Frustrated and Suicidal Defendant Found Competent for Trial

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Proceedings grew contentious in Baltimore City Circuit Court’s mental health division as attempted murder defendant Armonie Casimir continued to defy Judge Gale E. Rasin’s instructions to refrain from discussing the facts of his case. Following a fraught back-and-forth in which Casimir continued to speak over the court, Judge Rasin found him competent to stand trial and cut the May 14 mental observation hearing short.

Casimir, 23, is charged with multiple counts of attempted first- and second-degree murder and assault, firearm use in a violent crime, and related firearm violations in connection to an Aug. 11, 2024 shooting incident.

The crime unfolded in downtown Baltimore on a Sunday, at approximately 1:03 a.m. According to charging documents, A CitiWatch operator was monitoring a camera at the intersections of Cathedral and Saratoga Streets when he observed Casimir discharge a black firearm twice at an unnamed Black male victim who “did not appear to be a threat.” Investigators later identified the firearm as a Hi-Point C9 9mm pistol with the serial number #P1345200.

Shortly after the shooting, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded and canvassed the area. While investigating, they allegedly observed Casimir crouching between two parked vehicles in a parking lot in the 200 block of N. Liberty Street and arrested him.

Officers searched him and recovered a plastic bag with 26 cigarette papers containing a small amount of suspected synthetic cannabis and multi-colored chalk pills suspected to contain MDMA. Casimir reportedly has a history of synthetic cannabinoid usage.

During the May 14 hearing, Judge Rasin pointed to “discrepancies between what you claimed you could not remember, but other things you had very detailed memories of,which surely can affect your mental status,” and cautioned Casimir against discussing the facts of his case in open court.

As previously reported, Casimir has demonstrated difficulty responding to simple questions and previously claimed he heard voices. Casimir, who has a history of synthetic cannabinoid usage, also attempted to commit suicide twice while incarcerated, prompting Judge Rasin to order further hearings to evaluate his competency.

As the May 14 hearing grew tense, Casimir called his mental health issues “a generational curse” and mentioned “things going on behind [his] back.”

The court has yet to schedule further hearings in this case.