Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.
By
Ziqi Zhou
- March 31, 2025
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
A 19-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and firearm use in a felony or violent crime before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Nicole K. Barmore on March 31.
Montaze Bailey faces 25 years, suspending all but 12, and five years of supervised probation. The first five years of his sentence will have no possibility of parole.
On Sept. 26, 2024, Bailey, said to be 15 years old at the time of the attack, and two individuals allegedly followed a 66-year-old man to his home in the 200 block of S. Madeira Street, chasing and punching him until he lost consciousness. Bailey then robbed the victim.
During his victim impact statement, the victim detailed the physical and emotional trauma he endured as a result of the assault.
The prosecution noted that Bailey has previous juvenile records from 2022 and 2023, and the September 2024 incident marks his first adult conviction.
Bailey’s attorney, Natalie Finegar, said Bailey left school in ninth grade because his mother was ill. Bailey’s mother passed away in 2021 following struggles with cancer.
Bailey apologized for his actions and promised not to repeat his crimes.
Judge Barmore accepted the recommended sentence, saying, “This case is never easy.”