Judge Postpones Bail for 35 Year Old Charged with Homicide

By Alyssia Davis [former] - November 12, 2021
Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A bail review hearing for a Baltimore man allegedly involved in a homicide was postponed on Nov. 12 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Schiffer. 

Maurice Jones, 35, is charged with first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm in a violent crime, reckless endangerment, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun in his vehicle, having a loaded handgun in his vehicle, and discharging a firearm. 

According to the Baltimore Sun, on Oct. 6, Jones was arrested in connection to the shooting of 31-year-old Seth Tunstall. Police were called to the 600 block of Cherry Hill Road around 5 p.m. when they found Tunstall suffering from gunshot wounds.

Tunstall later died from his injuries. 

During bail review on Friday, defense attorney Warren Brown said Jones had a preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 4, which was set to continue until Nov. 18 to allow Jones to appear in front of a grand jury for the murder charges.

Jones was never indicted because the grand jury refused to do so, the attorney said. The reasoning behind their decision was never made known. 

Brown added that the prosecutor agreed that they would try to release Jones on bail following his preliminary hearing, but coincidentally, the defendant’s bail hearing was set on Friday rather than Nov. 18. 

In addition, Brown said that there was no sense to keep Jones in holding, considering the defendant gave a statement to and cooperated with the police. 

The prosecutor said that he agreed with a lot of what Brown said; however, the prosecutor noted that the defendant was a public safety risk. 

The prosecutor explained that Tunstall allegedly instigated the fight in Cherry Hill by hitting Jones. The fight then spilled out on the sidewalk as Tunstall ended up on his back and Jones allegedly stomped on and punched him. 

Tunstall and Jones both had guns, the prosecutor said. The victim was unable to load his gun and began running away when Jones allegedly shot him twice in the back.

In addition, the prosecutor said he presented the defendant’s case to the grand jury, but they declined to indict.

The prosecution then petitioned for the defendant to remain held without bail. 

Judge Schiffer postponed Jones’ bail hearing until Nov. 19 after his preliminary hearing which is set for Nov. 18.