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By
Alyssia Davis [former]
- April 13, 2022
Attempted Murder
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Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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On April 6, an attorney for one of the members of a gang called the “39 babies” motioned for a separate trial from the other members before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland.
Pierre Briggs, 20, is facing more than 70 counts of murder, attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and firearms charges.
On Wednesday, Judge Copeland listened as counsel set a date for the defendant’s trial along with a few other members of a gang he is associated with. In addition, Judge Copeland informed the court that she knows about a previous motion for gang-affiliated defendants connected to the incident to have separate trials.
Some of the defendants wanted to have separate trials rather than being tried together. However, that request was declined by Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer. Instead, the court decided to try the defendants in groups. One of the groups will contain three of the defendants, however Baltimore Witness could not confirm what defendants will be heard in what group.
The several members involved in the gang who have their trials scheduled are:
- Gregory Beadles
- Karon Tyree Johnson
- Donyae Thompson
- Ramell Wilson
- Damone Cornish
- Raequan Fields
- J’quan Lajuan Powell
Three out of the seven members are charged with a homicide while the other four are charged with attempted murder.
Briggs was represented by defense attorney Robert Ness.
According to WBALTV, Briggs is among 11 men who were indicted by the Maryland Attorney General in August 2021. The gang is accused of three murders and eight attempted murders as well as drug possession and distribution, and illegally possessing, selling and trading firearms.
Wilson’s trial is scheduled for Dec. 12.
Cornish, Fields, and Powell’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 3.
Beadles, Johnson, Thompson, and Briggs’ trial is scheduled for Nov. 7 and is expected to last for about three weeks.