Judge Continues Hearing for Defendant in Belair Road Attempted Murder Case

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On Aug. 28, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn postponed a trial for defendant, Ira Linton’s, attempted murder case.

The prosecutor requested the postponement because a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officer who was a witness in the case went on leave for a month due to his wife experiencing pregnancy complications.

The prosecutor informed the court of the plea agreement, which was a life sentence, suspending all but 25 years, with five years of supervised probation for attempted first-degree murder and a concurrent five year sentence without the possibility of parole for the use of a firearm in a felony violent crime. Linton, 45, would also be required to register as a gun offender and stay away from the victim.

Linton and his attorney, Stephen Tully, are scheduled to appear on Oct. 30 in reception court.

Linton is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, use of a firearm in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, possessing a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of ammunition, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person and firing a gun within Baltimore City in connection to a Jan. 2 incident.

On Jan. 2, BPD officers responded to the 6500 block of Belair Road in reference to a non-fatal shooting. When officers arrived on the scene, they found an unknown male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his neck, head and shoulders. The victim was then taken to the nearest hospital. Through the use of neighboring surveillance cameras and a statement from the victim, Linton was identified and arrested, according to court documents.