One Defendant Among Many in Gang Indictment Rejects 20-Year Plea

By Racquel Bazos - November 13, 2023
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On Nov. 13, a 39-year-old defendant charged in the “39 Babies” gang indictment rejected a plea offer before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

James Brunson is charged with participation in a criminal organization, organizing, supervising and financing a criminal organization, conspiracy to organize, supervise and finance a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit an unlawful act, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, possessing a rifle or shotgun with a felony conviction, possessing controlled dangerous substances that were not marijuana and conspiracy to distribute narcotics.

The assistant attorney general presented an aggregate plea offer of 20 years, the first five years without the possibility of parole, for participation in a criminal organization, conspiracy to organize, supervise and finance a criminal organization, first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime and firearm possession with a felony conviction.

Brunson rejected the offer. 

Stand-in defense attorney Todd Oppenheim and the assistant attorney general were not able to agree on a trial date.

Judge Phinn continued the hearing to Dec. 15 for scheduling. 

According to Baltimore Witness, the Baltimore City Police Department’s Group Violence Unit and the Attorney General’s Office’s Organized Crime Unit began an investigation into the ‘39 Babies’ criminal organization as a result of violence that occurred in November 2021.