Judge Continues Scheduling Hearing for Codefendant Accused in 2022 Homicide Case

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On Aug. 14, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn continued the scheduling hearing for a defendant due to his codefendants taking a plea deal.

Defendant Ronnie Harris, Jr., who is represented by Andre Mahasa, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, having a handgun on his person and witness tampering in an incident that occurred on Jan. 31, 2022.

Judge Phinn scheduled the next reception court hearing for Harris on Oct. 3.

As stated in Baltimore Witness, Harris’ codefendants, Janay Barksdale and Morgan Reed, were both charged with accessory after the fact to first- and second-degree murder, witness retaliation and conspiracy to commit witness retaliation.

Reed has agreed to testify against Harris in exchange for a plea.

According to District Court of Maryland documents, on the day of the incident, police were notified that a victim was shot in the head on the 3400 block of N. Franklintown Road. The victim, James Moore, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene. A witness came to police and identified 40-year-old Harris as the shooter after he threatened her not to talk to police.

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