Homicide Case Involving Gang Members Not Heard During Reception Court

By Rudy Malcom [former] - August 11, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

The homicide case of two 20-year-old gang members was not heard on Aug. 11 during reception court at Baltimore City Circuit Court, despite being scheduled on the docket.

Baltimore residents Gregory Beadles and Karon Tyree Johnson are accused in a homicide on Dec. 13, 2019, on the 1600 block of Woodmont Avenue.

During a bail review hearing on Aug. 6, the prosecution said the defendants openly identify as members of a gang involved in a string of homicides, non-fatal shootings, and armed carjackings from 2019 and 2020. According to the prosecutor, Beadles and Johnson detailed in text messages how many times they shot the victim of the homicide last December and the weapon that was used.

Beadles is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of second-degree murder, firearm use in a violent crime, first and second-degree assault, possession of a firearm as a minor, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person, and reckless endangerment.

Johnson faces a total of 43 charges: five counts of first and second-degree murder; one count each of attempted first and second-degree murder; three counts of firearm use in a violent crime, first and second-degree assault, possession of a firearm as a minor, illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a firearm, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person, reckless endangerment; and two counts of having a loaded handgun in his vehicle and having a handgun in his vehicle on a public road.

Defense attorney Matthew Connell rejected a plea offer of life for first-degree murder on Johnson’s behalf during reception court on July 28. Beadles is represented by defense attorney Staci Pipkin.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Beadles and Johnson’s case is scheduled for a pre-trial conference at 9 a.m. on Aug. 17.

Both defendants are also slated for an arraignment hearing on Sept. 8 in connection to another murder from Dec. 1, 2019. In connection to that case, the co-defendants each face multiple murder and attempted murder charges as well as counts relating to their alleged gang involvement.

Separately, Beadles is set to return to court on Oct. 27 for a remote hearing due to his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Feb. 25, 2020. He faces a total of 27 charges in the case, including multiple counts of attempted first and second-degree murder.