A Baltimore police officer seen in a viral video apparently chasing and striking a man with his patrol car is now headed for a criminal trial that could reshape how the city talks about police use of vehicles in the street. Officer Robert A. Parks is scheduled to stand trial on Aug. 18, on charges that include attempted second‑degree murder, first‑ and second‑degree assault, misconduct in office, and reckless driving. The October encounter in Park Heights led to an indictment last November and sparked intense public scrutiny.
Court sets August trial
A recent hearing in Baltimore Circuit Court locked in the August trial date and kept Parks on home detention while the case moves forward, according to The Baltimore Banner. The outlet reports that the trial is slated to begin Aug. 18, 2026, and could last up to five days. Parks is represented by attorney Chaz Ball as the case heads toward a jury.
Charges and prosecutors' account
The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City announced that a grand jury indicted Parks on attempted second‑degree murder, first‑ and second‑degree assault, reckless driving, and misconduct in office, according to a press release from the State's Attorney's Office. Prosecutors say the Oct. 28, 2025, encounter began outside Wylie Liquors at 3101 Wylie Avenue, where Parks' cruiser allegedly struck a man, then pursued him through an alley and crashed through a chain‑link fence into the backyard at 3129 Sumter Avenue.
According to the press release, investigators are relying on bystander video along with additional surveillance and body‑worn camera footage. If Parks were convicted on all counts, the combined maximum sentence could reach up to 65 years.
Officer status and prior coverage
Parks was removed from patrol, reassigned to administrative duty, and later suspended without pay after the video began circulating, according to earlier reporting when the footage first surfaced. Local oversight groups have pressed for transparency and an independent review while prosecutors pursue the criminal case. The incident has reignited debate in Baltimore over when and how officers may use patrol vehicles during volatile encounters.
Community reaction and oversight
State's Attorney Ivan Bates labeled the actions seen in the footage "entirely unacceptable" and said the charges match what would be brought against a civilian accused of driving in that way, according to the State's Attorney's Office. Neighborhood leaders and the Police Accountability Board say they plan to track each step of the case as it moves toward trial. The viral video drew sharp condemnation from city officials and fueled louder calls for clearer rules around high‑risk vehicle operations.
Legal outlook
Prosecutors have bystander video and other recordings, but the attempted‑murder counts will require proof that Parks intended to kill, a legal threshold that can be difficult to meet in cases built on short clips and competing narratives. Defense attorneys in similar cases often argue that split‑second decisions and limited camera angles make it hard for jurors to find intent beyond a reasonable doubt. Experts say that how prosecutors stitch together timing, speed, and the officer's statements on body‑worn camera is likely to be central at trial.
What’s next
Pretrial motions and discovery are expected to unfold in the coming months as both sides exchange evidence and line up witnesses ahead of the August start date. Jury selection is set to begin when the trial opens on Aug. 18, 2026, unless the case is resolved beforehand. We will continue to follow the filings and hearings and report on new developments as they emerge.
