Misunderstanding Over Defendant’s Legal Representation Postpones Attempted Murder Trial

By Andrew Michaels - August 22, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

A clerical error involving an attempted murder defendant’s legal representation caused the postponement of his jury trial on Aug. 21.

James Sutton was scheduled to begin jury selection on Monday before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby. However, the case fell short when defense attorney Andre Mahasa informed the court that another attorney, Natalie Finegar, mistakenly filed her appearance in Sutton’s case.

Mahasa said Finegar represents another defendant of the same name, which led to the error.

Judge Ausby agreed to send the case to Judge Melissa M. Phinn’s reception court, where Mahasa requested to postpone the trial to give him more time to review evidence and talk with his client. Counsel agreed to return to reception court on Sept. 29 when they are expected to schedule a new trial date.

Earlier in the proceeding, the prosecution offered Sutton a plea of life, suspending all but 30 years, for attempted first-degree murder and a consecutive five years without parole for firearm use in a felony or violent crime, which he rejected. The plea also required the defendant to stay away from the victim and register as a gun offender after his release.

Sutton is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, reckless endangerment, illegal possession of ammo and discharging firearms in addition to two counts of having a handgun in a vehicle and four counts of illegal possession of a firearm.

His charges stem from an incident on July 13, 2022, when Sutton allegedly sold marijuana to the victim. According to charging documents, the victim told Baltimore Police Department officers that he was driving on the 700 block of W. Saratoga Street after the purchase when the defendant cut him off in a Focus Taurus. Sutton got out of his car and walked up to the victim’s car with a gun in his hand, accusing the victim of giving him fake money.

When the defendant demanded his marijuana back, the victim cooperated; however, as the victim was running away, Sutton allegedly shot him in his ankle.