Charges Dismissed Against Attempted Homicide Defendant

Baltimore Courthouse

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Charges against a 19-year-old attempted homicide defendant were dismissed on Oct. 28 after the shooting victim failed to appear in court for the trial.

A jury was selected on Oct. 27, with the trial’s opening statements expected to begin on Thursday.

Tayquan Blue, who was 17 at the time of the incident in December 2019, was charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, firearm use in a violent crime, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm as a minor, having a handgun on his person, and firing a gun in Baltimore City.

On Thursday, the prosecution informed Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor that the victim failed to appear in court twice. The prosecutor said the victim was expected to be in court on Wednesday but was not due to “miscommunication.”

A detective with the Baltimore Police Department went to the victim’s home to take him to the courthouse earlier Thursday morning, she explained, but the victim was nowhere to be seen.

The prosecution moved to dismiss the charges against Blue, who was represented by Brian Levy.

Blue is scheduled to return to reception court for a separate case involving multiple drug and firearms charges, but an exact date is unknown at this time.