Suspect in 2015 Halloween Murder Receives Trial Date

By Racquel Bazos - November 2, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Nov. 2, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Middleton scheduled a trial date for a murder defendant. 

Anthony Burris is charged with firearm use in a firearm use in a felony violent crime and second-degree murder in connection to the death of 31-year-old Earl Burton on Halloween 2015. 

The prosecution had no offer for 33-year-old Burris. 

His attorney, Michael Lawlor, and the prosecutor agreed to the trial date of March 18, 2024. 

Burris was tried and convicted in 2017, but successfully appealed. On the first day of jury selection, a female juror told the judge that Burris was staring at her and she was uncomfortable. The judge did not disclose her concerns to Burris’ attorney, which the Appellate Court of Maryland ruled was a violation of Burris’ right to have an impartial jury.

According to documents from the Appellate Court of Maryland, a Baltimore Police Department officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of Laurens Street for a reported shooting, where they found Burton lying on the sidewalk. He later died at University of Maryland Shock Trauma. Police identified Burris as a suspect via witness interviews and photo arrays.