Judge Awaits Decisions for Plea Offers in Homicide, Non-Fatal Shooting Cases

By Andrew Michaels - June 2, 2021
Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Plea offers were left up in the air on Wednesday in Baltimore City Circuit Court as defense attorneys in multiple cases continue discussions with their respective clients.

A homicide case against Baltimore residents George Fields, 44, and Joseph Williams, 30, was also heard in postponement court June 2 by Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Fields and Williams are both charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and one count of armed robbery, conspiracy to armed robbery, and firearm use in a violent crime.

Fields and Williams allegedly shot and killed 16-year-old Jordan Daniel in the early morning on Sept. 29. The Baltimore Sun reported that the defendants allegedly approached Daniel, assaulted him and stole his cell phone as well as $200 worth of crack cocaine at a hotel on the 6500 block of Frankford Avenue. Daniel was then held down and shot.

In postponement court, the prosecution’s plea offer for Fields and Williams was for life, suspending all but 60 years, the first five years without parole, and five years of supervised probation following their release for one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery.

Fields’ and Williams’ respective defense counsel said they haven’t relayed the offer to either man, and both cases were rescheduled for postponement court on July 22.

The non-fatal shooting case against Baltimore resident Robert Blake, 51, was also presented on June 2.

Blake faces multiple charges of assault to a law enforcement officer, parole or probation officer or any first responder, reckless endangerment, and firearm use in a violent crime as well as one count of discharging a firearm and one count of possession of body armor.

On July 6, 2016, Fox45 News reported that Blake allegedly shot at police after Baltimore City sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve a warrant. Nearby residents were evacuated from the area on the 6900 block of Reisterstown Road, while officers engaged in an eight-hour standoff with Blake.

According to the prosecution, the case was remanded and the revised offer was for time served for two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of discharging a firearm, and one count of possession of body armor.

While Natasha Dartigue, Blake’s assistant public defender, did not say whether the offer was accepted or rejected, she noted that defense counsel and the prosecution are having ongoing discussions and they “do believe we’re going to be able to resolve this.”

Blake’s case is rescheduled in postponement court on July 28.