Judge Grants Sentence Reduction for 2003 Juvenile Murder Defendant Tried As Adult

By Inacent McKeithan [former] - March 15, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 14, a Baltimore man convicted of first-degree murder appeared in a motion’s hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby. 

During Tuesday’s hearing, Edie Fortuna, who represents defendant Jodie Hill, presented an argument in support of a motion to reduce Hill’s sentence.

According to Maryland Judiciary Search, on Sep. 22, 2003, Hill, now 38, was sentenced to life for first-degree murder; and a concurrent sentence of three years for possession of a deadly weapon with intent to cause injury. 

Fortuna insisted that the judge consider the age of the defendant at the time of the offense when rendering a decision on the motion. 

In his 2003 trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John C. Themelis, Hill was tried as an adult for a 2002 fatal shooting despite only being 17 at the time of the offense. 

Despite his status as a minor, the assistant state’s attorney reminded the court that following the shooting, the defendant was allegedly seen walking around with the shotgun used in the murder.

Judge Ausby granted the motion to reduce Hill’s sentence after considering “his remorse” and his age at the time of the murder. 

Judge Ausby modified the defendant sentence to life, suspending all but time served for first-degree murder; and a concurrent sentence of time served for possession of a deadly weapon with intent to cause injury. Upon release, the defendant is required to participate in five years of supervised probation. 

The defendant’s first post-release status hearing is scheduled for April 19 before Judge Ausby.