Pre-Trial Motion to Dismiss Charges Denied in 2-Year-Old Homicide Case

By Cynthia Eapen [former] - November 10, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams denied a motion for release on Nov. 10 for a first-degree murder defendant. 

Jimmy Gerold McRavin is charged with first-degree murder, felony use of a firearm in a violent crime, and firearm possession with a felony conviction in connection to an incident on Oct. 12, 2019. 

Defense attorney Julie Shapiro represented McRavin during Wednesday’s hearing. 

The state offered a plea of 40 years for first-degree murder, and Shapiro denied this offer on the defendant’s behalf. 

Prior to discussing the plea offer, the state motioned to compel the release of grand jury testimony; however, Judge Williams decided to not discuss this matter until further notice. 

Shapiro then presented the motion to dismiss the case due to several reasons.

She said that the defendant was incarcerated for two years and that the court agreed to a postponement past his Hicks’s date. According to Maryland law, a defendant has the right to be tried within 180 days of their first appearance or their attorney’s first appearance in court. 

Shapiro also included in her argument that there was prejudice in the case since the state had provided discovery with witness contact information redacted. 

While the court acknowledged that COVID-19 was unexpected and did delay McRavin’s trial, Judge Williams said the pandemic provided good cause for the postponement and denied the defense’s motion to dismiss the case. 

Jury selection started shortly after the motion to dismiss was denied.