Manslaughter Defendant Rejects a Plea Offer in Reception Court

By Kayla Blietz [former] - June 21, 2024
Court | Daily Stories |

A 31-year-old manslaughter defendant rejected a plea offer in reception court before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on June 20.

Trae Byes, 31, charged with vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter driving while intoxicated, two counts of driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle while impaired by controlled dangerous substance. driving a motor vehicle on a highway without a required license and authorization in connection with an incident on Feb.15. The defendant was initially facing other vehicular homicide-related charges. 

The prosecutor offered a plea deal to Byes: 10 years, suspending all but five years, which would start from the date of arrest which was Feb. 2, with five years of supervised probation for homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol.  The prosecution would dismiss all other charges. Byes’ defense attorney Michael Ott rejected the offer for Byes. 

According to the prosecutor, the state did set an initial deadline for a guilty plea and the plea offer of June. 14.  The defense asked for an extension on the deadline to June. 21, the prosecutor agreed to the extension but it passed without result.

The three day trial is scheduled to start on Sep.9 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Troy K. Hill.