Baltimore Murder Defendant Withdrew Guilty Plea
A judge has granted a request to discharge the attorney representing Jibril Turner in a 2025 homicide case.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Crime — General
Jibril Turner, a 22-year-old defendant accused of murdering Charlton Morris, filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on September 22, 2026. Judge Charles H. Dorsey III subsequently granted Turner's request to discharge his attorney, Roya Hanna.
Why it matters
The motion complicates the legal proceedings regarding the 2025 shooting death of 31-year-old Charlton Morris on Ashland Avenue. It follows Turner's initial acceptance of a plea deal earlier this year that involved a significant prison sentence.
The original plea agreement included 30 to 50 years for murder and a concurrent 20-year sentence for firearm use. A new sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for November 6.
The players
Jibril Turner
He is the 22-year-old defendant currently facing charges related to the murder of Charlton Morris.
Charles H. Dorsey III
He is a judge in the Baltimore City Circuit Court who oversees the legal proceedings in this homicide case.
Roya Hanna
She served as the attorney for the defendant until the court granted a request to discharge her from the case.
Baltimore Police Department
This local law enforcement agency conducted the investigation into the shooting that occurred on Ashland Avenue.
The details
Turner was originally identified as the suspect by witnesses who reviewed surveillance footage collected by Baltimore Police Department officers following the shooting in the 2300 block of Ashland Avenue. Charlton Morris later died from his injuries after being transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Timeline
Charlton Morris was shot and died on Sept. 10, 2025.
Turner originally accepted a plea deal on May 19, 2026.
Turner moved to withdraw his plea and discharge his attorney on Sept. 22, 2026.
A new sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2026.
Legal Context
This case highlights the procedural instability that can arise when defendants challenge plea agreements in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Such motions often disrupt the judicial timeline and may lead to a full trial if a new agreement cannot be reached.
Residents in the area near the 2300 block of Ashland Avenue may see continued activity in the local court system as this case progresses toward its next milestone. The legal developments serve as a reminder of ongoing efforts by the Baltimore Police Department to process major crimes through the city courts.
The takeaway
Defendants have a legal right to file motions to withdraw pleas, though such actions carry significant risks including the potential for harsher sentences if a trial occurs. Legal experts often note that such moves represent a critical turning point in the trajectory of a criminal case.
What happens next
Jibril Turner is currently scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on November 6, 2026, though the motion to withdraw his plea could impact that timeline.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Baltimore Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Baltimore Witness.
