Defendant Rejects Plea in Sinclair Lane Non-Fatal Shooting Neighbor Dispute 

By Amna Syed [former] - August 22, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On Aug. 21, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn set a trial date for a 44-year-old defendant after he rejected a plea offer. 

The assistant state’s attorney offered the defendant, Daryl Harper, an aggregate plea. The plea pertains to the following three charges: first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and firearm possession with a felony conviction. 

The assigned prosecutor offered Harper a sentence of 50 years, suspending all but 25 years, the first 10 years being without parole, and five years of supervised probation. The assistant state’s attorney also said Harper was to have no contact with the victim and their family. 

The defendant declined the offer. Judge Phinn then proceeded to schedule a jury trial for the defendant on Nov. 6. The trial is expected to last three days before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette M. Bryant. 

According to court documents, on Nov. 13, 2022, an officer responded to an act of aggravated assault on the 3800 block of Sinclair Lane. Witnesses informed the officer that their neighbor, Harper, was discharging a firearm, and directed him towards the defendant’s home. The officer attempted to speak with Harper, however, the defendant stated that he did not do anything and closed his front door. 

Court documents also state that an officer spoke with the victim, who explained that her and her family have been having ongoing issues with the defendant, who also happens to be their neighbor. According to the victim, Harper and a witness were taking the victim’s trash out of her trash cans and throwing it into her rear yard. The victim stated that she attempted to approach the defendant. He then discharged and pointed a firearm at her saying, “ain’t nobody gonna kill me or touch me now that I have a gun.” The defendant then allegedly shot at the victim, and ran into his home. 

On March 1, the defendant  missed a hearing due to being hospitalized and doctors requesting a competency exam. On March 29, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin agreed with a report from the Department of Health that Harper was indeed competent to stand trial.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Harper is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, carrying/wearing a handgun, a loaded handgun, illegal possession of ammunition, and discharging of a gun within Baltimore City.