Mixed Verdict in Attempted Murder Case

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An attempted murder defendant was acquitted on the most serious charges on March 15 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cythia H. Jones.

Joseph Harris, 38, was charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, having a handgun on his person, discharging a gun in Baltimore City and carrying a gun within 100 yards of a place of public place.

According to previous coverage, defense attorney Staci Pipkin indicated that the defendant did not intend to kill the victim. Harris, she said, was not the aggressor as he was attacked first and his reaction was self defense.

Harris was found not guilty of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, attempted voluntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

The jury found him guilty of having a handgun on his person, discharging a firearm in Baltimore City and having a handgun within 100 yards of a public place.

Harris will be sentenced on Sept. 11.

According to court documents, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a shooting on the 200 block of West Baltimore Street on April 18, 2019. Video surveillance captured the altercation between Harris and the victim. Detectives found shell casings and locks of braided hair that were linked to Harris via DNA analysis.

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