Murder Defendant Released on Electronic Home Monitoring After 29 Years in Prison

By Cimone Gass [former] - February 25, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A Baltimore man who was convicted of murder was released on electronic home monitoring on Feb. 25 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Phillip S. Jackson.

John Artis, 51 is charged with first-degree murder and use of a handgun to commit a crime in connection to two incidents in July of 1993. After a number of failed appeals, the defendant was granted a new trial on July 2, 2020.

During a bail hearing on Tuesday, Judge Jackson listened as the prosecutor informed the court that the defendant had been convicted of two homicide cases making him an extremely violent man. The prosecution recommended that the defendant be held without bond because there’s no guarantee he won’t commit another violent crime.

Artis’ defense attorney, Greg Fischer, argued that his client is a different person from when he was 22 because he is now 51. His client was born and raised in Baltimore and experienced a lot of trouble as an adolescent, Fischer said. His mother gave him up and he was a homeless teenager who broke into different cars to stay warm and even turned to drugs.

In addition, Fischer mentions that his client earned a certificate for sobriety, completed a parenting class, completed a 22-month paralegal institute course, receiving a certificate with the highest honors. The defendant also mentioned that when he has an opportunity to be outside of prison, he wants to use paralegal skills to help others.

Fisher recommended that the defendant should be released on private home detention and monitored. 

After listening to counsel, Judge Jackson released Artis on electronic home monitoring because there is no evidence of a reason to keep him locked up.

According to the Baltimore Sun, on July 10, 1993, officers were called to the 500 block of Gold Street for reports of shots being fired, where they found 20-year-old Michael Tillman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Just five days later the defendant shot and killed 25-year-old Dorian Lamont Brown after attending the first victim’s funeral.

Artis’ next hearing is scheduled for May 2.