Judge Denies Bail For Gang Member Accused of Attempted Murder Over Territory

Nearly three months after he was indicted for his alleged involvement in a criminal organization, defendant Ernest Hudson was denied bail on June 27 in connection to an attempted murder last spring.

The 37-year-old defendant is charged with participating in a criminal organization in addition to homicide, attempted murder, drug, and weapons charges stemming back to Nov. 1, 2021. During Tuesday’s bail hearing, Hudson appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Schiffer for an attempted murder case that occurred on May 7, 2022.

According to the prosecution, Hudson was the main target of a wire tap investigation. WBAL-TV previously reported that the investigation occurred over 16 months and resulted with charges against 33 people, including Hudson. The incident in question on Tuesday involved a shootout near West Baltimore and North Bentalou streets, where Hudson and another gang member, James Brunson, allegedly had a dispute with others over the organization’s territory.

The prosecution told Judge Schiffer that Hudson had “bragged on several occasions that he is constantly getting into shootouts.”

Gregory Fischer, Hudson’s defense attorney, argued that video surveillance footage shows Hudson and Brunson allegedly firing handguns, but does not show any victims. No victims were named in the indictment, he added.

The defense attorney requested his client be released on private home detention with GPS monitoring.

Prior to Judge Schiffer’s ruling, pre-trial services recommended no bail given the defendant’s two drug convictions from 2005 as well as a manslaughter conviction from 2008.

Baltimore Witness June 27, 2023