Former Public Enemy Attempts to Fire Defense Counsel

By Waverly Reginato [former] - September 16, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Victims |

A Baltimore man allegedly involved in the fatal stabbing of a 73-year-old man attempted to fire his defense attorney during reception court on Sept. 15. 

Christopher Straham, 24, is charged with first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure, armed robbery, and attempted armed robbery in connection to an incident on Dec. 2, 2016. 

According to WBAL TV, the victim was buying food at a nearby Popeye’s fast food restaurant at Highland Avenue and Pulaski Highway in East Baltimore, where he was allegedly attacked and stabbed by Straham and robbed of money he had on hand.

Straham was the Baltimore Police Department’s Public Enemy No. 1 for nearly a week before being arrested and taken into custody.  

Straham’s request to fire his defense attorney, Natasha Dartigue, was denied by Baltimore City Circuit Judge Melissa K. Copeland, and the case was sent to Judge Melissa M. Phinn who ordered a mental health evaluation that is scheduled for Nov. 16.