Defense Questions Victim’s Identification of Attempted Homicide Defendant in Photo Array

By Andrew Michaels - April 1, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 40-year-old Baltimore man with a history of violence was denied bail on April 1 in connection to an attempted homicide more than two years ago.

James Bangura is charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and assault as well as reckless endangerment and six firearms charges.

During Friday’s bail review before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Philip S. Jackson, defense attorney Martin Cohen said there is “a very questionable set of circumstances” in his client’s case as the defendant and victim knew each other very well.

Cohen did not discuss the details of the incident on Feb. 17, 2020, but said that the victim didn’t identify Bangura as the shooter until his second pass looking through photos provided during a photo array with the Baltimore Police Department.

“He had to go through it a second time before he picked my client out,” Cohen said.

The prosecution focused on the defendant’s criminal history, stemming back to 2001 when he was convicted of second-degree assault and robbery. Bangura was also convicted of drug possession with the intent to distribute in 2005.

The defendant, who rejected a plea offer in June, was denied bail and is currently scheduled for trial on Sept. 7.