Homicide Defendant Claims His Case Was Cancelled, Judge Disagrees  

By Jeff Levine - December 6, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

Murder suspect Harley Frost, 35, engaged in a spirited debate with Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland about whether his case was still active in a reception court hearing on Dec. 6. 

Frost is charged with first-degree murder and intent to injure with a dangerous weapon in connection to an incident on June 25.  Detectives believe that Frost fatally stabbed  a 59-year-old man on the 1000 block of Brantley Avenue.

As the proceeding began Frost insisted that his case had been “vacated” because a hearing scheduled for Sept. 9 had been cancelled, which also shows as “vacated” on the Maryland Case Search website. 

Frost told the judge that as far as he was concerned the case was “annulled.”

“I don’t have a degree. I didn’t study the bar.  But I know the difference between cancellation and vacating,” he said.  

Judge Copeland disagreed, pointing out that the court can cancel a proceeding for a number of reasons but that doesn’t nullify the case as long as a defendant has an attorney.

The judge said, “The matter is still before the court.” 

As Frost continued to interrupt, the judge said, “I’m going to mute you.”  

Frost is represented by Nichole HIgh and his defense has asked for a mental competency evaluation.  Not dissuaded, Frost continued to object, at which point the judge said,  “I’m not referring you for competency.  Your attorney is,” and you should take the issue up with counsel. 

The matter is being reset on the calendar.