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By
Laura Flores
- March 6, 2025
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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin ordered a follow-up mental health observation hearing for Gary Baynor after noticing discrepancies between counsel’s statements regarding Baynor’s mental status on March 6. He’s currently accused of a probation violation.
According to the transcript from a 1999 hearing before the Maryland Court of Appeals, Baynor, who was 19 at the time of the offense, was convicted for the Feb. 1, 1996 murder of Dion Williams and the non-fatal shooting of another man on the 3300 Block of Edgewood Street.
Baynor was found guilty on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and various related firearm charges.
In a widely publicized case Baynor was sentenced to 100 years of incarceration by former Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert I. H. Hammerman.
In another twist to the case, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey M. Geller granted Baynor’s release in 2022 after reconsidering his sentence as excessive.
Defense attorney Joseph P. Kavanagh expressed concern over Baynor’s mental state, citing confusion, circular conversations, and memory issues in relation to the charges and the details of the case. According to Kavanagh, Baynor would often repeat questions he had already asked.
When questioned about legal procedures, Baynor correctly identified aspects of a jury trial but displayed confusion regarding sentencing requirements. Baynor was responsive and cooperative to all questions asked, including those concerning his mental health and current medications.
Stand-in defense attorney Sharon Bogins found that Kavanagh’s statements did not align with Baynor’s behaviors during his hearings.
“I would like to err on the side of caution,” Bogins said. “There is some stuff in the email that isn’t lining up.”
Although Baynor appeared rational and responsive, Judge Rasin ordered a follow-up evaluation within two weeks and ordered Kavanagh to confer with Baynor’s evaluator.