Defense Seeks Not Criminally Responsible Plea after Defendant Deemed Competent to Stand Trial in 2021 Child Abuse Case

By Neoline James [former] - March 29, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Suspects | Victims |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge E. Rasin signed a not criminally responsible (NCR) plea upon the request of defense counsel after their client was found competent to stand trial for the murder of 15-year-old Hezekiah Pettiford. 

On March 29, Judge Rasin reported that Circuit Court Medical had found the defendant Dion Ball competent to stand trial. 

Defense attorney David Williams appeared before Judge Rasin to review the medical report and request the NCR plea on behalf of 45-year-old Ball.

Judge Rasin signed the plea and told Ball that he would need to see another doctor to determine his eligibility.

According to Judge Rasin, an NCR plea requires 60 days to be returned and subsequently scheduled a reviewing hearing for May 31. 

According to Maryland Judiciary case search, Ball and his co-defendant Stefanie Colon were 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 an incident on Jan. 26, 2021.

During her trial, Colon and her defense attorney William Buie III blamed Social Services and Ball for the child’s death. 

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Colon was found guilty in March of child abuse resulting in injury, second-degree child abuse, and two counts of neglecting a minor. A verdict was not rendered for child abuse resulting in death, and a motion for judgment of acquittal was granted for first-degree murder.