‘I Am Placing Myself at the Mercy of the Court,” Says Frustrated Defendant in Strip Club Shooting Case

By Baltimore Witness Staff - August 15, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

“Not one person has allowed me to speak for myself,” said defendant Aldrich J. Hunter during a scheduling hearing on Aug. 14 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn. 

Hunter, who is represented by Chris Purpura, is accused of opening fire in a strip club in early March. 

On Monday, the prosecution offered Hunter a plea deal of 15 years, without the possibility of parole within the first five for firearm possession with a felony conviction. He was also offered an additional five years for the transmission of a firearm without a serial number. All of these would be set to run consecutively, for an aggregated sentence of 20 years the first five without the possibility of parole.

Purpura rejected the offer on his behalf.

After the rejection, Hunter began to argue for himself saying he did not feel as though Purpura is defending him to the best of his ability.

“I called you last night five times,” Hunter angrily articulated to Purpura. 

Despite his attorney’s attempt to stop him from continuing, Hunter further explained that, “I saved my life… and the employees in the club.”

Finally, breakout rooms were advised and Hunter shared a private conversation with Purpura. Upon their return, concerns continued to be raised. According to Hunter, his crime was “victimless,” and he avidly believes a bail review should be conducted.

In response, Judge Phinn advised Purpura to file a motion for bail on Hunter’s behalf. She also set the defendant’s trial to begin on Sept. 20. 

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on March 5, officers responded to a call of a firearm being discharged in a strip club on the 400 block of E. Baltimore Street. The documents stated that an altercation occurred between the club’s security guard and a group of other men. The security guard was later determined to be Hunter. 

He was then arrested and charged with the possession of a firearm with a felony convictions, three counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm, holding a gun within 100 yards of the public, a loaded handgun on the person, having a handgun on his person, the transmission of a firearm without a serial number, the possession of a firearm without a serial number, the illegal possession of ammunition, the firing of a gun in Baltimore City, and reckless endangerment.