A 2018 homicide case was delayed again on April 24 after defense counsel requested a postponement to resolve outstanding mental health concerns regarding the defendant, 29-year-old Bryant Whitaker.
Whitaker is charged with first- and second-degree murder, firearm use and illegal firearm possession in connection to the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Markell Wall on the evening of July 21, 2018.
Surveillance footage showed Wall exiting a Ford F-150 to speak with Whitaker, who was 22 years old at the time. During the interaction, Whitaker was allegedly seen producing a gun and firing at Wall multiple times, even as Wall attempted to drive away.
Wall was pronounced dead after being taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
On April 24, defense attorney Matthew Connell requested a psychiatric evaluation for Whitaker after he delivered an outburst during a March court appearance. This isn’t the first time Whitaker’s competency has caused a delay in trial proceedings; his case has faced over 20 postponements or cancellations since his booking.
The state initially requested an eight-week postponement for the pre-trial conference, which was denied by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland.
Copeland offered new pre-trial scheduling dates for May 29 or during the first week of June. Whitaker accepted a June 5 date.
