Homicide Defendant Now Competent, Receives Trial Date

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

Donate Now

On April 2, homicide defendant Jamal Smith received a September trial date from Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland.

Smith, 44, is currently charged with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure in connection to the stabbing and subsequent death of 29-year-old Robert Parker.

Smith’s defense attorney, Benjamin Charlton, told the court that the defendant was originally deemed mentally incompetent. However, he was subsequently found competent and ready to proceed with a trial.

Judge Copeland scheduled a four-day trial starting on Sept. 24 before Judge Larence P. Fletcher-Hill. 

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Smith allegedly stabbed Parker on the 1500 block of East 28th Street on Jan. 27, 2022. Baltimore Police Department officers discovered Parker suffering from apparent stab wounds. Witnesses at the scene told police that Parker and Smith were roommates and they had allegedly been arguing.

Follow this case