Homicide Defendant Has Hearing Rescheduled to Find New Counsel 

By Alyssia Davis [former] - August 25, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 24, a 29-year-old Baltimore man accused of homicide had his hearing rescheduled until September before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn. 

During court proceedings, Jaquan Terrell Burks‘ defense counsel Bradley Shepard told the judge that his client’s second trial resulted in a mistrial and as a result of that the relationship between counsel and the defendant suffered. 

Shepard also said he could not ethically represent the defendant based on what happened following the trial. He said he motioned to be dismissed from Burks’ case, but it was denied by Judge Charles J. Peters.

Burks is charged with first and second-degree murder, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, and having a handgun on his person in connection to an incident on July 9, 2018.

CBS Baltimore previously reported that Burks allegedly shot and killed Emmanuel Cruz on July 9, 2018, outside a bar on the 400 block of N. Haven Street.

After listening to the defense, Judge Phinn dismissed Shepard as Burks’ attorney. 

Burks’ case was rescheduled for Sept. 9, so that he may find a new defense attorney.