Plea Rejected in Attempted Murder Case

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A 28-year-old Baltimore man rejected a plea on Aug. 30 at Baltimore City City Court after nearly a month of negotiations.

During reception court on Monday, the prosecution reiterated the plea offered to Bernard Jackson III earlier this month: 40 years, suspending all but 20, five years without parole, and five years on probation to run concurrently for attempted first-degree murder and firearm use in a violent crime. In addition, the prosecution would dismiss another case against Jackson involving insurance fraud.

The charges are in connection to an incident on Nov. 7, 2018. He is also charged with second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, and discharging firearms.

On Aug. 4, defense attorney Gil Amaral said he needed more time to talk to Jackson about the plea and negotiate with the prosecution; however, on Monday, Amaral rejected the offer.

Judge Melissa M. Phinn scheduled the trial for Dec. 6. Jackson waived his Hick’s date, which is his right to be tried within 180 days of his first court appearance.