, on June 12. However, Johnson and Briggs’ cases were moved to reception court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn, while Beadles, 22, proceeded with jury selection before Judge Cynthia Jones.

Defense attorney Deborah Levi, who stood in for both Johnson and Briggs’ counsel, informed Judge Phinn that Johnson’s former attorney, Josh Insley, had a conflict with the case and was unable to represent the defendant moving forward. The Office of the Public Defender is currently searching for a replacement for Insley.

Levi said that she was also standing in for defense attorney Angela Shelton, who was recently assigned Briggs’ case after the departure of the defendant’s former counsel, Robert Ness. Shelton was unavailable to select a new trial date on Monday.

Johnson and Briggs were rescheduled to appear in reception court next month when a new trial date is expected to be set.

Representing Beadles, defense attorney Staci Pipkin said his jury selection would likely last several days.

These cases were a part of an indictment linking 11 gang members to eight attempted murders and four homicides, according to CBS Baltimore.