Reluctant Judge gives Home Detention to Man Who Shot Himself

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Following an hour of back-and-forth arguing, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy reluctantly agreed to the prosecution’s plea offer for James Richardson, 54.

Richardson is charged with possession of a firearm with a drug conviction, having a handgun on his person, illegal possession of ammunition, and firing a handgun within Baltimore City for allegedly shooting himself.

According to charging documents, on Dec. 28, 2024, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers received a call that a man was shot in the 2800 block of Oakford Avenue by a Black male in a black ski mask. Officers responded at approximately 7 p.m..

After being transported to Sinai Hospital for treatment, the caller, Richardson, allegedly admitted to detectives he fabricated the story. He explained he purchased the firearm from a friend and placed it in his pocket, and accidentally discharged it into his leg when a car drove by and spooked him.

The prosecution offered Richardson five years, suspending all but time served, with three years probation. The first year of probation would be served by home detention.

Though both the prosecution and defense attorney Gabrielle Michel were agreed, Judge Handy initially declared she was “not binding herself to a plea deal.”

“I don’t do home detentions,” she told counsel.

Both parties argued for Richardson, maintaining he has remained clean from cocaine and heroin since 2003, and has worked full-time to serve Baltimore City for 20 years. Richardson is also currently seeking substance abuse treatment for alcohol.

“This is not a triable case,” the prosecution said.

Both parties agreed Richardson would gain nothing by going to trial.

Michel told the court that Richardson, who previously had a firearm drawn on him, had the gun on his person for self-defense. Richardson did not pose a threat to society, she said.

Judge Handy said parties were focusing too narrowly on Richardson’s substance abuse issues, rather than the firearms charge central to the case.

Eventually, Judge Handy relented and agreed to take the plea deal.

Richardson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with a drug conviction, and accepted the prosecution’s offer. Per the terms of the deal, Richardson will also be required to register with the Maryland Gun Offender Registry.