Homicide Defendant Charged with Mother’s Murder Rejects Plea, Set for November Trial

By Sophie Gad [former] - March 25, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 32-year-old woman charged with her mother’s murder rejected a plea of 40 years with five years probation on March 23 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn. 

Toni Arnold is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in a violent crime, having a handgun on her person, and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to an incident on Aug. 16, 2021. 

During reception court on Wednesday, Judge Phinn listened as the prosecutor presented a plea of life, suspending all but 40 years, with five years probation for first-degree murder. 

Arnold and her defense attorney, Natalie Finegar, rejected the plea. 

According to a news release, Baltimore Police Department officers were called to the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard around 10 p.m. for reports of gunfire, where they found Sherry Birmingham on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. 

The victim was taken to  Shock Trauma, where medics pronounced her dead. 

Arnold’s trial is scheduled for Nov 16. before Judge Christopher Panos.