Fourth Mental Observation Hearing Scheduled for Shooting Defendant

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin scheduled a fourth mental observation hearing for Marcel Johnson, 22, who attempted to flee a shooting crime scene on a BMX bicycle.

Johnson is charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and related firearm charges in connection to the Oct. 4, 2024 shooting of an unnamed victim following an altercation near the 1700 block of Presstman Street. He rejected a plea offer of 15 years of confinement on Feb. 21. 

Defense attorney Sharon Bogins, who was standing in for Brandon Thornton, informed Judge Rasin that case managers expressed concerns regarding Johnson’s mental health and abilities to understand proceedings and stand trial.

“A woman who said she was his mother was present at court – he said that was not his mother,” Bogins told the court while describing Johnson’s confused mental state.

Johnson will reappear before Judge Rasin on April 2.