The murder trial of Rakim Muhammad has been postponed, with a new date not yet scheduled.
Judge Judge Emory A. Plitt, Jr. of the Harford County Circuit Court on June 10 granted the defense counsel’s request to postpone the trial.
Muhammad faces 11 charges in relation to the July 17 shooting death of Derrick Maxey, Jr. The incident was the first homicide committed in Bel Air in four years.
Muhammad’s trial date was originally set for June 27. His attorney, Baltimore County public defender Mark Van Bavel, insisted that his client is not currently considering any plea agreement.
“We’re preparing to go to trial,” insists Van Bavel. “The strategy is [for Muhammad] to plead ‘not guilty.’”
Van Bavel would not comment on whether the prosecution had offered a plea deal to his client. The defense also made “obligatory motions” earlier this month that would allow the suppression of any evidence that was unlawfully obtained by the prosecution.
“We will pursue the suppression of any evidence that is suppressible,” says Van Bavel. He declined to give any further explanation for filing the motions.
The assistant state’s attorneys for the case, Lisa H. Marts and Joel C. Muneses, could not be reached for comment.
Rahim,
If the allegations against you are true, please save the taxpayers the headache of having to fund your trial; save the PD’s Office precious resources for a case thats worth defending; and most of all, accept responsibility for your actions.