Armed Robbery Defendant Competent to Stand Trial After New Study

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin ruled an armed robbery defendant was capable of standing trial in a mental health court hearing on June 12.

Rico Blick, 30, was previously ordered to undergo a competency evaluation, which determined he was competent to stand. However his attorney, Jerry Rodriguez, challenged that finding.

In Wednesday’s hearing, Rodriguez said that an independent expert reevaluated Blick and found him fit to stand trial. Because the new evaluation confirmed the first one, Judge Rasin deemed Blick fit to stand trial in that he’s able to understand the charges against him and participate in his own defense.

Blick is charged with attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, attempted theft of less than $100; conspiracy to commit theft of less than $100, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, conspiracy to have a handgun on his person, having a handgun in a vehicle, having a handgun in a vehicle while on a public road, discharging a firearm, having a gun within 100 yards of the public and illegal possession of ammunition related to an incident on Dec. 7, 2021.

A trial date has not been set.