Following a one-day delay in proceedings due to a juror shortage, trial resumed on Nov. 18 for a 48-year-old man accused of robbing and shooting a man at a Chinese carryout restaurant in West Baltimore’s Penn North neighborhood last June.
LaForrest Morgan is charged with attempted murder, assault, armed robbery and related gun violations in connection to the robbery-turned-shooting incident, which occurred June 28, 2024 at No. 1 Chinese Carryout on the 2400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Shortly before the incident occurred, area surveillance cameras captured Morgan and the victim walking down a street in West Baltimore before the pair stopped and entered the restaurant. The case’s prosecuting attorney noted the victim had been selling marijuana in the area, and conducted his business out of a blue-and-orange waist bag that contained his products and cash. The restaurant’s interior lacked surveillance cameras, but multiple witnesses in the area reported a “tussle” that led to gunfire.
The prosecution claimed the victim attempted to relinquish his bag during the altercation in a bid to protect himself, telling Morgan to “just take it,” but that Morgan allegeely fired his gun twice into the victim’s back anyway. Shortly after the altercation, surveillance footage captured the victim crawling up the steps of the establishment, seemingly wounded and calling out to a nearby woman for aid.
Others joined the woman in aiding the victim, helping him into a vehicle that ultimately transported him to the University of Maryland’s Midtown Medical Center for treatment. After assessing his injuries, which included fractures to two of his vertebrae, medical staff transferred him to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, “where he underwent multiple surgeries and luckily lived,” the prosecution told jurors.
The woman, as well as the victim, are both expected to testify later in proceedings. The prosecution noted the scene was relatively chaotic, with multiple area witnesses coming to the victim’s aid. In contrast, area cameras captured Morgan exiting the establishment “slowly, calmly, as if nothing was going on,” allegedly holding the victim’s blue-and-orange waist bag.
The woman later advised officers she witnessed Morgan flee left on Pennsylvania Avenue after exiting the restaurant, identifying him by his salt-and-pepper beard and telling officers he was “kind of an old head.” When Morgan appeared before jurors for trial on Nov. 18, he was freshly shaven.
Baltimore police arrested Morgan on July 26, 2024 without incident. At the time of the incident, Morgan was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
Defense attorney Brandon Mead refrained from touching on the facts of the case during his opening statement, instead appealing to jurors’ common sense and a public sentiment of “disenfranchisement” toward the judicial system.
Mead arrived notably late to the hearing, as he had the day prior. Juror shortage was not the only cause of delay on Nov. 17, as Mead both arrived late and prepared what appeared to be ill-fitting clothes for Morgan to wear at trial.
As the wait for new clothes dragged on, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey M. Geller acknowledged the inconveniences caused by the persistent juror shortage issue but remained hopeful that the case could proceed with jury selection later that day. The case was ultimately pushed back one day.
Morgan’s case has faced significant repeated delays. On June 23, Mead took over the case postponement court Judge Melissa K. Copeland deemed the behavior of his original counsel, Angela Shelton, “inexcusable.” Shelton reportedly failed to communicate or meet with Morgan, despite his and his family’s continuous efforts to do so, causing the case to drag well beyond Morgan’s speedy trial deadline of March 4.
The trial is expected to continue Nov. 19 with witness testimony before Judge Geller.
