Defendant in 2015 Laurens Street Murder Case to Undergo Mental Health Evaluation

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On Feb. 15, a homicide defendant was admitted into the hospital for a competency review after multiple evaluation extensions before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale Rasin.

The 32-year-old defendant, Anthony Burris, was represented by stand-in defense attorney Sharon Bogins on behalf of Michael Lawlor during the hearing.

According to Fox News Baltimore, Burris was arrested in connection to the murder of 31-year-old Earl Burton. Burton was found shot in the head on the 1100 block of Laurens Street on Oct. 31, 2015.

In October 2017, a jury found Burris guilty, and he was sentenced to 30 years for second-degree murder and a consecutive 20 years, suspending all but five years for use of a firearm in a felony violent crime with four years of supervised probation for the murder of Burton.

In February 2020, Burris’ case was remanded for a retrial after a successful appeal in the Court of Special Appeals.

Wednesday’s mental health court hearing was called to determine if the court could proceed with Burris’ retrial.