Against Defense Counsel’s Wishes, Judge Sets Murder Defendant’s Trial Date

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A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge accepted a murder defendant’s competent status on June 28 and set his trial in motion.

Judge Gale E. Rasin received a report from Clifton T. Perkins Hospital on June 20. This report declared Gordon Zacharie Staron competent to stand trial.

His counsel, Jason Silverstein, told Judge Rasin he did not have the opportunity to look over the report. He requested postponement to July 12. However, the prosecutor assigned to the case stated that there was nothing that would be necessary to bring up on July 12, since Silverstein had already said he would contest the non-criminally responsible aspect of the report.

Judge Rasin agreed with this and denied the proposed postponement. Instead she set the trial in motion. Staron is set to appear in reception court for scheduling on Aug. 1, according to the Maryland Judiciary website.

Staron, 34, is charged with first-degree murder and possessing a deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection to the Sept 6, 2022, fatally stabbing of Keith Bell, 63, on the 1400 block of E. Monument Street.