Baltimore Officer Robert Parks Trial Set for August in Pedestrian Strike Case

A viral video captured it all: a Baltimore police officer in a marked patrol cruiser allegedly chasing a man down before striking him. Now, nearly six months after that October 2025 incident, Officer Robert A. Parks is headed to trial.

Parks' trial is set to begin Aug. 18, according to the City State's Attorney's Office. He has pleaded not guilty to four charges: attempted murder, assault, reckless driving and misconduct in office. State Attorney Ivan Bates said last year that Parks could face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

The charges stem from a video that captured Parks allegedly pursuing a person with his marked police vehicle before hitting them. The footage circulated widely online and drew swift condemnation from BPD leadership.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley did not mince words after the video surfaced. "What is seen in this video is not only disturbing, but alarming," Worley said. "This is not how we expect our officers to behave, and this incident does not reflect the values or standards of the Baltimore Police Department."

Parks' attorney has not responded to requests for comment. The case arrives as Baltimore's police department continues to operate under intense public scrutiny over use-of-force incidents, with the August trial expected to draw significant attention from residents and oversight advocates alike.