Shooter of 39-Year-Old Man Takes Summer Trial Over Plea Offer

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A Baltimore man accused of fatally shooting 39-year-old Dennis Edmonds last year was given a summer trial date after rejecting a plea offer from the prosecution.

Gregory Markeith Barnes, 49, is currently charged with first-degree murder and three weapons charges in connection to Edmonds’ death on the 4300 block of West Bay Avenue on June 16, 2024. Baltimore Police previously reported that Barnes was arrested on Aug. 22, 2024.

During reception court on Jan. 10, the prosecutor offered Barnes a plea of life, suspending all but 60 years, and five years of supervised probation for first-degree murder and a concurrent 20 years, the first five years without parole, for firearm use in a felony or violent crime. His defense attorney, Karyn Meriwether, rejected the offer on her client’s behalf.

Counsel agreed on a six-day trial beginning July 15. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland said a judge will be determined at a later date.