Court Denies Drug Treatment for Defendant in 1993 Homicide

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Kumar Rick Nesbeth stood before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette M. Bryant on Aug. 7 making a drug and mental health treatment request.

Nesbeth, 53, was convicted in 1993 of two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder, and is serving two life sentences. 

Representing himself, Nesbeth requested that he be admitted to a drug treatment program.

In support of his motion, he submitted a substance abuse assessment, institutional report, performance evaluation, and correctional course certificates as evidence to the court. 

In its statement, the prosecution asserted that to gain admission to a drug treatment program, Nesbeth needed to present stronger evidence, such as witness testimony and medical records, demonstrating a history of pathological drug use. 

The prosecution claimed Nesbeth should be held to a strict burden of proof due to the seriousness of the underlying crimes. 

Judge Bryant denied the request, emphasizing the lack of documentation since 2023 verifying that Nesbeth has made a serious effort to recover.