Attempted murder defendant Antonio Nance dismissed public defender Augustine Okeke on June 17, citing the latter’s alleged inefficiency in handling the case.
Nance, 43, further stressed to Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K Copeland that Okeke is overly negative and fails to offer any positive insight into the matter.
“I seen him probably once or twice since I was locked up,” Nance added.
Nance is charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and three gun offenses in connection to a non-fatal shooting incident that occurred near a Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) bus the morning of Aug. 12, 2025.
According to charging documents, the incident began when a verbal dispute between a suspect, later identified as Nance, and a male victim escalated aboard an MTA bus on the 2700 block of W. Franklin Street. Witnesses reported that at one point, the suspect pushed another passenger off the bus while telling him to “get off” and asking if he wanted to fight. When the victim ran around the bus, Nance reportedly pursued him and fired multiple more shots outside.
Okeke told the court that he presumes the source of Nance’s frustration is with the nature of the charges against him, and stated he can’t control the defendant’s frustrations.
Judge Copeland said she found Nance’s reason sto dismiss Okeke were without merit adding that Nance may have to represent himself at trial.
“Understand that this trial will proceed as scheduled,” Judge Copeland told Nance. “Understand that you will be unrepresented…[and] you do not have a right to appoint counsel of your choice.”
Following Nance’s acknowledgement, Okeke was removed from the case.
Nance’s trial date is currently set to proceed on July 14.
