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By
Caroline Sutley
- March 24, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting
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On March 24, 48-year-old Jermaine Jones exercised his right to a speedy trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey after the state requested a postponement.
Jones is charged with first- and second-degree assault and various firearm-related offenses for a non-fatal shooting incident on Aug. 30, 2024.
The case, which was originally scheduled as a jury trial, was delayed due to the prosecution’s involvement in another trial. Defense attorney Louis Guth emphasized Jones’ right to a speedy trial and objected to the request.
The Maryland Hicks rule requires that criminal trials must begin within 180 days of defendants’ initial appearance in circuit court. Guth asserted that April 21 is Jones’ 180-day mark, and he will not waive his deadline.
According to court documents, at approximately 10 a.m., Jones arrived at C&A Towing and Auto Repair Service located on the 5200 block of Eleanora Avenue. He was seeking a specific person who worked at the shop. After being told by an employee that the person was not at the shop, Jones allegedly grew agitated and began kicking and hitting the shop’s entrance door. The employee told police he heard the commotion followed by a gunshot-like noise.
Jones was identified as the only person at the scene and was immediately apprehended by officers who recovered a handgun on site.
It was later revealed that Jones was upset because the employee he was looking for allegedly owed him money. Jones allegedly fired a gun, striking the entrance door and damaging the door behind it. However, the employee said Jones did not threaten him.
Judge Ringgold-Kirksey referred the matter to Judge Melissa K. Copeland, who scheduled a follow-up hearing for March 25 due to uncertainties regarding the prosecution’s availability.