Homicide Defendant’s Plea Hearing Postponed

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A homicide defendant’s plea hearing was postponed from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17 in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, 24-year-old Gerson Diaz-Arita is accused of first-degree murder of 39-year-old David Rodriguez Ramirez in October 2022 on the 3300 block of Annapolis Road. Diaz-Arita is also charged with firearm use in a felony or violent crime, reckless endangerment and having a loaded handgun in a vehicle.

Diaz-Arita’s plea hearing was delayed due to his defense attorney, Stephen Beatty, not agreeing with the prosecution on the terms of the plea deal, and Beatty also arguing that Diaz-Arita didn’t get to communicate with his family before the deal.

In lieu of the hearing, counsel will move forward to trial.

Diaz-Arita’s case was heard in front of Judge Lynn S. Mays.