Defendant Accused of Murdering 15-Year-Old Nephew Has Trial Postponed Due to Questionable Competency

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn granted the prosecutor’s request to postpone a homicide defendant’s trial due to counsel thinking the defendant was not competent to stand trial on March 20.

Dion Ball is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, two counts of second-degree child abuse, first and second-degree assault and neglect of a minor in connection to the death of 15-year-old Hezekiah Petiford on Jan. 26, 2017 alongside his co-defendant Stefanie Colon.

Colon’s trial was scheduled to start on March 20.

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers were called to the 800 block of McAleer Court for a report of a child not breathing. On arrival, officers saw medics rendering aid to Petiford who was unconscious and not breathing.

Petiford was taken to John Hopkins pediatric hospital with bruises to his head and face and scars on his neck and face.

The 45-year-old defendant was represented by defense counsel David Williams.

Ball’s mental health hearing was scheduled for March 29 with Judge Gale E. Rasin presiding.

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