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By
Sophia Strocko
- July 23, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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The trial of a 49-year-old Baltimore woman accused of fatally shooting another woman on the street was postponed on July 23 due to a recent change in defense counsel.
Teresa Collins is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, and firearm possession in a felony violent crime for the death of Jasmine Simuel, 33, near the 2700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue on Sept. 22, 2024.
According to the prosecution Collins, wearing a bright blue wig, allegedly pulled a gun from her purse and fired at least one round at a retreating Simuel following an altercation, leaving her fatally wounded.
The case was transferred from Collins’ former attorney, Gabrielle Fortuanto, after she left the Office of the Public Defender. Collins’ new public defender, Arthur Baker, entered his first appearance on the record on June 18.
Counsel reported to the scheduled July 23 trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams, where Baker immediately requested a postponement. There was no objection from the prosecution.
In reception court, Baker explained to Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland that he needed time to sufficiently review discovery evidence and discuss trial strategy with Collins after the recent transfer. Collins’ trial is set for Nov. 17 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones and is expected to last four days.
Both Collins’ original and rescheduled trial dates fall beyond her May 2025 deadline for speedy trial. Collins had previously waived her speedy trial right on Feb. 14, during a hearing in which she also rejected a plea offer of 25 years, the first five without the possibility of parole.