Plea Deal Possible for Murder Defendant as Court Awaits Counsel’s Updates

By Breanna Pompey - January 26, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Jan. 25, Terrance Peterson appeared in Baltimore City Circuit Court for scheduling in a homicide case with Judge Melissa K. Copeland presiding

Peterson, 33, is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction and having a handgun in his vehicle while on a public road. 

For the last two and a half years, Peterson was not competent to stand trial and is currently housed at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital, a psychiatric care facility.  

There was no plea offer mentioned, but the prosecution was confident that the case would resolve in a plea. Both the prosecution and defense found trial dates in June should a plea deal not work out. Defense attorney Deborah Levi anticipates a seven-day trial.

Judge Copeland decided to continue the case to April 26, but expects updates from counsel before then as to the posture of the case. If counsel decides to move forward with a plea deal, with the condition of the victim’s family and interpreters being present, they’ll be provided a courtroom to take the plea in. However, if the case goes to trial Copeland will schedule one in June.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on Dec. 22, 2019, Baltimore Police Department detectives responded to a homicide on the 100 block of North Kenwood Avenue at Kim’s Deli and Grocery, finding Carmen Rodriguez, 35, dead from a gunshot wound.

Surveillance footage revealed a suspect in a black Honda, leading to the identification of Peterson as a person of interest. Peterson turned himself in on Jan. 9, 2020, denying involvement, but wanting to “clear his name.”