Judge Holds Scheduling Trial Date for Murder Defendant to Clear Witnesses

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The decision to set a trial date for a homicide defendant was held until Monday before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

On Sept. 30 prosecutors offered Anton Harris a plea of life, suspending all but 50 years for first-degree murder and a concurrent sentence of 20 years, the first five years without parole and three years supervised probation for using a firearm in a felony violent crime.

Harris, 34, rejected the plea.

Harris is currently charged with first-degree murder, using a firearm in a felony violent crime, and two counts of possessing a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to an incident in May.

The prosecution asked that they wait to schedule a trial date so she may consult with her witnesses.

According to a news release, Harris was arrested on the scene following the shooting death of 34-year-old Keith Johnson on the 500 block of North Pulaski on March 4.

Judge Phinn agreed to meet again on Oct. 3 to select a trial date.