A 15-year-old boy charged with paralyzing his victim from the waist down appeared in reception court on Oct. 20 to receive a trial date from Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland.
Makai Seymore is charged in a 14-count indictment with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a regulated firearm and ammunition, being a minor in possession of a firearm, having a handgun on his person and in a vehicle, discharging a firearm in Baltimore City, conspiracy to commit murder first-degree, and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault as well as two counts of firearm use in the commission of a felony or violent crime.
According to court documents, on March 7 around 10:30 p.m., Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a shooting on the 1000 block of Abbott Court. When they arrived, they found a 14-year-old boy suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was hospitalized and paralyzed from the waist down from his injuries.
In their investigation, detectives found a stolen white 2013 Nissan Altima that was identified as the vehicle used in the shooting. Surveillance footage of the theft assisted police in identifying Seymore as one of the alleged suspects.
Subsequently, police searched Seymore’s residence on the 2700 block of Carver Road and reportedly found clothing matching what the suspect was wearing in the surveillance footage. In addition, police say they found a .45-caliber handgun matching the ammunition used in the shooting. Three spent .45-caliber casings were found at the scene.
Two unidentified suspects were also part of the shooting conspiracy, police reported.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the prosecutor offered the juvenile a plea deal of 60 years, suspending all but 30 years, for attempted first-degree murder and 20 years, suspending all but 10 years, the first five years without the possibility of parole firearm use in the commission of a felony or violent crime.
The consecutive sentences would add up to 80 years, suspending all but 40 years, the first five years without the possibility of parole.
The offer will remain open until two weeks before the trial, which has been delayed because of an unsuccessful motion to try the case in juvenile court.
Given the heavy schedule for the parties, the trial will take place beyond the mandatory Hick’s date of Nov. 25, although Judge Copeland wanted to bring the case sooner. On behalf of his client, defense attorney George Harris waived the speedy trial deadline.
Judge Copeland set the trial for Feb.1, 2027.
