Prosecution’s Inability to Secure Evidence Delays Trial

By Mya Wesley [former] - September 20, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 20, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn postponed trial for defendant Zachariah Allison’s murder case. 

Allison, 18, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use during a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm as a minor, reckless endangerment, third-degree burglary and second-degree assault in connection to the death of Ja’Nyi Weeden.

The prosecution wasn’t ready to present its case because evidence gathered by police wasn’t available.

Defense attorney Andre Mahasa‘s schedule conflicted with the assistant state’s attorney’s schedule, so they were unable to come up with a potential trial date. 

Judge Phinn continued the hearing to Oct. 30. 

According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2021, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to the 3700 block of Galston Drive, where 15-year-old Weeden was suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. 

The victim was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she later died of her injuries. Witnesses told police that a man in a white tank top and black shorts had started shooting. Later in a statement to police, Allison admitted that he was wearing that outfit and had possessed the gun used in the incident before selling it to another man.