Homicide Defendant Pleads Guilty in Connection to Death of MTA Mobility Van Driver

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A 31-year-old Baltimore man pleaded guilty to murder before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria on Dec. 15. 

Ernest Ford, represented by Tony Garcia, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and having a handgun in a vehicle in connection to an incident on Jan. 29, 2021. 

According to the prosecutor, Ford is accused of being an accomplice to the murder of Frankye Duckett on the 4400 Block of Moravia. 

The prosecutor mentioned that the defendant’s car was listed as the primary vehicle where police discovered DNA and blood samples related to the homicide.

Ford and Marquis Poteat were arrested and charged with Duckett’s murder, according to police. Poteat, 33, and Ford are listed as co-defendants in this case. Poteat’s trial is set to begin on May 1, 2023, before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard.   

During the hearing on Thursday, Ford pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact of first-degree murder and could face the maximum charge of ten years.  

Judge Vittoria left the case in sub-curia. The sentencing date was not set during the hearing.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Ford has previously served time for narcotics possession for five prior convictions.

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