Judge Continues Hearing to Understand Delay in Defendant’s Transfer to Psych Unit

By Racquel Bazos - January 5, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On Jan. 3, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin and the attorney for a 22-year-old attempted murder defendant were at a loss as they discussed why he has not received the mental health support he needs. 

Jesse Freels is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, firearm possession with a felony conviction, having a handgun on his person, having a gun within 100 yards of the public, illegal possession of ammunition and firing a gun within Baltimore City in connection to a Jan. 24, 2023, incident.

Defense attorney Karyn Meriwether told the court that although her client had been found competent to stand trial in 2023, an officer from the mental health unit where Freels is currently being held said he had been hallucinating and throwing punches at correctional officers. 

Previously, Meriwether said, Freels had been committed in late 2023 due to a suicide attempt and a hunger strike.

Now housed at Central Booking, Freels is apparently psychotic, suicidal and throwing feces at correctional officers. He will not speak to his attorney. 

Judge Rasin said that despite Freels’ behavior, Circuit Court Medical evaluators could not determine if his behavior was due to mental illness.

She signed an extended commitment order in October 2023 to allow for further evaluation. That evaluation was never completed because there was nowhere for Freels to stay, according to the evaluators. Freels remains at Central Booking and not in a psychiatric facility. 

Judge Rasin continued the hearing to resume on Jan. 10, when an official is expected to appear in court to explain the delay in Freels’ transfer to psychiatric care.  

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to the 200 block of North Eutaw Street for a call reporting a shooting. Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) surveillance footage showed a suspect shooting several rounds at the victim before fleeing and getting on a westbound bus. Weeks later, an MTA officer saw someone wearing clothing identical to the suspect’s and arrested Freels, who was carrying a 9mm handgun later linked to the January shooting.