Circuit Court Judge Schedules Trial for Attempted Murder Defendant

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On Dec. 2, a Baltimore resident accused of attempted murder rejected a plea of 25 years for first-degree assault before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Courtney Sykes and his defense attorney Matthew Connell rejected a plea of 25 years, suspending all but 12 years with five years supervised probation for first-degree assault and a consecutive 20 years, suspending all but five years with the first five years without the possibility of parole and five years supervised probation for the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime. Under the plea, the defendant cannot have any contact with the victim.

Sykes, 30, is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, illegal possession of ammo, and discharging firearms in connection to an incident on May 13.

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, at 3:25 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of Cliftview Avenue for reports of shots being fired.

The victim told the police that the defendant walked up to her while she was talking to a friend and opened fire, shooting at her four times. In an attempt to get away, the victim ran to her car and drove away.

Sykes’ trial is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2023, with Judge Videtta A. Brown presiding.