Judge Schedules Attempted Murder Defendant’s Trial for October

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A 35-year-old attempted murder defendant rejected a 20-year plea on Sept. 12 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Dana Stewart is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a loaded handgun on her person, and having a loaded handgun in a vehicle in connection to an incident of Feb. 9.

The prosecutor presented a plea of 20 years, suspending all but seven years with five years supervised probation for use of a firearm during a felony violent crime.

Under the plea, the defendant must stay away from the victim and her family as well as register as a gun offender.

Stewart and his defense attorney Robert Ness, rejected the plea.

Stewart’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 12 and is expected to last four days.

In 2019, Stewart was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute narcotics with a drug conviction in connection to a four-month police operation to dismantle the “Black Magic” drug crew, known for selling fentanyl and cocaine in the Baltimore area.