Plea Negotiations Still Underway in Frederick Avenue Attempted Murder Case

By Andrew Michaels - August 24, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

Plea negotiations continue in a case of a Baltimore man facing attempted murder charges, despite his rejection of a plea offer on Aug. 24 at Baltimore City Circuit Court.

According to WBAL-TV, Raekwon Williams, 20, and another man, Qwantay Smith, allegedly shot two 21-year-old men who were sitting in their car on the 4100 block of Frederick Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2020. Both victims survived, and Williams was arrested three days after the shooting.

Williams is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, firearm use in a violent crime in addition to reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a firearm, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun in his possession in a public area, and illegal possession of ammo.

On Tuesday, the prosecution offered Williams a plea of life, suspending all but 25 years, for attempted first-degree murder. He was also offered another plea of five years without parole for a firearms charge in a separate case, which would run concurrently.

Defense attorney Marci Johnson, who represents Williams in both cases, rejected the offers. Johnson also told Judge Melissa M. Phinn that there is outstanding discovery, including a video of the shooting and police body camera footage; therefore, plea negotiations were ongoing.

Judge Phinn found cause to delay Williams’ case passed his October Hick’s date—his right to be tried within 180 days of his first court appearance. His trial is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 18, 2022.

Smith’s case was not discussed on Tuesday, but according to the Maryland Judiciary website, he is scheduled for a jury trial on Jan. 10, 2022.

The latest plea offer differs from the plea Williams was presented on June 3 for life, suspending all but 25 years, the first five years without parole, and three years supervised probation for attempted first-degree murder; life, suspending all but 25 years, the first five years without parole, and three years supervised probation for firearm use in a violent crime; and five years for first-degree assault. According to that plea deal, the sentences would have run concurrently.