Manslaughter Defendant Fires Defense Counsel

By Alyssia Davis [former] - November 9, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Suspects | Victims |

On Nov. 9, a man charged in the death of his girlfriend’s unborn child fired his defense counsel Brandon Mead after filing a complaint against him before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Christopher Panos. 

Rodney Harris informed the court that Mead was “terrible” towards him, claiming Mead called him a “F**king retard” to his face.

Harris said that Mead threatened to continue to postpone his case if he had not paid him an additional $30,000 after they had already agreed on a payment of $20,000. He said he believed Mead was paid to do nothing, claiming he would not update him on what was happening in his case.

Harris also said that his attorney knows nothing about him, including his age, how many kids he has, etc. He claimed that Mead never listened to anything he told him, nor did he ever file any motions on behalf of his client.

He said the only motion Mead filed was a bail motion, but outside of that, the others were all filed by the defendant. 

Harris, 30, is charged with manslaughter and first and second-degree assault in connection to an incident on April 4, 2018. 

According to the State’s Attorney’s Office, officers were called to the 200 block of N. Dallas Court for reports of an assault. Officers were unable to locate anybody involved at the residence. 

However, officers were able to get in contact with Harris via phone. Harris was taking his girlfriend, who was 26 weeks pregnant at the time, to the hospital. After arriving at the hospital, the victim delivered a stillborn baby as a result of being severely punched and kicked in her stomach twelve hours after an argument with Harris, as reported by the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Judge Panos granted Harris’s request to terminate his defense counsel, postponing his trial. 

The stand-in prosecutor at the hearing informed the court that the prosecutor assigned to this case was out with the flu. 

Harris’ next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14.