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Trial set for Towson teen accused of killing mother
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Towson teen accused of beating his mother to death with a baseball bat waived his right to a speedy trial at his first appearance in Baltimore County court Wednesday.
Lewin Powell, a 16-year-old McDonogh School honors student, appeared in court wearing sweat pants and a gray “Bad Boys” T-shirt, quietly responding to questions from Circuit Judge Kathleen Cox with “yes, ma’am,” and “no, ma’am.”
Powell waived his right to a trial within 180 days of his initial appearance in court at the request of prosecutors, who said DNA evidence won’t be available until January.
Cox said Powell was entitled to a trial in December, but urged the parties to avoid proceedings around the holidays.
Meanwhile, Powell’s attorneys are fighting to have the case transferred to juvenile court and his confession erased from court records.
Attorney Shanell Harleston said Powell was not advised of his right to an attorney before he waived a bail review hearing and confessed to the May 13 slaying.
“I get calls every day from his friends’ parents and staff at McDonogh and people in the neighborhood to offer their assistance,” said Harleston in a separate interview.
“It’s just amazing how many people love him to death.”
Cox set the trial for Jan. 20 and agreed to hear Harleston and attorney Denise Brown’s arguments on transferring the case, suppressing the confession and holding another bail review Sept. 5.
Police said Powell killed his 39-year-old mother, Baltimore County employee Donna Campbell-Powell, after they argued about his grades, then covered her body with a blanket in the garage.
The next morning, Powell’s father, who arrived home from work that night and fell asleep on the couch, awoke after his son allegedly struck him with the bat.
Co-workers notified police after Campbell-Powell did not show up for work, and police arrived to find Powell’s father in the backyard.
jmalarkey@baltimoreexaminer.com
