Plea Rejected by Carjacking, Attempted Murder Suspect

By Hannah Rainer [former] - October 6, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Suspects |

On Oct. 6, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn scheduled a trial date for a defendant accused of attempted first-degree murder.

Karon Alston, 28, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, armed carjacking, conspiracy to commit armed carjacking, carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, two counts of robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault.

In addition, he is charged with theft valued between $1,500 and $25,000, conspiracy to commit theft valued between $1,500 and $25,000, car theft, conspiracy to commit unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, taking the property of a victim, conspiracy to take property, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to commit firearm use in felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of firearms in a controlled dangerous substance offense and illegal possession of ammunition in connection to a Feb. 2 incident. 

Defense attorney Isabel Lipman appeared in reception court to represent Alston.

The prosecution offered a plea of 45 years in total, with the first five years without the possibility of parole, if Alston pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder, armed carjacking and firearm use in a felony violent crime. For attempted first-degree murder, Alston would receive 30 years, as well as 30 years for armed carjacking to be served concurrently.

For the charge of firearm use in a felony violent crime, Alston was offered 15 years without the possibility of parole with the first five years without the possibility of parole, which would run consecutively with the first two sentences. 

Alston rejected the plea. 
His trial was set for Jan. 19, 2024, with Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones expected to preside.