Murder Defendant Rejects 65-Year Plea Deal, Judge Schedules Trial in March 2023

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On Oct. 17, a 23-year-old Baltimore man charged with murder scheduled his trial for March 2023.

Keonteze Montgomery is charged with first-degree murder; use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to an incident on July 18, 2021.

According to a news release, officers were responded to the 800 block of W. Lexington Street after receiving reports of shots being fired. Officers found 45-year-old Donta Sampson was found suffering from gunshot wounds.

The victim was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel shortly after arrival.

The prosecutor presented a plea of life suspending all but 65 years in prison with five years of supervised probation for first-degree murder and use of a firearm during a felony violent crime.

Montgomery and his defense attorney Martin Cohen, rejected a plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn.

Montgomery’s trial is scheduled for March 8, 2023, with Judge Yolanda Tanner presiding. The trial is expected to last four days.