A 42-year-old man accused of fatally shooting an acquaintance will be held without bail after Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael A. DiPietro noted “his inability to remain infraction-free is a risk to public safety.”
Taiwan Mitchell is charged with possession of an air pellet gun and involuntary manslaughter in the Nov. 13, 2021 death of Roy Henry Cantler III, who was shot through the eye with a BB gun on the 2200 block of Christian Street. Cantler later succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital. The second victim suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. According to the state’s attorney, the shooting stemmed from a dispute over drugs and money.
Mitchell was initially sentenced on Dec. 5, 2023 to 15 years for the shooting. The term included 10 years for Cantler’s involuntary manslaughter, plus five years for assaulting the second victim. The conviction was reversed on a technicality, according to Judge DiPietro.
Pipkin requested home detention for Mitchell, citing his “fairly limited criminal record” and described him as a father and lifelong resident of Baltimore.
However, Mitchell’s criminal record dates back 30 years including robbery, drug possession, assault, firearm use, violation of probation, and threatening correctional officers in jail. According to the state’s attorney, Mitchell recently stabbed a fellow inmate with a 7.5-inch handmade weapon.
Given Mitchell’s criminal record and “inability to remain infraction-free,” the state requested that Mitchell be held without bail.
Judge DiPietro agreed , and ruled that Mitchell remain incarcerated pending trial.
Mitchell will next appear in court on June 10 for a pre-trial conference before Judge Melissa K. Copeland.
