Judge Holds Plea Hearing for in Person Acceptance for Defendant Accused of Killing his Younger Brother

By Baltimore Witness Staff - August 15, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 14, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn set a plea hearing date for defendant Devin Wilson who is accused of fatally shooting his younger brother. 

Wilson, 18, along with his defense attorney, Brian Murphy, appeared in reception court via Zoom in order to hear and evaluate the plea deal offered by the assistant state’s attorney. 

Wilson was offered a sentence of 10 years, suspending all but six years, with an additional five years of supervision on probation for involuntary manslaughter. He would also be required to receive occasional mental health screenings. 

The prosecutor told Judge Phinn that the family of the victim did not agree with the involuntary manslaughter charge and believed the act to be indeed an act of murder.

In lieu of that, the prosecutor noted that the offer would expire on Aug. 28. 

Judge Phinn said that she would review the offer sheet and witness statements on her own time, and that this discussion would be better suited for an in person hearing. With that, she scheduled a returning plea hearing for Aug. 25 with Judge John A. Howard. 

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, officers appeared at the scene on the 2100 block of Presbury Street on Dec. 30, 2022, and upon arrival, they found a neighbor performing CPR on Wilson’s brother, Dylan King. 

As reported by Baltimore Witness, they also found Wilson holding a gun to his head, but were able to settle the situation. Wilson was arrested and charged with the manslaughter of his brother on Jan. 17.