Judge Schedules Trial Date for Co-Defendants in 2022 Drive-By Attempted Murder Case

By Ting Hong [former] - April 17, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Two co-defendants accused of attempted murder received a trial date before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn on April 14. 

Co-defendant Dartagnan Smith and Rudolph Riddick are charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, having a handgun on his person, use of a firearm in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to have a handgun on his person, and conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime. 

They are also charged with two counts, each of first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault in connection to an August 2022 shooting. 

Smith, 23, is charged with an additional count of discharging a firearm, possessing a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition. 

According to charging documents, on Aug. 16, 2022, the first victim received three separate bullet-grazed wounds on the 1200 block of West Baltimore Street. The intended target was then shot by a suspect in a moving vehicle. An investigation revealed that Riddick was driving, and Smith was in the rear driver’s side of the car that struck the second victim. 

During Friday’s hearing, the prosecution offered Smith a plea of 30 years, suspending all but 20 years with five years of supervised probation for attempted first-degree murder, a concurrent 20 years for attempted second-degree murder, and a concurrent five years without the possibility of parole for possessing a firearm with a felony conviction. 

In addition, Smith would have to register as a gun offender. 

Riddick, 25, was offered a plea of 45 years for attempted first-degree murder, a consecutive 15 years for first-degree assault, and five years without the possibility of parole for the use of a firearm in a felony violent crime. 

Smith and defense attorney Karyn Meriwether rejected the plea offered to them. 

Riddick and defense attorney John Deros also rejected the plea offer. 

Judge Phinn scheduled the co-defendants’ trial to take place before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Daniels on Sept. 26. 

It is expected to last four days.