Homicide Defendant’s Hearing Rescheduled Due to Lack of Counsel

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A 19-year-old Baltimore teen charged in a 2020 homicide had his hearing to select a trial date rescheduled for October due to not having a defense counsel on Sept. 21. 

Michael Reed, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, four counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm by a minor, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on his person, discharging a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and two counts of having a handgun within 100 yards of a school relating to an incident on Nov. 24, 2020.

The prosecutor informed the court that the defendant did not have counsel. Private attorney John Cox was supposed to be the attorney but was not retained.  

In spite of that, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn ordered a public defender as Reed’s counsel until he can hire a private attorney. Reed’s next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11 before Judge Phinn.

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