Def Jam Records Manager Denied Bail in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

By Katherine Strauch [former] - July 13, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting |

A Def Jam Records manager accused of firing a handgun was denied pretrial release on bail during a Baltimore City Circuit Court hearing on July 13.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant fired a gun during a fight on Feb. 8. He is charged discharging a firearm. At the time, the 26-year-old defendant, was under probation and pretrial supervision and had three other pending matters. For these reasons, the prosecution argued that he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.

The defendant is also charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and two other weapons charges.

Defense attorney Donald Wright argued that his client should be released due to his severe health issues; his deep ties to the community, including his work at Def Jam Records; and the emotional trauma of losing mother figures in his life.

Wright pointed out that the fight was not categorized as a shooting in the report of the incident. Additionally, the reporting officer wrote that he did not see any signs of a disturbance.

Judge Anthony F. Vittoria denied the defendant’s bail. He is scheduled for trial on Oct. 8.

Judge Vittoria also denied another non-fatal shooting defendant’s bail.

According to the Baltimore Sun, prosecutors allege that Baltimore resident Donte Evans shot a 39-year-old man and assaulted a 25-year-old man on the 3300 block of Round Road on May 11.

Evans, 25, is charged with two counts of attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and firearm use in a violent crime. He also faces two other weapons charges.

Defense attorney Benjamin Charlton argued that, as a result of being held in jail, Evans has already lost his public housing privileges. Since his father’s death in 2020, Evans has cared for his nine siblings and must continue to care for them.

Because Evans was identified by an anonymous witness, Charlton disputed his client’s involvement in the incident and argued that he should be released.

However, Judge Vittoria ruled that Evans will continue to be held without bail.

A trial date is set for July 29.