Prosecution Not Ready for Trial in Three Defendant Weapons Case

By Ashleigh Joplin [former] - January 20, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

The prosecutor assigned to a three defendant weapons case was not prepared for the trial on Jan. 20 citing complications due to “several moving parts” related to the case.

Defendants Stacy Ellis, Bryce Gray, and William Hall all face numerous weapon charges in connection to an incident which occurred on June 30, 2022. The prosecutor said she initially intended for the co-defendants to be tried together, but it was unlikely to happen. 

No counsel was entered on the behalf of Hall, who was also not present at the hearing. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Copeland issued a bench warrant for the defendant. 

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Hall is scheduled to appear again in reception court on Feb. 13. 

Gray, 53, was in the hospital and had to be retrieved for the reception court hearing. Gray was offered a plea of five years for illegal possession of a regulated firearm. Gray rejected the plea. 

Gray’s next trial date is set for Feb. 2. 

The prosecution offered Ellis a plea of five years, suspending all but three years with three years supervised probation. The defendant was also required to register as a gun offender.  

Ellis rejected the plea; however, he did attempt to accept an adjusted offer of five years, suspending all but one year with three years supervised probation. 

Judge Copeland said that she would not “bind [herself] to that offer” saying it was “not appropriate” at this point. She was comfortable binding herself to a plea for three years. 

The 43-year-old defendant rejected Judge Copeland’s alternative offer. 

Judge Copeland continued Ellis’ hearing until Feb. 1 to be heard again in reception court to further discuss plea offers.

According to the Maryland Judiciary site, Hall is charged with knowingly possessing a regulated stolen firearm, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, discharging firearms, car theft, theft of property valuing between $1500 and $25,000 and the unauthorized removal of property.

Ellis, who is represented by Benjamin Charlton, is charged with two counts of illegally possessing a regulated firearm, knowingly possessing a regulated stolen firearm, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, discharging firearms, illegal possession of ammo, car theft, theft of property valuing between $1500 and $25,000 and the unauthorized removal of property.

Gray, who is represented by Cynthia Christiani, is charged with two counts of illegally possessing a regulated firearm, knowingly possessing a regulated stolen firearm, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, discharging firearms, and illegal possession of ammo.