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Kayla Blietz
- June 21, 2024
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A 23-year-old manslaughter defendant rejected a plea offer in reception court and asked for new counsel before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on June 21.
Dayia Lynn, 23, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, two counts of failure to immediately stop vehicle at scene of accident involving death, driving a vehicle on a highway at a speed exceeding limit in connection to an incident on June. 20, 2002.
The prosecutor offered a deal to Lynn, including three years incarceration for criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, for manslaughter, consecutive 10 years suspended, with three years of probation. Defense attorney Amanda Savage stood in for defense attorney Gabrielle Fortunato.
Savage rejected the plea offer on Lynn’s behalf.
During the hearing, Savage did advise Lynn not to speak up in court because of potential self-incrimination. Despite Savage’s advice, Lynn said that she wants a new public defender because of inadequate response from Fortunato.
Judge Copeland advised Lynn if she dismissed Fortunato she would need to hire private counsel or represent herself instead of counsel from the Public Defenders Service.
As a result, Lynn decided to keep Fortunato as her attorney. Judge Copeland said Lynn could still have a hearing to dismiss Fortunato if any other issues arise.
The two day trial is scheduled to start Aug. 20 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard.
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