The trial for 29-year-old Samal Chavis was rescheduled on Jan. 9 after a change in defense counsel.
During reception court, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn was informed that defense attorney Jonathan Kerr would no longer represent Chavis in connection to a shooting on March 21, 2022. Defense attorney James Sweeting III was later assigned to the case and needed time to prepare, so Judge Phinn reset the defendant’s trial date for Feb. 22.
Chavis is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, assault, and reckless endangerment from a car as well as numerous weapons charges for a shooting in the area of Stafford and Parksley Avenue shortly before 9:30 p.m. Baltimore Police arrived at the scene and found a 36-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her face.
About three months later, police identified Chavis as the shooter and the defendant barricaded himself on the 5600 block of Purdue Avenue for several hours before surrendering.
Police believe the shooting occurred between Chavis and the victim after a dispute.
