Judge Sets Trial Date for Attempted Murder Defendant for Next Month

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On Sept. 27, an attempted murder defendant had his trial date set after his defense counsel rejected a plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

The prosecutor offered defendant Roderick Davis a plea of 30 years, suspending all but 12 years with three years supervised probation for second-degree attempted murder; 12 years with the first five years without the possibility of parole for using a firearm during a felony violent crime, the charges are set to run concurrently.

Under the plea, the defendant would also have been prohibited from having any contact with the victim.

Davis, 40, and his defense attorney Chris Purpura rejected the plea.

Davis is charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm and discharging firearms in connections to an incident on May 27, 2020.

Once the defendant decided to go to trial, the prosecutor requested a postponement to locate the victim. He said he has been in regular contact with the victim in the past but the victim has since moved, preventing him from serving a subpoena.

Davis’ trial is scheduled for Oct. 26 and is expected to last two days with Judge Barry G. Williams presiding.