Judge Continues Hearing After Defendant Bristles at May Trial Date

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On Dec. 13, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn continued a scheduling hearing after a 37-year-old murder defendant complained about not getting a speedy trial.

Tayvon Miller is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime and firearm possession with a felony conviction in connection to a June 28 incident.

Miller rejected an offer from the prosecution of life, suspending all but 60 years, for first-degree murder with five years of supervised probation and a concurrent 20 year sentence, the first years without the possibility of parole, for firearm use in a felony violent crime.

Andre Mahasa stood in for Miller’s attorney James Sweeting III, who was in trial. He and the assistant state’s attorney gave Judge Phinn the previously agreed upon a trial date of May 20, 2024.

“That’s outrageous,” said Miller. His Maryland right to be tried within 180 days of his or his attorney’s first appearance in circuit court will expire March 4, 2024.

Because Miller was concerned about his speedy trial right and the issue could not be resolved in Sweeting’s absence, Judge Phinn continued the hearing until Sweeting until Jan. 2, 2024.

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