Judge Transfers 17-Year-Old Defendant’s Case to Juvenile Court

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The attorney for a 17-year-old attempted murder defendant, who pleaded guilty to three charges, successfully moved to transfer his client’s case to juvenile court on Jan. 23.

The defendant was previously denied transfer on Aug. 30, 2024.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul J. Cucuzzella granted defense attorney Andre Mahasa’s request for a delayed sentencing, resetting the date to March 7 in juvenile court.. 

The defendant is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, having and firing a loaded handgun, and illegal possession of ammunition in connection with an Oct. 29, 2023 shooting in the 1500 block of Penrose Avenue. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and having and firing a loaded handgun. The remaining counts were reserved for his sentencing.

Officers arrested the defendant the day of the incident after witness reports of two males, one clad in all black and the other in all gray, walking northbound along Gilmore Street. The male in gray fled the scene, while the defendant did not. Officers responding to the scene found a teenage female victim suffering from gunshot wounds to her left arm and substantial blood loss.

Investigators recovered a 9mm casing outside the building on Penrose Avenue, and a witness was able to identify an individuals said to be the defendant. 

He was released on pretrial supervision.