Missing victim delays attempted murder trial

By Andrew Michaels
– October 1, 2024
Attempted Murder | court | Daily Stories | Non-lethal shooting | Shoot | Suspicious |

The trial of attempted murder defendant Darius Stepney was postponed on October 1 to give prosecutors time to locate the victim.

The trial of Stepney, 31, was scheduled to begin Monday before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer on attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and numerous weapons charges related to an incident on May 8, 2023. The case was then sent to Judge Melissa K. Copeland, where it was scheduled to return for a status update on October 25.

According to prosecutors, the victim, who is homeless, was recently hospitalized. The prosecutor said she has not been able to find him but expects he will be found since he has previously worked with the deputy district attorney in this case.

Robert Cole, Stepney's defense lawyer, rejected the prosecution's request for a delay, pointing out that the defendant had been in prison for 51 weeks. Cole also pointed out that the prosecutor was ill at Stepney's last trial date in June; However, the prosecutor clarified that the postponement in June was a joint request because the defense attorney needed time to review the investigation before the trial.

Judge Copeland decided to postpone her decision on a stay until the prosecution provides an update on the victim's current whereabouts later this month.