Defendant Accepts Offer that Requires Him to Testify Against Co-Defendant

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One co-defendant accepted a plea offer while the second defendant rejected a plea for first-degree murder before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer

Jerry Cruz, 20, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in a violent crime, possession of a firearm as a minor, having a loaded handgun in vehicle, and having a loaded handgun on person in connection to an incident on March 16, 2020. 

His co-defendant Ulises Lopez, 21, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in a violent crime, illegal possession, possession of a firearm as a minor, having a loaded handgun in vehicle, and having a loaded handgun on person in connection to an incident on March 16, 2020. 

Cruz and his defense attorney Raymond Griffith accept the plea offer requiring the defendant to plead guilty and testify against Lopez in court. Griffith also said, as part of the plea deal, the defendant can receive a maximum of 10 years in prisonl or lesser time depending on the judge’s decision. 

According to the Baltimore Sun, on March 16, police responded to a shooting of 28-year-old Sergio Jones on the 400 block of South Lehigh Street. Police said homicide detectives quickly identified Cruz and Lopez as suspects. 

Lopez is set for trial on Oct. 8. 

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