Judge Schedules Division Street Attempted Murder Trial for June

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On Feb. 24, an attempted murder defendant rejected a plea of 25 years in prison before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Nathaniel Hope and his defense counsel Brian Murphy, a stand-in for James Sweeting III, rejected a plea of life, suspending all but 25 years with five years supervised probation for first-degree attempted murder and a concurrent five years for the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime.

Upon release, the defendant must have also registered as a gun offender.

Hope, 41, is charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, and discharging firearms in connection to an incident on July 18, 2022.

According to a news release, on the day of the incident officers were called to the 1300 block of Division Street for reports of a shooting. On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who told them following a dispute, the defendant shot at him.

Murphy informed the court that he recently entered his appearance on the case and doesn’t know anything about it. He also stated that he will need time to get in contact with Sweeting to obtain all evidence and be brought up to speed.

Judge Phinn scheduled Hope’s trial for June 5 with Judge Charles J. Peters presiding. It is expected to last three days.