Fifty-six-year-old Michael Thornton will face a jury trial for his alleged involvement in shooting the son of his domestic partner. Thornton appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland in reception court on Sept. 4.
He faces charges of attempted first-and-second degree murder, first-second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, a sex offense for an illegal contact, illegal possession of ammunition and discharging a gun in Baltimore City.
According to a police report officers responded to a shooting on May 27 on the 2000 block of Bentalou Street and found a male victim suffering from wounds to his chest and right forearm. While on the scene, a woman shouted to the officers to “stop him,” pointing to a suspect fleeing to the rear of the residence.
The woman told police that she and Thornton were living together as a couple and became involved in an argument when Thornton allegedly pushed her to the ground. At that point she apprised her son who was on the second floor of the residence of the alleged assault. When he tried to intervene, Thornton allegedly shot him two or three times requiring immediate hospital treatment.
Officers say they found a blood trail in the residence. An additional investigation revealed that Thornton is prohibited from owning a firearm due to a series of violent offenses dating back to 1987
During the proceedings, Thornton was informed of his Hicks rule speedy trial deadline date of Jan. 18, 2027. The prosecutor didn’t present a plea offer to Thornton or his attorney Avrohom Greenfield.
After some discussion, Judge Copeland set a trial date of Dec. 2 before Judge Addison Howard.
