Antonio Nance, a 43-year-old man charged with attempted murder, has dismissed his public defender, Augustine Okeke, during a hearing in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Nance expressed dissatisfaction with Okeke's performance, claiming that he has only met with him a couple of times since his incarceration.
During the court session on June 17, Nance criticized Okeke for being overly negative and failing to provide constructive guidance regarding his case. He emphasized that he felt unsupported in his legal defense.
Nance faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and three gun-related offenses, stemming from a shooting incident that occurred on August 12, 2025, near an MTA bus on the 2700 block of W. Franklin Street. The incident reportedly escalated from a verbal altercation aboard the bus, during which Nance allegedly pushed another passenger off the vehicle and later pursued the victim, firing several shots.
In response to Nance's dismissal of his counsel, Okeke noted that he believed the defendant's frustrations were likely rooted in the serious nature of the charges against him. However, Judge Melissa K. Copeland stated that she found Nance's reasons for dismissing Okeke to be without merit, cautioning him that he might have to represent himself in court.
Judge Copeland made it clear that the trial would proceed as scheduled, and Nance would not have the right to appoint a different attorney of his choosing. Following this ruling, Okeke was officially removed from the case.
Nance's trial is currently set to take place on July 14.
Reported by HarborBeat based on Baltimore Witness (source).
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