Jury selection began March 16 in the case of Phillip Morton, 27, a man charged with murder, robbery, armed carjacking and criminal conspiracy on March 16 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey M. Geller.
According to court documents, Morton has been linked to the fatal shooting of Travis Chance, 16, on July 11, 2019. The shooting, which occurred on the 5600 block of The Alameda, also left two victims injured.
On Monday, defense attorney Avrohom Greenfield filed a motion to exclude from trial a confession letter Morton had written detailing the reasoning for his crimes. The motion was denied as Judge Geller stated the letter was significant evidence that should be shown to the jury.
The prosecution offered Morton a plea deal of life, suspending all but 30 years with an additional five years of probation. The state added that since Morton was currently serving a sentence for a different crime until 2028, the sentence for the 2019 shooting should be served after completing the previous one.
Greenfield respectfully rejected the offer on behalf of his client.
The trial is expected to last five days and conclude on Friday, March 20.
