Conflict Over Representation Leads to Continuance in Manslaughter Case

By Racquel Bazos - October 2, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Traffic | Victims |

On Oct. 2, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn continued a 34-year-old defendant’s reception court hearing because neither the defense attorney nor the prosecutor were prepared to schedule a trial date. 

Shawn Lee Brunson is charged with vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, theft between $1,500 and $25,000, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle and driving a car without a license in connection to a Feb. 8 incident. 

According to Baltimore Witness, Brunson was driving a stolen Hyundai Sonata when police began pursuing him. While speeding away from police, Brunson crashed into another vehicle on the corner of E. North Avenue and Wolfe Street. The car ran onto the sidewalk, hitting 54-year-old Alfred Fincher and an empty row home. It had been previously damaged by a fire, collapsed and killed Fincher.

Brunson and the passengers in the other car were injured but survived.

When Judge Phinn asked the prosecutor if he was prepared to schedule Brunson’s trial, he said that he hadn’t coordinated the witnesses’ schedules nor asked the defense attorney which dates would be acceptable. 

According to defense attorney Warren A. Brown, the woman supporting Brunson’s legal defense lost her job and is unable to pay for his services going forward. Brown tried to strike his appearance from the case before Judge Althea M. Handy, but the judge denied his request. 

Although Brunson’s former public defenders never struck their appearances and could potentially step back in to represent him, Brunson told the court he’d prefer to keep Brown on if possible. 

Judge Phinn continued the hearing for Oct. 18 to give both parties time to work out the issues in the case.