Man Charged in Royal Farms Arena Shooting Rejects Plea

By Caroline Myers [former] - October 1, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A man charged with a fatal shooting in front of Royal Farms Arena rejected a plea offer, saying he’s had no contact with any lawyer in nine months.

Calvin Stevens, 30, is accused of fatally shooting Khari Johnson in broad daylight in front of Royal Farms Arena on Baltimore Street on Jan. 15, 2020.

During reception court on Sept. 30, Stevens told Judge Melissa Phinn that he has never spoken to his defense attorney, Michael Lawlor. Stevens also said that the last time he had spoken to any attorney was nine months ago, and it was his last attorney, Todd Oppenheim. 

In July, Stevens’ case was sent to be tried in Prince George’s County because of an undisclosed conflict of interest. The prosecutor in attendance on Thursday is a part of the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The prosecution offered Stevens life, suspending all but 60 years, for first-degree murder, and 20 years, first five without the posibility of parole, for firearm use in a felony violent crime, to be served concurrently. These are the only charges against Stevens.

After rejecting the plea, Lawlor told Judge Phinn that an agreed upon trial date between the defense and the prosecution was May 23, 2022.

Judge Phinn rejected such a delayed date , and Stevens was in agreement.

Counsel then agreed upon a trial date of Feb. 8, 2022.