Defendant Receives Trial Date in September for 2022 Homicide Case

By , Ashleigh Joplin [former] - February 9, 2023
Daily Stories |

A defendant charged with first-degree murder waived his right to a speedy trial on Feb. 8 due to scheduling issues with all parties. 

During a reception court hearing on Wednesday before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn, the defendant Donte Simms waived his Hick’s right, which is his right to be tried within 180 days of his or his attorney’s first court appearance, after his defense attorney, prosecution, and witnesses could not align schedules. 

Defense Attorney Marci Johnson informed Judge Phinn that the defendant’s family was in the process of potentially hiring defense attorney Brad McFee. She added that there were also outstanding discoveries in relation to autopsy results. 

Simms, 44, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and firearm possession with a felony conviction in connection to an incident that occurred on Aug. 8, 2022. 

The defendant is expected to stand trial on Sept. 18. Judge Phinn did not have a judge to assign to the case and told counsels that she would email them when she had one available.