Judge Sets November Trial for 2022 E. Madison Avenue Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

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On Aug. 4, a case for a 35-year-old charged with attempted murder was postponed due to the defense counsel needing more time to prepare after his pretrial motion was denied before Baltimore City Court Judge Dana M. Middleton.

The case for the defendant, Michael A. Harris, represented by defense counsel Matthew Connell, was moved to reception court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn to account for Connell being unprepared for trial after Judge Middleton denied his pretrial motion to exclude DNA evidence due to the lack of control over the completion of DNA reports.

The Harris is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, firearm use in a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person, discharging firearms and reckless endangerment.

Judge Phinn scheduled the trial to begin on Nov. 29 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette M. Bryant. The trial is expected to last four days.

According to court documents, at 6:36 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2022, officers responded to a shooting report at the intersection of E. Madison Avenue and Edison Highway. No victims or suspects were found at the scene initially, but later a crime scene was discovered on the 3200 block of E. Madison Avenue. Shortly after, two victims arrived at the John Hopkins Emergency. One victim, Harris’ sister, had a gunshot wound to the face and the other victim had seven gunshot wounds to the body. The investigation revealed that Harris was upset over his sister getting assaulted the day prior, and believed the second victim did it.

Documents state on Nov. 9, 2022, Harris and an unidentified co-defendant also approached the scene where his sister’s car was towed, both armed with guns. They both demanded the suspected assailant move away from Harris’ sister. When his sister refused to move out of the way, Harris and his co-defendant opened fire, injuring both Harris’ sister and the suspected assailant. Harris’ sister positively identified Harris as the one who shot her and the alleged assailant during a recorded interview on a body-worn camera.

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