A jury delivered a guilty verdict on one attempted murder count on Nov. 20 in the case of LaForrest Morgan, 48. He was charged in connection to a 2024 robbery-turned-shooting inside a Penn North restaurant. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey M. Geller presided over the case.
Jurors found Morgan not guilty of attempted first-degree murder, but guilty of attempted second-degree murder. They did not render a verdict on the accompanying first-degree assault charge.
The jury also found Morgan guilty of armed robbery, robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime, possessing a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, and four more gun violations.
One count of firearm possession with a felony conviction was not sent to the jury.
Morgan’s charges stem from a June 28, 2024 incident at No. 1 Chinese Carryout on the 2400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, where police say he attempted to rob a 27-year-old man before shooting him twice during a struggle. The victim later testified reluctantly, telling the court he had initially resisted appearing until subpoenaed.
Surveillance footage from nearby CitiWatch cameras assisted investigators in identifying Morgan, who was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions.
A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
