Murder Defendants Ordered to Receive Competency Evaluations

By Carly Schiller [former] - July 15, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A judge orders doctors to determine if a defendant, who allegedly stabbed his mother, is competent to stand trial. 

Baltimore resident Mumwaldi Kearney is charged with first-degree murder and using a deadly weapon with the intent to injure from an incident on April 12.

According to CBS Baltimore, Kearney, 48, stabbed his 68-year-old mother, Shari Smith, inside of their home on the 4400 block of Manorview Road. 

On Wednesday, Judge Rasin recommended that Kearney see a psychiatrist to determine if he is competent to stand trial. 

Defense attorney Euphus Belu-John said that, on July 1, he received an email from Kearney’s doctor stating that he is psychotic, has delusional thinking, rapid speech, and is refusing his medication. 

Judge Rasin asked Kearney if he knows what his charges are, and he did not have a coherent answer. 

Kearney kept interrupting throughout the hearing with disordered thoughts. He interjected that he believes he attacked a robot, and there was no way it was a human being. 

There is an order for an initial competency evaluation, and Kearney will return to mental health court next week on July 21. 

Judge Rasin also heard the case of homicide defendant Genesis Collins Jr., who pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Jan. 16, 2013. 

According to the Baltimore Sun, Collins, 50, set himself on fire outside of his home on the 3800 block of Cottage Avenue on May 5, 2011. He was believed to have owed money to drug dealers, which triggered his outburst. 

Collins then held onto his 68-year-old mother, Audrey Collins, giving her severe burns. An unknown person had to stab Collins multiple times to get him to let go. His mother died four months later from complications. 

In mental health court on Wednesday, Judge Rasin said that Collins has been on the right track for awhile and is doing everything he is supposed to do, such as meeting with his treatment team and taking his medications. Since being released, he has also managed to hold a job. 

Collins next hearing in mental health court is scheduled for Sept. 1. 

While Collins has been in mental health court for years, Baltimore resident Jamar Cannon just had his case transferred to mental health court Wednesday. 

Cannon, 34, accepted a plea deal on July 8 for three years, suspending all but time served, with two years supervised probation for having a loaded handgun on his person. He must also register as a gun offender and continue with mental health treatment. 

Cannon was charged with second-degree assault, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on his person, reckless endangerment, discharging a firearm, and discharging a firearm within school property from an incident on Oct. 25, 2019. 

During the plea hearing last Thursday, Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer recommended that Cannon’s case be evaluated by mental health court due to his recent diagnosis with schizophrenia. 

Defense attorney Roland Harris will meet with Collins on Aug. 10 to discuss further acceptance into mental health court, and his sentencing will occur on Aug. 18. 

Judge Rasin also heard the case of Ellicott City resident Thurston Mayo.

Mayo, 35, pleaded guilty on May 19 to first-degree assault after shooting at a neighbor who was setting off fireworks in the 6600 block of Eberle Drive on the Fourth of July, 2020. 

The defendant accepted a plea deal for six years suspending all but time served and three years probation for first-degree assault.

In mental health court, Mayo reported to be doing well, and having just gone to a family wedding out of state, which he was granted permission for last month. 

Since Mayo is compliant with his treatments, he does not need to appear in mental health court again until Aug. 18.