Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.
By
Mackenzie Wright [former]
, Brooke Uzzell [former] - February 11, 2022
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
Homicides
|
Traffic
|
A 52-year-old Baltimore resident charged with first-degree murder after hitting a pedestrian with a car following a carjacking had his bail review hearing postponed on Feb. 11 pending the release of his medical records.
Robert Douglas, who has 27 prior convictions, has been on home release since March 2021 and recently suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak or walk without assistance, according to his defense attorney, Koryn High.
Douglas is alleged to have committed a carjacking on March 2, 2021, striking two pedestrians as he drove away from the scene.
One pedestrian died from their injuries a week later.
In addition to first-degree murder, he is also charged with carjacking, car theft, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.
During the bail hearing on Friday, the defense presented hospital discharge documents advocating for Douglas’ continued release so that he can be moved into an assisted living facility. His daughter is currently his primary caregiver as he recovers from the stroke he had in December 2021.
High told Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Charles J. Peters that she feared Douglas would be unable to communicate with corrections staff in the event of a medical emergency if he is reincarcerated since he is still suffering from stroke-related aphasia.
High also said that she would file a motion for compassionate release if that happened since her client’s condition is deteriorating.
Judge Peters told counsel that he would consider home detention if they could produce medical records supporting Douglas’ diminished capacity. Defense counsel has only been able to provide discharge papers from the hospital, which Judge Peters said was not sufficient.
The defense plans to file a motion with Judge Peters once the medical records have been obtained.
Douglas is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 22 for a pre-trial conference.