On Nov. 2, a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge ruled that a defendant will remain on conditional release after his charge from a 2014 incident was upgraded from attempted murder to first-degree murder after the victim recently died from their injuries.
According to defense attorney Linda Zeit, defendant John Watson was on conditional release for two years when the victim, Daniel Smith, passed away in August 2022. Watson was found not criminally responsible for first-degree attempted murder on March 16, 2016.
The Department of Health sent an order to Judge Gale E. Rasin to continue his conditional release. In addition, the prosecution reported that Watson was doing exceptionally well, adheres to all conditions, and would not be a danger to himself or others.
Judge Rasin approved the order for the defendant to remain on conditional release.
