Murder Defendant’s Case Reopened on Constitutional Grounds

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“This is my life that I’m currently fighting for.” Anton Harris, 37, said on April 4 as he begged Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland for a fair jury trial.

The Appellate Court of Maryland reopened Harris’ case on Dec. 16, 2024, almost two years after he received a 40-year sentence for the May 4, 2022 fatal shooting of Keith Johnson, 34. Officers arrested Harris the same day at the incident location on the 500 block of N. Pulaski Street, shortly after he allegedly attempted to flee intonearby woods.

Harris called his previous jury trial unconstitutional, noting that one witness summoned to testify against him suffered a stroke that caused memory loss and affected testimony.

“My constitutional rights were stolen and taken in so many ways,” he told Judge Copeland.

Harris was initially charged with first- and second-degree murder, firearm possession with a prior felony conviction, and firearm use in a violent crime, but was only found guilty of the lessor offense.

Judge Copeland set Harris’ trial date for July 29 before Judge Cynthia H. Jones and assured him he would receive a fair trial.