Judge Issues Trial Date for Defendant Accused in Edmondson Avenue Non-Fatal Shooting

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn scheduled a trial date on June 6 for a defendant accused of attempted murder in 2022.

Defendant James Eric Sutton Jr. and his defense counsel Natalie Finegar, rejected an aggregate sentence total of life, suspending all but 45 years with five years of supervised probation for three counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts for use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction.

Sutton, 36, is charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of attempted second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault, three counts of use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, two counts of possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, reckless endangerment, possession of firearms during a controlled dangerous substance offense, having a handgun on his person, having a handgun in a vehicle, discharging a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition in connection to an incident on April 24, 2022.

According to court documents, on April 24, 2022, Sutton got into an altercation with another male after attempting to steal two plastic jugs containing a suspected green plant substance. The two engaged in a physical fight and Sutton eventually went back to his car to recover a handgun. He would attempt to fire at the victim but missed him and hit an innocent bystander.

Judge Phinn scheduled the 36-year-old defendant’s trial for Oct. 12 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby. The trial is expected to last four days.