Suspect in Police Chase Denied Release

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Alleged murderer Devante Stewart was denied release during a bail review on Sept. 22 at the Baltimore City Circuit Court.

Stewart, 27, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use, carjacking, theft, burglary, and assault.

According to the prosecution, on June 16, the Baltimore Police Department investigated a shooting after hearing gunfire on the 1000 block of Granby Street. Officers found Lee Johnson, 43, suffering from gunshot wounds.

The victim died at the scene.

Officers saw two suspects leaving the scene, leading to a chase, where Stewart allegedly hijacked a car and then ran into an apartment on the 400 block of Aisquith Street, the prosecutor said. Stewart was then arrested.

The second suspect was not discussed during Wednesday’s hearing.

Defense attorney Isabel Lipman said that although a handgun was found at the scene of the crime, no forensic or ballistic evidence linked Stewart to the gun.

The prosecution said forensics are still in the process of obtaining the defendant’s blood to see if there is a match to the blood found on the handgun. The prosecutor also said the defendant had a bail review in June for an unrelated charge, which the judge had denied.

Adhering to the previous judge’s decision, Judge Cynthia H. Jones denied the motion of bail.

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