Darius Williams appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on June 20 for a reception hearing related to his pending homicide case.
The proceeding focused on pre-trial scheduling and preparation, with the court proposing a five-day jury trial to begin on Sept. 29 before Judge Barry G. Williams. A pre-trial conference is also expected, pending discovery and the coordination of expert witnesses.
Williams, 37, is charged with first- and second-degree murder, and use of a deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection to the June 25, 2020, fatal stabbing of Eric Jones, 49, also known as “Cookieman.” The incident occurred near the 2300 block of Westwood Avenue in Baltimore.
Witnesses reported that Jones was chased from the 1800 block of Ruxton Avenue to the 2200 block of Westwood Avenue, where Williams allegedly caught up to him and stabbed him more than 20 times in the chest. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts support the allegation, with one witness identifying Williams as the suspect. Jones’ girlfriend was also present at the scene.
Although Williams was sentenced on Aug. 9, 2023, to 40 years for second-degree murder and an additional three years for the weapon charge, the current proceedings aim to account for the full scope of charges and ensure all expert testimony and evidence are ready for trial.
Williams has no known history of violent crime, with his most recent prior offense being a drug charge dating back to 2008. The defense cited the need for additional expert witnesses and ongoing discovery as reasons to schedule further court hearings before trial.
