A criminal case in Baltimore City Circuit Court was dismissed after the prosecution acknowledged they could not proceed to trial without the victim present to testify.
Manuell Sewell, 33, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony violent crime and four more gun violations in connection to a March 17, 2025, shooting that occurred on the 4700 block of Alhambra Avenue and left a 33-year-old man injured.
The hearing began with a plea offer from the state that included a sentence of life, suspending all but 40 years, for the attempted first-degree murder charge. The terms also included five years of supervised probation and a stay-away order from the victim but the offer was rejected.
Defense attorney Matthew Connell requested a jury trial, which the court granted. While Connell said he was prepared to go forward, the prosecution objected, requesting that the victim, who had not been cleared for transport, be permitted to testify remotely by Zoom for medical reasons. The prosecution had received confirmation the day before trial, they told Judge Williams.
The defense objected to remote testimony.
The prosecutor told the court that the victim had been shot multiple times in the limbs, developed an infection on several occasions and had undergone over 20 surgeries since the shooting in March. The prosecutor noted the constitutional imperative for a speedy trial.
Judge Williams criticized the timing of the prosecution’s request, noting that the State’s Attorney’s Office had known for months that the victim’s ability to appear was uncertain and that the issue had previously been raised before other judges. Judge Williams said he would not allow the court to be “made a mockery of” or take on the obligations of the State’s Attorney’s Office.
The prosecution ultimately requested a postponement to arrange remote testimony, leading Judge Williams to complain the prosecution had failed to exercise due diligence.
The case was briefly sent to Judge Melissa M. Phinn for a ruling on the postponement request. Judge Phinn returned the case to Judge Williams for a speedy ruling regarding the proposed Zoom testimony. Judge Williams denied the request again, citing the lack of preparation for remote testimony and the late timing of the motion.
With no witness available to testify, the State entered a nolle prosequi, or do not prosecute motion, dismissing the case. However, it could be refiled at a later date.
