Homicide Defendant Rejects 35-Year Plea

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A Baltimore man charged with first-degree murder rejected a plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn on Aug. 29.

Jose Lewis, 25, is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, conspiracy to use a firearm during a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm, having a handgun on his person, and illegal possession of ammo in connection of an incident of Jan. 6.

The prosecutor presented a plea for life, suspending all but 35 years for first-degree attempted murder and 20 years without the possibility of parole for the first five years. Under the plea, the defendant would also serve five years of supervised probation for the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime. The terms are set to run concurrently.

Under the plea, the defendant must stay away from the victim and register as a gun offender.

Lewis and his defense attorney Warren Brown rejected the plea.

Lewis’ trial is scheduled for Feb. 14, expecting to last three days long, with Judge Cynthia H. Jones presiding.