The prosecution dismissed all charges against murder defendant JaJuan Smith, 34, after the prosecution couldn’t find key witnesses for the May 12 scheduled trial. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland presided over the hearing.
Smith was initially charged with second-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, and firearm possession with a prior disqualifying felony conviction in connection to the fatal shooting of Corey Robinson, 41. The incident occurred May 27, 2024, in the 2700 block of W. Fairmount Avenue, after Robinson allegedly confronted Smith in his neighborhood for attempting to steal out of his car.
Responding officers located Robinson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his neck, torso and leg. Medics transported him to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was pronounced deceased approximately 40 minutes later.
On Aug. 15, Smith turned himself in at BPD headquarters. Warrant apprehension detectives arrested Smith without incident and transported him to the Central Booking & Intake Facility, where he was charged with first-degree murder.
The dismissal came after Armstrong rejected a plea offer of 40 years, suspending all but 25, with five years of supervised probation before Judge Lawrence R, Daniels. However, the prosecution’s inability to locate key eyewitnesses resulted in a nolle prosequi decision to dismiss the case.
