Judge Postpones Trial for Defense Attorney’s Military Duty

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The case for a 51-year-old Baltimore man accused of homicide was postponed Aug. 8 due to new information being discovered and more witnesses.

Shawn Purvis is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime, two counts of possession of a firearm with a felony conviction and having a handgun on his person in connection to the shooting 47-year-old Ali Bey after a dispute on June 3, 2021, on the 1900 block of 20th Street, according to the Baltimore Police Department.

Initially, on Jan. 25 Purvis and his defense attorney, Robert Cohen, rejected a plea of life suspending all but 50 years with five years on probation for first-degree murder.

During court proceedings, the prosecution and defense told Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda Tanner that new information was discovered.

The prosecutor also said that new witness experts were needed.

Cohen argued that he was unable to open and analyze the important evidence file sent by the prosecutor. 

He also said he needed to postpone the trial for his military duty, which is slated to begin next Tuesday. With the additional evidence and new witnesses, four days wouldn’t be enough for Purvis’ trial, he said.

A postponement date has not been set.

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