Druid Hill Avenue Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant’s Trial Postponed

By Jaime Chan [former] - July 28, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer postponed an attempted murder defendant’s case because his counsel was unavailable for trial. 

Defendant John A. Ray was set to stand trial on July 26, but his defense counsel, Benjamin Charlton, was unavailable. Judge Schiffer sent the case to reception court before Judge Melissa M. Phinn on July 27 to schedule a new trial date.

The defendant initially wanted to proceed with his trial without his attorney present but later changed his mind. Judge Schiffer claimed that the earliest trial date available would be in two months.

The Maryland Judiciary website states the defendant is set to appear in court again on Sept. 13.

Ray, 36, is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with a firearm conviction, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on person, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, illegal possession of ammunition and discharging firearms.

According to CBS Baltimore, the defendant shot the 40-year-old victim on May 1, 2022, on the 900 block of Druid Hill Avenue after a dispute. When police arrived on the scene, they found the victim had been shot in the ankle.