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By
Hannah Sawickey [former]
- June 23, 2022
Court
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Daily Stories
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Juveniles
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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Rasheed Morris pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on June 22 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Mays.
Morris, 17, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit armed carjacking, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of a firearm as a minor.
During court proceedings, the defendant voluntarily pleaded guilty to first-degree murder due to substantial evidence piled up against him.
Morris was represented by defense attorney Staci Pipkin.
On Wednesday morning, the victim’s family was given the opportunity to address Judge Mays. The victim’s cousins urged Judge Mays to consider assigning Morris the maximum sentence, sharing the impact that this crime has had on them, their children, and their community.
The victim’s cousin also spoke of her experience since the murder occurred on her front lawn, saying “I shake and shiver, looking in every direction when I walk to my car in the dark.”
Morris was given the opportunity to address Judge Mays himself, but asked his defense attorney, Staci Pipkin, to speak on his behalf. “He feels sorrow and regret,” Pipkin said. “He knows what he has done and he is taking responsibility.”
One of Gordon’s cousins said that after hearing gunshots, he went outside, and saw Morris and his co-defendants fleeing the scene.
According to Fox45 Baltimore, , on May 3, 2021, Morris, along with co-defendants Omarion Anderson, and William Clinton, and a fourth unidentified accomplice, attempted to rob the victim, Efraim Gordon, while he was walking from his car to his cousin’s house on the 3700 block of Fords Lane.
When Gordon refused to hand his keys over to his assailants, he was shot by Morris.
Gordon’s cousins performed CPR until an ambulance arrived, but Gordon died shortly after arriving at the hospital of a single gunshot wound to his chest.
Morris’ co-defendant Omarion Anderson also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last month. William Clinton is set to appear in court on Nov. 14 for a hearing.
Morris’ next hearing is scheduled on Jan 13, 2023, for his sentencing.