Last Minute Alibi Postpones Murder Trial

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A technical violation prompted Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland to deny Gerald McEachern’s request for a trial postponement on April 28–that after an alibi witness came forward a week prior. Judge Jeannie J. Hong noted that under Maryland Rule 4-263C, the defense is required to provide at least a 30-day notice before trial when introducing an alibi, ensuring counsel has adequate time to prepare and investigate.

McEachern, 23, and Daquan Parker, 26, were taken into custody on March 14, 2024, in an alleged connection to a fatal shooting. After witnesses identified Parker as the alleged shooter and McEachern as an accomplice through a photo array, detectives obtained a search warrant of McEachern’s residence and discovered multiple firearms, later apprehending them.

Parker was acquitted in January.

On the evening of March 9, 2024, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the rear alley of the 5000 block of Pembridge Avenue. Rasheed Lindsey, 19, was found nearby in the 3000 Block of Spalding Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds that proved fatal. Investigators recovered 13 shell casings, one live round, and a bullet fragment on the scene, but no firearms were located.

Appearing before Judge Hong, defense attorney Karyn Meriwether emphasized that McEachern’s alibi is critical to the case, stating it informed investigators she saw McEachern at his residence on the night of the shooting with his 2-year-old daughter before she left the residence between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. When she returned at 10:00 p.m., she found him still there. Meriwether noted the shooting occurred at approximately 8:25 p.m. at a location 25 minutes away, which would make it unlikely McEachern reached the scene on time.

Judge Hong questioned why it took the alibi over a year to come forward and noted McEachern had made no prior mention of her during the investigation. Judge Hong also emphasized that the alibi was not present at the exact time of the incident, further undermining her credibility.

She referred the matter to Judge Copeland, who denied the motion and sent it back. McEachern requested a postponement to discharge Meriwether, asking to hire private counsel.

In response, Judge Hong scheduled a separate Zoom hearing for April 29, where McEachern is set to address his postponement request.