Homicide Defendant’s Retrial Date Set After Original Conviction Overturned  

By Baltimore Witness staff - February 1, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

After his conviction was overturned, a 32-year-old man’s retrial date was scheduled Feb. 1 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn. 

Sean Morris is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime, having a handgun on his person, reckless endangerment, and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to an incident on Aug. 30, 2017. 

During reception court on Tuesday, Judge Phinn listened as counsel discussed a new trial for the defendant. 

According to CBS Baltimore, on Aug. 30, 2017, at approximately 2 p.m., officers were called to the 800 block of North Woodington Road for reports of shots being fired. They found Troy Gladney suffering from several gunshots. 

Medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene. 

After rejecting the initial plea of life suspending all but 60 years, with five years of probation upon release, for first-degree murder and use of a handgun in a violent crime.  Morris was found guilty on all charges by the jury during his initial trial. 

This conviction of life in prison plus a consecutive 35 years was overturned on the grounds that witnesses had been improperly permitted to testify about their fears of coming to court. The appellate court ruled the testimony to be “unduly prejudice” to the defendant, as it may have insinuated him being responsible for witness intimidation, which was unclear.

Morris was represented by defense attorney, William Buie III.

Morris’ re-trial is scheduled for Sept. 13 with Judge Yoland A. Tanner presiding.