Defense Attorney’s Judicial Appointment Delays Client’s Trial

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland continued the scheduling hearing of a 23-year-old attempted murder defendant because his attorney has been appointed a Baltimore County judge.

Kyre Redd-Harris is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun in a vehicle, discharging a firearm within Baltimore City, carrying a handgun within 100 yards of the public and illegal possession of ammunition in connection to an April 25, 2023, incident.

During the Jan. 16 hearing, Redd-Harris’ attorney James L. Rhodes told the court that he had not yet been able to review all the video evidence in the case due to ongoing technical difficulties. The prosecutor noted that he sent the videos to Rhodes on Aug. 27, 2023.

Regardless of the evidentiary issues, Rhodes will not be able to continue on as Redd-Harris’ attorney because of his recent appointment to the Baltimore County Circuit Court bench.

Judge Copeland continued the hearing to Jan. 30, so Redd-Harris’ new counsel can enter an appearance.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Redd-Harris is accused of shooting a man behind the Checkers restaurant on the 6600 block of Reisterstown Road during a drug transaction.