Defendant Waives Trial Start Date Against Judge’s Advice

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At a Baltimore City Circuit Court reception hearing on Jan. 24, 28-year-old homicide defendant Bryant James Peyton waived his Hicks trial start date against Judge Melissa K. Copeland‘s advice.

Peyton is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction and having a handgun on his person.

The first available trial date would exceed the 180-day deadline of April 23.

Peyton will return to court to discuss a pre-trial hearing date on Feb. 14 in accordance with defense attorney Augustine Okeke’s availability.

However, Judge Copeland warned the calendar could be pushed back to July or August.

The court currently awaits a DNA report from the victim’s autopsy.