Defense Petitions for New Sentencing for Attempted Murderer

By Lucy Kim [former] - July 13, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Suspects | Victims |

Defense counsel petitioned fora new sentencing for a 37-year-old Baltimore man who was charged with attempted first-degree murder and use of a firearm during a crime of violence before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John Nugent on July 7. 

Yahyi Shiheed was convicted of first-degree attempted murder and use of a firearm during a violent crime in connection to a domestic violence-related incident on March 8, 2016.

Shiheed’s defense attorney Elizabeth Hilliard requested a sentencing in light of a mitigation report prepared by a social worker.

Judge Nugent and the prosecutor had no objection to allowing the social worker to testify about the interview she had with the defendant. 

The social worker said she prepared a mitigation report for Shiheed, which explains the trauma he experienced as a child.

During his interview, she said she learned that Shiheed was removed from his mother’s care due to her substance abuse. Furthermore, his father was not present at any point in his life. At times when his mother was there, Shiheed was physically, emotionally, and verbally abused.  

In addition, the absence of his parents exposed him to violence and hopelessness in Baltimore, the social worker said.

Hillard said that if the court had been aware of Shiheed’s childhood trauma, then the consideration of his sentence would have been lowered. The defense reiterated how the evaluation conducted by the social worker is an important component of this case. 

Judge Nugent said he would consider the mitigation report and make his decision.  

Shiheed’s next hearing has not yet been determined, according to Maryland’s Judiciary website.