Judge Schedules Retrial for 2022 Double Murder Defendant

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On Oct. 3, a 24-year-old homicide defendant appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn to schedule his next jury trial on double murder charges.

Montay Shuler is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime and illegal possession of a regulated firearm in connection to the Aug. 5, 2021, deaths of 26-year-old Brian Palmer and 33-year-old Darrin Stewart

Shuler’s codefendant, Raekwon Griffin, was found guilty of the murders in June. 

Because Shuler’s previous trial in this case ended with a hung jury in August, he and his attorney, James Johnston, returned to reception court to schedule his next trial.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Palmer and Stewart were killed on the 4300 block of Flowerton Road. Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers discovered text messages that showed Griffin setting up a drug deal with Palmer at the scene of the crime. A witness called 911 to report the car in which the shooters absconded which was later identified as Shuler’s car. 

Judge Phinn set the proceedings for Jan. 8, 2024, before Judge Barry G. Williams