Shooting Defendant Claims He Was Charged for Another Man’s Crime

By Sage Cho - February 27, 2025
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor sentenced 56-year-old attempted murder defendant Walter Holmes to three months for contempt of court on Feb. 27 after Holmes passionately claimed he was charged in place of another man with the same name.

Holmes, who is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and related firearm charges in connection to a May 17, 2023 shooting incident, passionately alleged that his defense attorney, Augustine Okeke, refused to listen to him. 

“This has nothing to do with me, this isn’t me!” he yelled at Judge Taylor, punctuating the final three words with slams to the table. “My name is not Walter Holmes, I don’t live on Reisterstown Road!”

Judge Taylor’s admonitions that Holmes remain seated and quiet were ignored.. The outburst halted the hearing.

Holmes’ sister, who was present at the hearing, attempted in vain to rein her brother in. 

“Homie, listen to me, listen to them,” she yelled. Holmes, who was quivering with emotion, did not turn around to face her. Bailiffs struggled a bit getting Holmes back into his restraints, and Holmes was heard loudly objecting as they transported him back to detention. 

“Okay, Mr. Holmes,” said Judge Taylor. “You are in direct contempt of my court and the sentence is three months.”

Judge Taylor left the courtroom as the outbursts continued and he only returned when Holmes was removed. He informed bailiffs and counsel that he would be willing to reconvene later the same day if they could placate Holmes and instruct him to remain silent until addressed.

Following the hearing, Holmes’ sister told Baltimore Witness that her brother resides in the Eastern District of Baltimore, not on Reisterstown Road. She attributed Holmes’ outbursts to communication problems with Okeke and his belief that the charges against him are the result of mistaken identity.