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

Baltimore Court Seal

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.

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