Hospital Finds Defendant Competent Despite Defense Awaiting an NCR Plea

By Shayna Sefret [former] - June 22, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On June 21, a Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge read a report that found a defendant competent in mental health court to stand trial.

Jesse Freels was not present for his mental health court hearing but was represented by his attorney, Karyn Meriwether. Meriwether explained that she needed time to speak with her client about his NCR plea – a plea that means he was not criminally responsible during the time of the incident. She explained to Judge Gale E. Rasin that they were considering a private evaluation for Freels, 22, because an NCR plea had been filed for both cases.

Judge Rasin has yet to sign either plea, but Meriwether requested the courts continue to hold off on the signature in order to allow her more time to speak with Freels. 

The hearing that day, Meriwether explained, was merely a competency evaluation. Judge Rasin determined Freels was competent to stand trial.

Judge Rasin set Freels’ trial date for Oct. 4 for both matters. There would be no bail for Freels. There were three different memos Judge Rasin was responsible for initiating, but Judge Rasin declared the matter concluded. 

Freels is accused of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, firearm possession with a felony conviction, handgun on their person, gun within 100 yards of the public, illegal possession of ammunition, and firing a gun in Baltimore City all in connection to a Jan. 24 incident.

Officers were monitoring security footage when they spotted Freels walking into the metro station with a handgun on him. A detective ran tests to see if this gun matched a gun used in the 200 block of N. Eutaw Street shooting on Jan. 24. The gun was a match and Freels was arrested.