Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.
By
Sage Cho
- March 19, 2025
Attempted Murder
|
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
Non-Fatal Shooting
|
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong granted attempted second-degree murder defendant Mekhi Green a sentence of 25 years in prison, five years short of the minimum required sentence for his crimes.
“I don’t feel like it warrants 30,” Judge Hong told Green. “My hands are tied. I’m not too below the guidelines that the appellate court will send it back.”
Green, 20, was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, which Judge Hong reduced to attempted second-degree murder on Nov. 21, 2024. Green was also charged with two counts each of first-degree assault, firearm use in a violent crime, and having an assault weapon with an extended magazine capable of containing at least ten rounds, as well as single counts of reckless endangerment, carrying a handgun, and discharging a handgun.
He was convicted by jury for opening fire in a Popeye’s restaurant located in the 4400 block of Edmondson Avenue and wounding a 23-year-old man on Feb. 26, 2024. According to charging documents, responding officers observed bullet holes and recovered 9mm cartridge casings from inside the restaurant.
A security officer who was present at the scene testified that he saw a man and woman, later identified as Green and his girlfriend, entering the restaurant and “shooting after only being in there for a few minutes.” The officer also testified that the pair then fled toward Woodridge Road in an unknown vehicle.
Green’s family and girlfriend were present at the hearing, and his sister broke into tears as Judge Hong announced the 25 year sentence.
Green addressed the court briefly, corroborating defense attorney Augustine Okeke’s statement that “this is a self-defense case.”
“I do apologize for shooting. I do apologize for having the gun,” he said. “But at the end of the day, if I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Judge Hong acknowledged his statement and expressed reluctance in handing down the less than expected sentence.
“Because you selected a jury trial and those 12 jurors found you guilty, I have to give you the higher sentence because the higher court will send it right back,” she informed Green. “I have to sentence you to what the jury found you guilty of.”