Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland scheduled a December retrial date for a 28-year-old defendant on Oct. 23 after his trial was postponed earlier the same week.
Maurice Prioleau, 29, is charged with first-degree murder and assault, two counts of firearm use in a crime of violence, and two other firearm violations in connection to the death of DeAngelo West, 27.
West was shot in the head on the 2400 block of E. Preston Street, the day after last Christmas. He was pronounced deceased three days later.
The postponement was attributed to a new prosecuting attorney assigned to the case less than a month prior, on Sept. 29, and required additional time for trial preparation. Defense attorney Augustine Okeke also noted he would no longer be available on the previously scheduled date of Oct. 20.
Counsel proposed the week of Dec. 8 for trial, contingent on the court’s availability, and confirmed that Okeke would also be available then.
Judge Copeland found good cause to postpone the case and ultimately scheduled the trial to begin Dec. 8. Proceedings are expected to last three days before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence R. Daniels.
