Homicide Defendants Charged with August Murder Have Their Trials Scheduled for Spring 2023

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Two Baltimore residents charged with murder rejected pleas of life on Dec. 9 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Raekwon Griffin and Montay Shuler and their defense attorneys Kenneth Man and James Johnston, respectively, were offered the same plea of life plus 20 years with the first five years without parole for two counts of first-degree murder and the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime.

Griffin, 21, and Shuler, 23, are both charged with three counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and two counts of using a firearm in a felony violent crime in connection with an incident on Aug. 5, 2021.

Griffin was also charged with possessing a firearm as a minor and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute or manufacture narcotics.

Shuler was also charged with illegal possession of a regulated firearm.

According to a news release, at 8:20 p.m. on the night of the incident, officers were called to the 4300 block of Flowerton Road for reports of shots being fired. Upon their arrival, officers found 26-year-old Brian Palmer & 33-year-old Darrin Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle.

Both victims were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where they died shortly after from their injuries.

Griffin’s trial is scheduled for March 7, 2023, with Judge Myshala Middleton presiding. It is expected to last five days.

Shuler’s trial is scheduled for Aug. 1, 2023, with Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer presiding. It is expected to last five days.

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