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By
Connor Driscoll [former]
- July 28, 2021
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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The suspect in a shooting near the Mondawmin Mall in April was denied bail on July 28 at the Baltimore City Circuit Court. The ruling was handed down though the victim, who is the only witness in the case, now claims he had lied about the defendant’s involvement in the shooting.
Baltimore resident Keith Johnson will remain in jail while awaiting trial, having been denied bail and release for the second time.
Johnson, 31, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, home invasion, armed robbery, robbery, third and fourth-degree burglary, reckless endangerment, and five gun-related charges. He is also charged with conspiracy to the following: commit home invasion, armed robbery, robbery, and third and fourth-degree burglary.
The charges stem from a shooting on April 17 on the 3000 block of Tioga Parkway, which left a 32-year-old man wounded, as previously reported by Baltimore Witness. Johnson was arrested less than a month later.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Johnson’s defense attorney, Tony Garcia, and the prosecution both acknowledged that the victim had recanted his statement implicating Johnson in the shooting.
Through a letter and videotaped testimony, the victim said he had lied to investigators about Johnson’s involvement in the shooting and planted evidence in an attempt to frame him.
Garcia pointed out that Johnson has no criminal record and that the state had “no corroborating evidence” other than the victim’s initial identification.
The prosecution argued that the letter appears to have been written by two individuals, not solely Johnson. Additionally, the letter states a revolver was used in the shooting, which is not supported by the shell casings found at the scene. Lastly, since Johnson is the brother of the victim’s significant other, the state suggested the recanting could be the result of inappropriate pressure by the defendant’s family.
After considering the circumstances and the seriousness of the charges, Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr. ruled that Johnson should not be released from jail.
Johnson’s next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.