Defendant in 2022 Washington Boulevard Attempted Murder Accepts Plea After Hearing Prosecution’s Evidence

By Lake Marion [former] - August 10, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The man charged in a 2022 attempted murder on the 2300 block of Washington Boulevard accepted a plea shortly before closing arguments were scheduled to happen on Aug. 8. 

Jose Lewis and defense attorney Warren A. Brown were in a jury trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill when the plea was accepted. 

Lewis, 26, accepted a plea of 20 years for first-degree assault and a concurrent five years without the possibility of parole for firearm use in a felony violent crime. 

The prosecution dismissed all the other counts against the defendant. 

During opening statements, according to the prosecutor, Lewis had a “clear intent to kill the victim.”

In front of a jury of 12 who were chosen to try the case, the prosecutor showed video footage of the incident. He stated that Lewis was accompanied by two other accomplices who walked up to the victim at a bar. 

The prosecution also stated that in the video, words between Lewis, his accomplices and the victim were being exchanged before Lewis struck the victim with a handgun.

“The victim was just enjoying himself at the bar before the defendant and his accomplices came in,” said the prosecutor. “You should find him guilty of all charges in this case.” 

Brown argued that the jury are the ones to decide for themselves whether or not Lewis is guilty, not the prosecution.

“You have to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Brown said to the jurors. 

Brown said the video was “a pathetic presentation of evidence” to prove that Lewis is guilty.

According to court documents, officers were called to the 2300 block of Washington Boulevard for a non-fatal shooting. Officers arrived and found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, legs and arms. The victim was taken to Shock Trauma to be treated for his injuries.

Further investigation revealed that the victim was inside Marshalls Bar when the suspects walked in. According to witnesses at the bar, the suspects instigated an argument with the victim, who then left the bar but was followed by the suspects.

The documents state that as they were all leaving, one of the suspects, later identified as Lewis, was seen pulling what appeared to be a handgun from his waistband area. The suspects grabbed the victim; however, the victim was able to escape and run away.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, the defendant was charged with attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to use a handgun in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm in a controlled dangerous substance offense, having a handgun on his person and illegal possession of ammunition in connection to a Jan. 6, 2022 incident.