Ruskin Avenue Murder Trial Postponed for Remaining Defendant

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On April 8, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland postponed the murder trial of 20-year-old Daquan Hawks.

Hawks is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, attempted first-degree murder, having a loaded handgun in his vehicle, having a loaded handgun on his person and possessing a firearm as a minor.

Defense attorney Staci Pipkin explained the two reasons why she and the assistant state’s attorney were filing a joint postponement request before Judge Ronald A. Silkworth. First, she needed to know before trial if previous co-defendant Leonard Joyner, who was acquitted of all charges on March 5, will be testifying.

His attorney, Latoya A. Francis-Williams, was present, arguing to quash a subpoena for her client to testify. Second, Pipkin said that she needed more time to read the lengthy testimony from Joyner’s five-day trial in order to prepare for her cross examinations.

Hawks is accused of killing 28-year-old Donte Lee on Jan. 24, 2022. According to previous coverage, Lee and another man were parked in a blue Honda on the 2200 block of Ruskin Avenue. When the two victims got out of the Honda, Hawks and his now-acquitted co-defendant allegedly opened fire. Surveillance footage recovered by Baltimore Police Department detectives indicated that Hawks sustained a gunshot wound to the back from Lee.

Hawks’ new trial is scheduled for Aug. 13 in front of Judge Lynn Stewart Mays and is expected to last for four days.