Multiple murder defendants rejected plea deals during a June 26 reception court hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland.
Among them was Jermaine Reed, 26, who rejected a plea offer of life, suspending all but 60 years on charges of first-degree murder and firearm use.
On Dec. 18, 2025, Baltimore police found Dwann D. Hawkins, 43, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the living room floor of a residence located on the 2400 block of Elsinore Avenue. Hawkins later died at the hospital.
Witnesses who were at the scene at the time of the shooting allegedly identified Reed as the suspect after reviewing a photographic array. Baltimore City Police also recovered eight .38-caliber shell casings, swabbed blood and mail addressed to Reed on the scene.
Reed and his attorney William Porter are set for trial beginning Sept 8 before Judge Hope Tipton, with four days allotted for proceedings.
Derrick Ashe, 41, is also set for trial charged with the murder of Jemel Dixon, 36, in January. Ashe rejected a plea offer from the state as well. He is now set to stand trial for four days, beginning Oct. 9, before Judge Yolanda A. Tanner.
Charging documents state Ashe allegedly shot Dixon on Jan. 18, outside a gas station on the 1000 block of W. North Avenue. Dixon was found on the ground with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Despite lifesaving measures, Dixon succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital.
One fired 9mm cartridge casing was found at the scene, and surveillance footage led detectives to identify Ashe as the alleged shooter. Police later searched Ashe’s residence and said they recovered 24 9mm rounds from his bedroom.
Finally, Javon Rivers, 42, was set for trial on Nov. 2.
Rivers is charged with first-degree murder and two gun offenses in the murder of Donte Bazemore, 31. On Dec. 18, 2024, police were dispatched to the corner of E. Chase Street and N. Luzerne Street after reports of gunfire. Bazemore was found on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest, and died later at a hospital.
Detectives later identified Rivers as the alleged shooter through surveillance footage. Evidence recovered from the scene included two 9mm shell casings and one projectile, according to charging documents.
Rivers was arrested over a year after the incident, on Jan. 20 this year. Authorities had previously released footage of the shooting and sought information regarding his whereabouts.
