Georgia Resident Rejects Plea to Firearm Charge

Baltimore Court Seal

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

Donate Now

On Feb. 13, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland scheduled the trial of a 29-year-old non-fatal shooting defendant after he rejected a plea offer.

Christian R. Johnson of Mableton, Ga. is charged with having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person, reckless endangerment and firing and discharging a gun in connection to a March 31, 2023, incident. 

The prosecution offered Johnson a plea deal of three years, suspending all but one year of incarceration, with three years of supervised probation for having a handgun on his person. Johnson would also be required to register as a gun offender. Defense attorney Catherine Tarantino rejected the offer on her client’s behalf after discussing the terms with him. 

Judge Copeland scheduled Johnson’s one-day trial for April 8 before Judge Gregory Sampson.