Trial Date Set for 22-Year-Old Homicide Defendant Accused of Killing His Brother

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On June 7, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn scheduled a five-day jury trial for a Baltimore native facing homicide charges in connection with his brother’s death.

Singleton Duppins, 22, was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony violent crime, second-degree assault, and possession of a firearm as a minor in connection with an incident on Feb. 28, 2020.

According to charging documents, police officers were called to the 2500 block of Gibbons Avenue for reports of shots being fired. Upon arrival, the police officers found 26-year-old Graham Blake suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Blake was transported to John Hopkins Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

According to members of the Duppins family, a week before the incident Blakes’s firearm went missing and he believed that the defendant stole it. On Feb. 28, family members heard a noise that sounded like a gunshot. They went to the basement, where they found Blake on the floor and Duppins trying to leave. Duppins mother attempted to stop Duppins so he dragged her upstairs to the first floor. Duppins father attempted to intervene and Duppins knocked him onto the ground. At which point, Duppins dragged his mother back downstairs to the basement and then fled. Duppins mother was able to track his cell phone and police officers apprehended him.

In April 2022, the defendant represented by Roland Brown, rejected a plea of life, suspending all but 30 years with five years of probation for first-degree murder.

Judge Phinn scheduled Duppins’ trial for Oct 23. with Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy presiding.

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