Police Recover Gun Used in Strip Club Shooting, Postponing Defendant’s Trial

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Aldrich Hunter appeared in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria on Sept. 20 in order to begin his trial, but in light of new evidence, the hearing was postponed. It was moved to reception court before Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Hunter is charged with possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, three counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a gun within 100 yards of the public, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a handgun on his person, transmission of a firearm without a serial number, possession of a firearm without a serial number, illegal possession of ammunition, firing of a gun in Baltimore City and reckless endangerment in connection to a March incident.

As previously reported by Baltimore Witness, Hunter has been unsatisfied with his attorney, Chris Purpura. Since Hunter’s last hearing, Purpura has filed two motions to withdraw from the case, but has not heard back regarding the ruling. The first motion was denied.

Hunter, 59, has been contacting other attorneys, but no one will be assigned until Purpura’s motion is granted.

The police’s recent recovery of the gun used in the crime also added another gun charge to Hunter’s case. The prosecutor expressed her intent on filing an indictment to join the gun-related counts.

Because of this new evidence and Purpura’s undecided motion, counsel requested a postponement. Judge Phinn said she is hopeful that the motion to withdraw would be granted by Hunter’s next court date.

Judge Phinn also stated that she will contact the Baltimore City Office of the Public Defender as soon as possible, so that Hunter may receive new counsel.

Judge Phinn continued the hearing to Oct. 26 for scheduling Hunter’s trial.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a call of a firearm being discharged in a strip club on the 400 block of E. Baltimore Street on March 5. The club’s owner told officers that an altercation occurred between the club’s security guard and a group of other men. With the use of surveillance footage, detectives determined that the security guard was Hunter.