Baltimore Man Accused of Murder to Undergo Additional Competency Exam

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On Nov. 9, a defendant had to be asked to quiet down by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin during his mental health court appearance. 

Defendant Christopher Straham could be heard shouting loudly in the background of his zoom hearing and had to be scolded by the judge.

Straham, 25, has been incarcerated at Clifton T. Perkins Mental Hospital for the last four years and a report from the facility says that the defendant has been refusing his medication. 

A doctor at the facility ordered a competency exam for Straham.

Straham, 24, is charged with first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure, armed robbery, and attempted armed robbery in connection to the fatal stabbing and robbery of 73-year-old Andra Horvath in a Popeyes in 2016. 

Straham was initially found incompetent to stand trial on June 7, 2017. This decision was reversed Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin on June 19, 2019.

Judge Rasin ordered they reconvene on Nov. 30 to review the results of the exam.

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