Prosecution Presents Plea Deal Options in Robbery, Murder Case

By Breanna Pompey - January 30, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland set a May 16 trial date for homicide defendant Arthur McCaden on Jan. 30. 

McCaden, 18, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, first-degree assault, armed robbery, firearm possession as a minor, illegal possession of a regulated firearm and having a handgun on his person.

During the proceeding, the prosecution offered a two-option plea deal for the first-degree murder charge.

The defendant can either opt for a life sentence, suspending all but 50 years, along with five years of probation, or choose a life sentence, suspending between 40 to 60 years, also with five years of probation.

Additionally, for the armed robbery and firearm use in a felony violent crime, the prosecutor proposed a concurrent 20-year sentence, with no possibility of parole for the firearm use charge during the first five years.

McCaden was further offered a concurrent 15-year sentence for the attempted robbery charge.

The prosecutor gave McCaden a March 1 deadline to accept the offer. 

McCaden was represented Janine Meckler standing in for Maura Lynch but no decision was made on the plea deal.

Judge Copeland scheduled a five-day trial beginning May 16 before Judge Robert K. Taylor. 

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on April 30, 2023, McCaden and his juvenile co-defendant, allegedly robbed the patrons of a T-Mobile store on the 2500 block of Boston Street before fatally shooting employee 23-year-old Fabian Alberto Sanchez Gonzalez.