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By
Hannah Rainer [former]
- September 29, 2023
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Homicides
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On Sept. 29, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn assisted lawyers on both sides move forward with the retrial of a defendant in a murder case from June 2019.
Christopher Rather, 27, was found guilty of the use of a deadly weapon with intent to injure and the second-degree charge in connection to the murder of his ex-girlfriend, 20-year-old Jasmine Pierce-Morris on June 12, 2018.
According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, a Baltimore Police Department officer was dispatched to the 2400 block of Westfield Avenue, at the Reginald F. Lewis Football Field, where he found Pierce-Morris’ body in the bleachers.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, with her hands bound and multiple injuries. Rather was identified as a suspect based on a photo found on the victim. He was later charged and found guilty for the murder in June 2019.
The Appellate Court of Maryland reversed the original decision and remanded the case in December 2020 after finding issues with the evidence and jury instructions given at trial.
Rather was originally scheduled on Sept. 29 to begin the retrial in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy. However, the prosecution requested a postponement on the grounds of witness availability and contacting the Department of Justice about documents requested by the defense.
Defense attorneys Christopher O’Meara and Paul Batchelor didn’t object, and they were then sent to reception court with Judge Phinn to reschedule.
Based on earlier defense requests, Judge Phinn stated the postponement was not on the shoulders of the prosecution, but rather the defense.
Since O’Meara and Batchelor filed motions so late, Judge Phinn said that delayed the trial. She also mentioned that since their requests for documents concerned the prosecution’s witness, it was a so-called Daubert motion to challenge the credibility of a witness, not one to compel discovery.
The motions hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2024, and is expected to last three days before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda A. Tanner. A trial date still has yet to be set, with the parties expected back in front of Judge Phinn for scheduling on Oct. 30.