Judge Grants Defense Request to Continue Hearing on Friday

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A 21-year-old homicide defendant’s defense counsel rescheduled his client’s hearing on Sept. 16 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Singelton Duppins is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, two counts of second-degree assault, and possession of a firearm as minor in connection to an incident on Feb. 28, 2020.

On Friday, the prosecutor presented a plea of 40 years suspending all but 20 years with five years on probation for first-degree murder and 20 years for use of a firearm during a felony violent crime. The terms are set to run consecutively.

Under the plea, the defendant must get a mental health screening and treatment.

Duppins’ defense counsel Roland Brown requested to continue the hearing until next Friday to give him more time to go over the case and the plea offer with his client.

Judge Phinn granted the request, continuing the hearing on Sept. 23.

According to WMAR News, on Feb. 28, 2020, officers were called to the 2500 block of Gibbons Avenue for reports of shots being fired. They found 26-year-old Graham Blake suffering from gunshot wounds.