Judge Postpones Homicide Trial So Defendant Could Hire Private Counsel

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A 19-year-old Baltimore man accused of first-degree murder had his trial rescheduled to November on May 2 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

William Clinton III is charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed carjacking, conspiracy to armed carjacking, armed robbery, conspiracy to armed robbery, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of a firearm as a minor in connection to an incident on May 3, 2021.

The prosecutor also requested for the trial to be postponed, although it was scheduled to begin trial today, due to the defendant wanting to hire private counsel.

However, Judge Phinn informed the defendant that she will specially set his new trial date telling him if he could not hire private counsel then Maureen O’Leary will continue to be his attorney.

Clinton was also offered a plea deal of life suspending all but 25 years for first-degree murder.

Clinton and his defense attorney Maureen O’Leary rejected the plea.

According to Fox45 Baltimore, on May 3, 2021, officers responded to gunshots on the 3700 block of Fords Lane. They found 31-year-old Efraim Gordon suffering from gunshot wounds to his body.

Clinton’s trial is scheduled for Nov. 14, and it is expected to last five days.

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