Defendant Sentenced to 37 Years for 2023 Attempted Murder

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong sentenced a 26-year-old to 37 years in prison for a 2023 attempted murder.

On January 29, a jury found Anthony Ward III guilty of attempted first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, loaded handgun on his person and discharging a firearm within Baltimore City for an incident occurred on the 4100 block of Frederick Avenue.

Ward was acquitted of attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault.

In court July 8, Ward was sentenced to 25 years for attempted murder and 12 years for firearm use in a felony violent crime with the first five years without the possibility of parole. The sentences are slated to run consecutively. Ward was also sentenced to a year for discharging a firearm. The year will run current to the 37 year sentence. The defendant’s sentence for the misdemeanor charge of having a loaded handgun on his person was merged with the other charges.

During the sentencing the prosecution presented video footage of the shooting, which occurred in March 2023.

The footage showed the 37-year-old victim falling to the ground after the initial shot, followed by Ward firing a second shot. The prosecution argued that the incident could have easily resulted in murder.

Defense attorney Donald C. Wright said the victim’s gunshot wound to the arm was not life-threatening and did not amount to attempted murder.

Wright also highlighted that Ward had completed his GED and had strong support from his family, who were all present in court. Wright said Ward had strong potential for a positive future.