Defense Challenges Client’s ‘Criminal Responsibility’ in a Murder Case

By Amna Syed [former] - October 4, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct. 4, defense attorney Tara LeCompte ordered an independent competency exam for her client George Kuhn before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin. 

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Kuhn is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime and firearm possession with a felony conviction in relation to an incident on June 12, 2022.

LeCompte told Judge Rasin that her client understands the concept of mental competency, but she wants an independent evaluation to determine Kuhn’s mental state.

She plans to hire a behavioral expert to evaluate whether Kuhn is competent to stand trial and whether he believes he is criminally responsible for his actions.

Judge Rasin previously found Kuhn criminally responsible, but the court may provide extra time for an evaluation that challenges the finding.

Documents from the District Court of Maryland state that on June 12, 2022, Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a shooting on the 6400 block of Erdman Avenue. On the call with 911, the caller identified himself as the defendant and stated that he shot his fiance, 36-year-old Kristy Helmert, in the face and that she was dead.

Court documents also state that prior to the incident, Helmert was driving her car with Kuhn in the passenger’s seat when Kuhn shot the victim in the head. When investigated by officers, the defendant still had his shoes and white tank top on which allegedly contained the victim’s blood.