Murder Defendant Withdraws Guilty Plea

Machai “Mack” Horton, 26, of Baltimore, pleaded in guilty in December to first-degree murder but withdrew his plea Thursday.

OVERLEA — A murder suspect who entered a guilty plea last year in the death of an Edgewood man withdrew that plea Thursday, saying he misunderstood the sentence he had agreed to serve.

Machai “Mack” Horton, 26, of Baltimore, pleaded in guilty in December to first-degree murder and a firearms offense in the shooting death of 30-year-old Marshall Alexander. Prosecutors say Alexander was shot inside a moving Jeep Renegade in the Overlea area on October. 27, 2024. Police believe the shooting was drug-related.

Alexander was found wounded in the middle of Belair Road near Madeline Avenue and later died at a local hospital.

Judge Wendy Epstein was expected to impose a life sentence with all but 25 years suspended at Horton's sentencing hearing in Baltimore County Circuit Court Thursday. However, Horton told the judge through his attorney he hadn't fully understood the plea agreement when he accepted it.

Horton's attorney, Justin Hollimon, told Judge Epstein that Horton believed he had agreed to a flat 25-year prison sentence. Instead, the deal was for a life sentence with all but 25 years suspended. Under such a partially suspended sentence, Horton could be re-incarcerated after his release and face a life term if he commits another crime or seriously violates the conditions of his release or probation

Assistant State's Attorney Zarena Sita said Horton answered two dozen questions at his pleas hearing to ensure he understood what he was agreeing to.

"I believe we are in a position now where the defendant is, for whatever reason, having buyer's remorse," Sita said.

Judge Epstein agreed that Horton had been thoroughly advised of the details of his plea, but she noted that he immediately started writing letters to the court after the hearing asking to withdraw from the agreement.

"I do find that the interest of justice would be best served by allowing him to withdraw his plea at this time," Epstein said.

The withrdrawal voids all previous plea agreements offered to Horton. The case as it stands will now be set for trial.

Read here for previous reporting on this story: https://the-baltimore-county-courtroom-observer.ghost.io/man-pleads-guilty-to-shooting-victim-inside-moving-jeep/