Judge Continues Scheduling for Teen Facing Over 30 Charges, Two Murders

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On Oct. 2, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn was unable to schedule a defendant’s trial since the prosecutor’s waiting on the outcome of a hearing for his codefendant.

Jabre Griffith is accused in two cases in connection to a pair of March 23 incidents. In one case, he is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first- and second-degree murder, two counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, first-degree assault, having a handgun on his person and possessing a firearm as a minor.

In the other case, 18-year-old Griffith is facing two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, four counts each of attempted first- and second-degree murder, six counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, five counts of first-degree assault and possession of a firearm as a minor.

According to a Baltimore Police Department press release, detectives believe that Griffith is responsible for the deaths of 33-year-old Ernest Hall on the 2800 block of Edmondson Avenue and Micah Young on the 5400 block of York Road, in addition to the non-fatal shooting of six victims across both locations. Griffith was later arrested at Dunbar High School without incident.

Because Griffith’s codefendant, Kamal Brown, has a hearing to decide whether he will be charged as an adult for his role in the crimes, the prosecutor wanted to wait to schedule Griffith’s trial. She said the outcome of that hearing will determine whether or not she offers Griffith a plea agreement.

Judge Phinn advised the prosecutor that if Brown isn’t transferred from juvenile court, she will not further delay Griffith’s judicial process.

Ultimately, Judge Phinn continued the hearing. Griffith will return to reception court with his attorney, Howard L. Cardin, on Oct. 27.

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