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By
Andrew Michaels
, Taniya Moore [former] - August 16, 2023
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Editor’s note: The defendant was acquitted of charges in this case.
A Baltimore man accused of shooting two teenagers on their way home from school fired his defense attorney on Aug. 15 when he claimed his counsel had yet to review evidence to prepare for trial.
On Tuesday, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer was set to preside over the trial of 39-year-old Davon Harold Austin, also known as Devin Earl Jenkins. However, when the judge asked counsel how they planned to proceed with the case, defense attorney Terry Lavenstein asked to be excused because Austin no longer wanted his representation.
Lavenstein informed the court that he was assigned the defendant’s case on May 31 and was unable to review discovery due to a technological error. Austin told the defense attorney that he did not want his representation, defense counsel explained, so Lavenstein did not pursue obtaining the discovery.
After further discussion during the hearing, Austin’s case was sent to Judge Melissa M. Phinn’s reception court where it will return on Aug. 30 for a status update.
Austin’s attempted murder and weapons charges stem from an incident on April 29, 2022, along the 1200 block of Greenmount Avenue. Court documents state that on April 28, 2022, the two victims were walking home from school when Austin, who was leaning against a white GMC SUV, asked them, “What y’all on?” a slang phrase asking what they were doing in the area. Some words were exchanged, but the teenagers walked away.
The following day, as the victims reached Greenmount Avenue, Austin allegedly ran toward them and shot one of the victims in the stomach and once in each arm. Austin then chased the second victim and fired several shots at him.
Court documents did not disclose whether the second victim was injured.
The defendant is charged with two counts each of attempted first and second-degree murder and first and second-degree assault as well as single counts of firearm use in a felony or violent crime, reckless endangerment, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a drug conviction, illegal possession of ammunition, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on his person and discharging firearms.