Defendant Declines to Waive Speedy Trial Right

By Rudy Malcom [former] - August 11, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland presided over an attempted murder case in which the defendant declined to waive his right to a speedy trial.

Baltimore resident Andre Davis is charged in connection to an incident on May 31, 2020. 

On July 28, Davis, 35, was offered a plea of 35 years, suspending all but 20, with five years of supervised probation upon release, for attempted first-degree murder; 10 years for attempted second-degree murder of a minor; 10 years for firearm use in a violent crime, the first five without the possibility of parole; five years for second-degree assault and two counts of reckless endangerment; and three years for having a handgun on his person. Under the plea, the sentences would run concurrently.

Davis is also charged with another count of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, three other counts of second-degree assault, and three counts of first-degree assault. Additionally, Davis is charged with attempted first-degree murder of a minor and destruction of property over $1,000, and discharging firearms. 

During the hearing before Judge Melissa M. Phinn last month, Davis’ defense attorney, Shannon Heery, said the offer had not yet been relayed to her client.

When the case returned to reception court on Wednesday, Davis declined to waive his right to a speedy trial. Judge Copeland said she would find probable cause to postpone his case.

She then scheduled the case for trial before Judge M. Brooke Murdock on Nov. 15, though Heery said defense attorney Jonathan Kerr, who also represents Davis, would not be available.

“I don’t know if you can always get the benefit of having two defense attorneys on the case,” Judge Copeland told Heery.