Judge Accepts Attempted Murder Plea after Another Judge Refused

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A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge accepted counsels’ plea agreement for an attempted murder defendant on Dec. 19 after another judge refused to proceed, deeming the terms insufficient for the crime.

During Monday’s reception court proceedings, Darius Marta Johnson, 21, and his defense attorney, Staci Pipkin, appeared before Judge Melissa Phinn to accept the prosecution’s plea offer of three years, suspending all but one year, and three years of supervised probation for having a loaded handgun on his person; a concurrent one year for reckless endangerment; and a concurrent one year for discharging firearms.

The prosecutor said the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office initially offered 18 months, which changed after the defendant requested probation; however, the prosecution said the current offer was reasonable.

Judge Phinn informed the court that she did not believe the punishment fit the crime and suggested bringing the plea before another judge.

After the case was transferred to Judge Martin Schreiber, the judge accepted a slightly modified plea of three years, suspending all but two years, and three years of supervised probation for having a loaded handgun on his person; a concurrent one year for reckless endangerment; and a concurrent one year for discharging firearms.

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