Probation for Former Morgan State Student Charged in Stabbing

BALTIMORE – Former Morgan State University student charged with attempted murder for stabbing another student in a campus fight accepted a guilty plea to a lesser charge and received probation before judgment.

Carlos Mars, 20, of District Heights, was facing up to life in prison for his alleged role in the fight, which police said at the time left another student critically injured. He was free on $500,000 bail.

His attorney, Rebecca Cosca, maintained from the time he was arrested that police and prosecutors had over-charged the case.

“I think there was a big jump to conclusion,” Cosca said. “They rounded up everybody, but the only person that got charged was Carlos.”

Mars pleaded guilty Monday to one count of second-degree assault, and received probation before judgment, court records show. If he successfully completes his probation, he will not have a criminal record.

Cosca said the sentence was appropriate for the seriousness of the case “but doesn’t ruin his chance at a career or to earn a college degree.”

She said Mars was expelled from school after his arrest, but has re-enrolled at a local community college. His mother tapped into her retirement savings to pay his bail.

“He would’ve been sitting in jail this entire time,” Cosca said.

Source: The Baltimore Sun Article, September 3rd, 2015 (published)