Defense Contests Competency Finding for T-Mobile Murder Defendant

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On Dec. 4, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn continued the reception court hearing of an 18-year-old murder defendant over doubts of his competency.

Arthur McCaden is charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, first-degree assault, armed robbery, firearm possession as a minor, illegal possession of a regulated firearm and having a handgun on his person in connection to the April 30, 2022, death of Fabian Alberto Sanchez Gonzalez.

The prosecution had no plea offer to present to McCaden and his attorney, Maura Lynch. Both Lynch and the prosecutor wanted to continue to the scheduling hearing to allow more time for the defense to find a psychologist to further investigate if McCaden is competent to stand trial.

The prosecution’s doctors found him competent, but Lynch plans to contest that finding.

Lynch told the court that McCaden “had no understanding” of his case and that he was currently on suicide watch at the Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center.

Judge Phinn continued this hearing to Jan. 30, 2024.

According to a Baltimore Police Department press release, McCaden and another suspect allegedly robbed the T-Mobile store on the 2500 block of Boston Street. After shooting 23-year-old Gonzalez, an employee of the store, they robbed other patrons inside the store.

The prosecutor mentioned that McCaden’s codefendant, Montrae Galloway, is now facing a transfer hearing from the Youth Detention Facility.

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