Murder Defendant Withdraws Motion For New Counsel

By Baltimore Witness Staff - February 18, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 29-year-old Baltimore man charged with first-degree murder withdrew his request for new counsel on Feb. 17 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gregory Sampson.

Marquis Dixon is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime, having a handgun on his person, and two counts of possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to an incident on Feb. 10, 2020.

According to court documents, on Feb. 10, 2020 at 3:57p.m. officers were called to the 500 block of Bethune Road for a report of a shooting. Officers found a group of people surrounding the victim, Devon Stewart, who was lying face up on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound to his upper left torso.

After being identified by his son at the scene, Stewart was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma where he later died.

During the hearing on Thursday, the defendant’s defense counsel Romel Showell was not present as he withdrew his motion for new counsel.

According to Dixon, after speaking with Showell, he changed his mind about wanting new representation. “We had problems, but got over it,” Dixon told the judge.

Judge Sampson accepted the defendant’s withdrawal.

Dixon’s next hearing is scheduled for April 19.