Man Accused of Attempted Murder Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession

By Caroline Myers [former] - October 14, 2021
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

A man accused of attempted murder pleaded guilty to a gun possession charge after the prosecution and detectives were unable to contact the victim. 

Richard Harrison, also known as Marcus Parker, was charged in connection to a shooting on the 600 block of North Clinton Street on Feb. 23. Police officers were called to the area after reports of gunshots and saw Harrison getting into a black Acura. He accelerated in reverse onto E. Monument Street when he saw the officers. 

When Harrison exited the driver’s side door, he informed the police that he was armed. The officers found a black 19mm polymer handgun, which Harrison is unable to have because of a previous felony conviction. 

Harrison is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, armed carjacking, firearm use in the commission of a violent crime, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, car theft, unauthorized removal of property, firearm possession with a felony conviction, possession of firearms with a prior controlled substance conviction, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person and in his vehicle, having a handgun in a vehicle on a public road, illegal possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm, and three counts of handgun possession within 100 yards of the public.

During reception court on Oct. 14 at Baltimore City Circuit Court, the prosecution requested a postponement from Judge Jennifer Schiffer. The prosecution had made multiple attempts to call and text the alleged victim with no response. Detectives in the case had also attempted to contact the victim on Oct. 12 and 13. 

Judge Schiffer did not grant the postponement because the attempts to contact the victim were only made very recently. Because no postponement was granted, the prosecution was only ready to move forward with a charge for handgun possession.

The prosecution offered a plea of five years with the possibility of parole and credit for time served for illegal possession of a regulated firearm. Harrison would also have to register as a gun offender. 

Harrison’s defense attorneys, Janet Anderson and Robert Cohen, accepted the offer on his behalf.