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By
Andrew Michaels
- November 8, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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stabbing
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Suspects
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Victims
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The family of Michael Jackson declared they would never stop fighting for justice after losing their 25-year-old loved one in a fatal stabbing in 2022. On Nov. 8, this fight continued when Jackson’s mother and sister opposed a plea offer for defendant Melvin Moore, despite a negotiated agreement between the prosecution and defense attorney.
During Friday’s proceeding, the prosecution shared its initial plea offer of 40 years, suspending all but 25 years, and five years of supervised probation for second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure. Following further negotiations, both parties agreed to defense counsel’s counteroffer of 40 years, suspending all but 13 years, and five years of supervised probation.
However, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong disapproved of the counteroffer, saying she was taking into account the family’s opposition.
Moore is currently charged with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure for Jackson’s death on the 1100 block of North Ellamont Street. According to the prosecution, Moore and Jackson were fighting when the defendant pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim.
The defendant was arrested about four months after the incident.
Jackson’s mother told the court that her son’s four-year-old daughter is “broken” after her father’s murder nearly two years ago on Nov. 16, 2022.
“She’s now broken to a point where I can’t fix that,” she said. “…I understand the plea, but nothing is going to fill the void from the loss of my son.”
The family’s matriarch said the counteroffer was “unsatisfactory,” adding that “someone has to suffer with us.”
“I don’t believe any plea can fill the spot we’re missing,” Jackson’s sister agreed.
The prosecutor acknowledged the family’s position, but explained to Judge Hong that his clinical assessment of the case led to his agreement with the offer. Based on his professional experience, the prosecutor said, the two possible outcomes of going to trial would be a manslaughter or second-degree murder conviction, citing potential arguments of self-defense.
“I think this plea is more than appropriate,” the prosecutor said. “It’s a smart plea because it secures a conviction.”
Defense attorney John Cox said he concurred with the prosecution’s assessment. He also told Judge Hong that the defense would call a witness who claims Moore was the initial aggressor should the case go to trial.
“[Moore] knows and believes in his heart that he does bear some burden in this case,” Cox concluded.
Judge Hong ruled that she would not approve of the counteroffer given the family’s opinion.
Moore’s case is next expected to appear in postponement court before Judge Melissa K. Copeland on Nov. 12.