Counsel Requests Postponement to Discuss Plea Offer with Homicide Defendant

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Nearing the second anniversary of a deadly robbery, accused shooter Steven Arthur is expected to discuss a plea offer with his counsel in the coming weeks and determine whether he will proceed with a jury trial.

The 33-year-old defendant is facing first-degree murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy charges for the death of Jameo McClean on May 31, 2021, on the 1900 block of West Fayette Street. Another man, 32-year-old Jerome Johnson, was also arrested and faces similar charges.

On May 26, defense attorney Janine Meckler stood in for Arthur’s attorney, Brandon Thornton, who she said remains on leave. The prosecution presented its plea offer of life, suspending all but 30 years and five years of supervised probation for first-degree murder; a concurrent 25 years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery; and a concurrent 20 years, the first five years without parole, for firearm use in a felony violent crime.

When asked by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn, Arthur said he rejected the plea.

“No one has had a comprehensive conversation with Mr. Arthur about the case and about the offer,” Meckler responded, requesting the case be postponed until early June so that an attorney can discuss the details further with the defendant.

Judge Phinn granted the request, and Arthur is scheduled to return to reception court on June 7, when he is expected to accept or reject the offer.

According to Baltimore Police, Arthur and Johnson shot and killed the 34-year-old victim and assaulted another 33-year-old man at a West Baltimore residence during a robbery turned dispute. Arthur was arrested in February 2022, followed by Johnson’s arrest in September 2022.

Johnson is currently scheduled to appear in court on July 3.

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