'I Was Given a Lawyer by Force,' Attempted Homicide Defendant Tells Judge

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An attempted homicide defendant’s case was postponed nearly five months on May 5 after the defendant adamantly expressed disapproval of his private defense counsel.

Addressing Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn during reception court, 19-year-old Jamal McDaniel said he never hired private defense attorney Craig Ross but was “given a lawyer by force.”

The defendant is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, firearm use during a felony violent crime, and drug possession with firearms for an incident on June 5, 2021.

“I didn’t even want him in the first place,” said McDaniel, who added that he should be compensated for the cost. “I told him multiple times I didn’t want him.”

The defendant alleged that Ross did not want to review his case during Easter weekend and wanted to postpone, which seemed to further agitate McDaniel.

Judge Phinn confirmed with Ross and fellow defense attorney Brian Bishop, that the firm will no longer represent the defendant, which the attorneys said they will submit in writing.

The judge scheduled McDaniel for a three-day trial beginning Oct. 12, noting that hopefully McDaniel will have representation by then and she could reschedule the trial.

McDaniel was previously denied bail in February before Judge Jeannie J. Hong.

‘I Was Given a Lawyer by Force,’ Attempted Homicide Defendant Tells Judge