Judge Praises Mental Health Court Defendants’ Progress

By Andrew Michaels - November 3, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Two defendants in separate cases received praise from Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin on Nov. 3 for their continued compliance in mental health court.

Thurston Mayo, who was convicted of first-degree assault in May for a non-fatal shooting on July 4, 2020, told Judge Rasin that he is doing well despite some adjustments to his medication.

“I’m looking forward to moving forward with my life and staying out of trouble,” Mayo said on Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to the holidays.”

The 35-year-old has had several status hearings in mental health court since he accepted a plea in May for firing a shotgun in the direction of his neighbor, who was setting off fireworks in a courtyard on the 6600 block of Eberle Drive.

Judge Rasin said Mayo’s next status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Melvin Russell, 34, also returned to mental health court on Wednesday. Russell accepted a plea of time served for voluntary manslaughter in December 2016 and served approximately one year and four months with five years of supervised probation.

He then pleaded guilty to violating probation in September 2020 and was assigned to mental health court as part of the plea.

Russell is the son of a former Baltimore Police Commissioner and has a documented history of schizophrenia. He was charged in connection to the fatal stabbing of his 49-year-old roommate, Theophilus Ruffin, on Aug. 31, 2015.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Russell said he is doing well and waiting to get back to work.

Judge Rasin commended Russell’s progress. Although she noted his trouble of tracking his appointments, a clinical coordinator assisted Russell to ensure his attendance in the future.

The defendant’s next status hearing was not listed on the Maryland Judiciary website.