Lawyer’s Illness Postpones Homicide Trial

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The trial of a 23-year-old homicide defendant was postponed because his attorney was sick on Aug. 13, the day the proceeding was scheduled to begin.

Jason Johnson is charged with first-degree murder, firearm possession with a felony conviction, attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, affray or fighting in public, and two charges of firearm use in a violent felony crime in relation to the murder of  Kimberly Benjamin on June 6, 2023.

In front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn, defense attorney Brandon Patterson explained the difficulty he had had in communicating with Johnson. He also noted Johnson wanted to begin the trial as soon as possible but understood the circumstances.

Judge Phinn accepted the postponement request, setting the five day trial for Aug. 19 in front of Judge Jeannie J. Hong.