Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.
By
Andrew Michaels
- December 20, 2024
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
Homicides
|
Shooting
|
Suspects
|
Victims
|
Defense counsel for the accused killer of 32-year-old John Parrish said she believes her client’s case “is not going to be a trial,” but will resolve once she retrieves “mitigation documents” regarding his military service.
Leon Spencer, 42, has been charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime and firearm possession with a felony conviction in connection to Parrish’s death on July 16. According to Baltimore Police, the defendant shot the victim during a verbal altercation on the 3200 block of Lawnview Avenue.
Parrish was critically injured and died from his injuries two days later, police reported.
On Dec. 20, Spencer and his attorney, Natalie Finegar, appeared in reception court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn. Finegar told the court she is attempting to retrieve some mitigation documents from the military; however, she did not specify what the documents entail or which branch of the military Spencer served.
The prosecutor noted that there was no current offer at this time.
Judge Phinn and counsel agreed to schedule Spencer’s four-day trial to begin March 4, 2025, before Judge M. Brooke Murdock. Finegar said it’s possible she may ask for a postponement depending on whether she receives the requested documents in time, which the judge understood.