Murder Defendant Absent From Reception Court Hearing After Being Placed on Lockdown

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During a Dec. 1 reception court proceeding, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn ordered parties to schedule a trial date for a murder defendant despite his absence from the hearing.

Bryant Whitaker, 26, is charged with first and second-degree murder, use of a firearm in a violent crime, and illegal possession of a regulated firearm in connection to an incident on July 21, 2018. 

At Thursday’s hearing, Whitaker’s defense attorney, Wray McCurdy, informed the court that his client would not be in attendance as he was placed on lockdown after allegedly assaulting an officer that day.

Despite this information, parties set a Dec. 20 trial date, and anticipate matters to last three days.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Videtta Brown will preside over this case.

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