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By
Andrew Michaels
- January 9, 2023
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Defense counsel for a 26-year-old woman accused of involuntary manslaughter argued that the victim “shot herself” during his client’s bail hearing on Jan. 6.
Brandon Mead, representing Jasmine Jones, told Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Ausby that although the defendant assaulted the female victim, the two struggled over a handgun that belonged to the victim when she was shot. Jones was initially charged with second-degree assault, which was upgraded to involuntary manslaughter when the victim died from her injuries.
The defense attorney noted that Jones has complied with law enforcement and the court, having turned herself into the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) following the victim’s death.
“At best, this is a second-degree assault,” Mead argued.
The prosecutor previously said that Jones shoved the victim’s head against an ATM and that when the victim pulled out a handgun, the two struggled to the ground when the gun was fired one time.
Judge Ausby concluded that the defendant’s limited criminal history and compliance were behind her decision to release Jones to home detention.
Jones is currently scheduled for trial on April 10, according to the Maryland Judiciary website.