Executive Summary
- Sentencing for Alexis Cancel-Soto was postponed on December 3 due to a failure to transport the defendant to court.
- Cancel-Soto was convicted in September of first-degree murder and other charges related to the death of Cameran Holt.
- The fatal incident occurred in Federal Hill involving a dispute and an exchange of over 40 gunshots.
- Judge Nicole K. Barmore rescheduled the sentencing hearing for February 23, 2026.
The sentencing hearing for Alexis Cancel-Soto, convicted in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Cameran Holt, was postponed on Tuesday at the Baltimore City Circuit Court. According to court proceedings on December 3, the delay was necessitated after the defendant, 21-year-old Cancel-Soto, was not transported to the courthouse for the scheduled appearance.
Cancel-Soto was convicted in mid-September of first-degree murder regarding Holt’s death. The jury also found him guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder through transferred intent, attempted first-degree murder, and multiple firearm violations, totaling eight convictions out of an initial ten charges. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the incident arose from a dispute in Federal Hill, where surveillance footage allegedly captured Cancel-Soto’s group donning masks and brandishing firearms, including a Draco pistol, before opening fire.
The victim, Cameran Holt, was fatally struck while inside her vehicle near the intersection of Biddle Street and a 7-Eleven. During the proceedings, it was noted that Cancel-Soto admitted to firing five rounds during the exchange, which involved over 40 shots in total, though he claimed uncertainty regarding who initiated the gunfire. Two co-defendants, Daeshaun Clark, 28, and Devontaye Richardson, 30, were also charged in connection with the shooting; Richardson was subsequently acquitted of all counts except reckless endangerment.
Due to the logistical failure to transport the defendant, Cancel-Soto appeared via Zoom for the brief hearing. Judge Nicole K. Barmore, in agreement with the attorneys involved, rescheduled the sentencing hearing for February 23, 2026.
Procedural Implications
The postponement of sentencing due to custodial transport issues highlights ongoing logistical challenges within the judicial system, which can significantly delay case resolution and legal closure for victims’ families. In this instance, the rescheduling extends the timeline for final judgment by more than a year. While Cancel-Soto has been convicted, it is important to note that for all individuals facing pending charges or co-defendants in related cases, the presumption of innocence remains until proven guilty in a court of law.
