Judge Finds It Unfair to Schedule Murder Defendant for Trial in Absence of Defense Attorney

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn did not find it “fair” to reschedule a murder defendant for trial in the absence of his defense attorney on Jan. 30.

Defendant Jalonte Davis was expected to begin trial on Monday for his alleged involvement in a murder that occurred on March 1, 2020, but his defense attorney Henry Barnes was not present.

According to the defense stand-in Eric Berman, Barnes was in court for another case in Anne Arundel County. Judge Phinn continued the scheduling hearing until Feb. 3 in order to allow Barnes to be present.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Davis, 25, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction.