Defendants Choose Different Paths in Attempted 1st Murder Case 

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One of two co-defendants accused of attempted first-degree murder will be heading to trial while the other elected to take a plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Philip Jackson.

Blair Jones, 21, and Darl Parker, 22, were charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, conspiracy to first-degree murder, conspiracy to first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a violent crime, conspiracy to use of a firearm during a violent crime, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, wearing/carrying a handgun within 100 yards of the public, reckless endangerment, discharging firearms, and illegal possession of ammo. 

Jones is also charged with possession of a firearm with a felony conviction. 

During court proceedings on April 22, Parker and his defense attorney, Catherine Flynn, reached a plea agreement with the prosecution. Parker accepted a plea for 30 years suspending all but 12, with the first five years without parole, for first-degree assault and use of a firearm during a felony violent crime. 

Jones and his defense attorney Maureen Rowland previously rejected a plea of 12 years, with the first five years without parole, for conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and firearm use during a felony violent crime on Dec. 10, 2021. 

Jones chose for his case to proceed to trial, with jury selection beginning during Friday’s proceedings. 

The two were charged in connection to an event on May 8, 2021, where Parker allegedly shot the victim in the ankle after a dispute and fled the area. The defendant was identified through surveillance footage.