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Hannah Rainer [former]
- August 26, 2023
Attempted Murder
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Defendant Sean Morris received a new retrial date from Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn following requests for postponement from both sides of counsel.
On Aug. 25, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Barry C. Williams heard from defense attorney, Donald C. Wright, a request for retrial postponement stating the need for further preparation for retrial. The prosecution made a request for postponement as well, given that one witness was unavailable to testify.
However, tensions began to rise in the reception courtroom as Wright and Morris, 34, disagreed on several matters regarding Wright’s communication with the defendant and the job Wright has done representing him since he took the case on in early April 2023.
Judge Williams was the first to hear about this disagreement on that day. The defendant stated that he was frustrated by his attorney, and desired a new one so he could proceed with his retrial.
“You didn’t show me nothing,” said the defendant to Wright later in the day before Judge Phinn in reception court.
Judge Phinn was able to strike an agreement with all involved parties, successfully postponing the retrial date to Nov. 6. She advised Morris that he was within his rights to fire his attorney and seek new counsel. Yet, she warned that bringing on new representation at this date could lead to further postponement.
“‘I don’t want nothing to do with him at all,’ said Morris.”
According to documents issued by the District Court of Maryland, the defendant was charged with the first-degree murder of Troy Gladney on the 700 block of Kevin Road on Aug. 30, 2017. Morris was also charged with firearm use in a violent felony crime, having a handgun on his person, reckless endangerment, and firearm possession with a felony conviction.
As reported by Baltimore Witness, the defendant had previously been found guilty on these charges in 2018. However, his sentence was overturned in Feb. 2022.