Jason Williams, 37, appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael A. DiPietro on Aug. 12 to present a motion to dismiss his attorney, Jerry Rodriguez.
Williams said Rodriguez failed to provide a rigorous defense by omitting evidence that Williams believes vital to his case. Williams also cited serious strategic differences in their approaches to his defense.
Williams reportedly belongs to a drug trafficking organization called “4200” that sells cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. He faces first-degree murder and firearm charges in connection to the fatal shooting of 58-year-old Solomon Wise that occurred Nov. 3, 2024, on the 4200 block of Sheldon Avenue.
Judge DiPietro granted the motion, finding that Williams understood his charges and the potential impact of dismissing his counsel. He gave Williams the option to seek a postponement to obtain new counsel, which Williams declined in lieu of representing himself at trial.
The court is currently selecting a jury.
