Prosecutor Drop Charges Against Defendant Accused in Organized Crime Case

By Lake Marion [former] - August 8, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

A prosecutor assigned to a case against a Baltimore man charged with participating in a criminal organization entered a nolle pros on all charges on Aug. 7 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn. 

Defendant James Brunson, 39, was charged with participating in a criminal organization, illegal trafficking of controlled dangerous substances, conspiracy to distribute narcotics with a drug conviction, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, using a firearm during a felony violent crime, and possessing a firearm with a felony conviction. 

According to a press release from the Maryland Attorney General, on March 28, the attorney general announced the indictments for 33 defendants on multiple charges that included participating in a criminal organization. The Baltimore City Police Department’s Group Violence Unit and the Attorney General’s Office’s Organized Crime Unit began an investigation into the criminal organization as a result of violence that occurred in November 2021.

On May 7, 2022, Brunson and another suspect are accused of committing an attempted murder near W. Baltimore and N. Bentalou Streets. The two were involved in a dispute with other individuals and were captured on video surveillance going to their respective vehicles, retrieving their handguns and proceeding to approach and shoot at the other individuals. No one was injured during the incident. 

As stated in an indictment released by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Brunson is accused of conspiring with others to murder and attempted to murder an unknown individual. 

“Every resident of Maryland deserves a safe community and the ability to live free of violence and the fear of violence,” said the attorney general.