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By
Caroline Sutley
- April 8, 2025
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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In a surprising turn on April 8, counsel agreed to a nolle prosequi decision not to prosecute, dropping all ten charges against 35-year-old Blake Betters, expunging his criminal record.
Betters was charged in connection to a shooting incident on Aug. 28, 2024, in the 1800 block of Greenmount Avenue. He initially faced charges of first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, firearm possession with a prior felony conviction, reckless endangerment, theft of less than $100, and several other firearm counts.
According to charging documents, Betters and a group of individuals approached the victim before Betters allegedly shot the person in the leg. Betters, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2009 conviction for assaulting a law enforcement officer, was also accused of stealing a toy handgun and a pair of glasses from the victim.
Surveillance footage of the incident and witness identification of Betters via a photographic array were key elements in the investigation.
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Nicole K. Barmore presided over the hearing.