Trial Date Pending in 2020 Homicide

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A homicide defendant, who has been in jail for nearly a year and a half, has yet to receive a trial date.

Baltimore resident Darell Roberts is charged with attempted first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure. The charges stem from an incident on Feb. 25, 2020.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn presided over Roberts’ case during reception court on Aug. 12. During the hearing, Roberts, 41, said he previously rejected a plea of life, suspending all but 35 years, with five years of supervised probation, for attempted first-degree murder.

Under the deal, Roberts would be ordered to attend anger management classes and stay away from the surviving victim.

The prosecutor said he was not ready to schedule the case for trial because he believed that Roberts would be seeking new representation. However, Roberts said he no longer wished to replace his defense attorney, Avie Stone, who was not present during the hearing.

Judge Phinn slated the case to return to reception court on Aug. 24, when all parties are expected to be ready to determine a trial date.