A first-degree murder defendant went before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland in order to hear the prosecution’s plea offer Aug. 9.
Derek Steele III, 23, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction and having a handgun on his person for allegedly killing 55-year-old Johnny Small on March 1.
The prosecution offered Steele a plea agreement to serve life, suspending all but 50 years, and five years of supervised probation for first-degree murder and firearm use in a felony violent crime. Defense attorney Natalie Finegar stated that they were unable to accept or reject the plea deal at this time due to issues with evidence disclosure.
Judge Copeland then scheduled Steele’s trial for four days, starting on Nov. 22, before Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr.
According to a Baltimore Police Department press release, Steele was arrested for Small’s murder on the 5300 block of Frankford Avenue 10 days after the shooting.
