Defense Counsel Seeks Mental Health Eval After Judge Deems Homicide Defendant Competent to Stand Trial

By Gabriella Salas [former] - February 9, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Defense counsel for a Baltimore man accused of homicide sought a private mental health evaluation for his client on Feb. 9 after the court’s evaluation found the defendant competent to stand trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin. 

Singleton Duppins, 21, was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime, two counts of assault in the second degree, and possession of a firearm as a minor in connection to an incident on Feb. 28, 2020.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Judge Rasin declared Duppins competent to stand trial following the court’s review of his mental health evaluation. 

Duppins’ defense attorney, Landon White, requested that his client remain in the hospital until a private evaluation could be conducted; however, Judge Rasin denied the request. White also noted that he plans to move forward with a private evaluation.

According to the Baltimore Sun, on Feb. 28, 2020, at approximately 10:54 p.m. Singleton allegedly murdered Graham Blake, who was found with a gunshot wound to the back of the head on the 2500 block of Gibbons Avenue.  

Initially, in November 2021, Duppins was offered a plea of life suspending all but 50 years, with five years supervised probation for first-degree murder, and 20 years, the first five without parole, for use of a firearm during a violent crime. The sentences were slated to be served consecutively.

Duppins’ next hearing is scheduled for April 5.