Judge Detains Defendant For Further Mental Evaluation

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Antoinette Harris appeared in mental health court March 12 in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan C. Lazerow, who was filling in for Judge Gale E. Rasin. Harris is being represented by defense attorney Karyn A. Meriwether.

Harris, 23, is charged with negligent vehicular manslaughter, negligent vehicular homicide while under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and several other theses are with in connection to an incident that occurred on Nov. 1, 2021, where she allegedly hit two pedestrians, killing one victim and leaving the other in a persistent vegetative state.

According to Meriwether, Harris has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, causing delusional thinking and a heightened fight-or-flight response, including paranoiac thoughts about her attorney.

Judge Lazerow ruled that she is a danger ordered that she be detained in patient care for further evaluation.

“I think I heard you say that I was supposed to be taking medication, prescribed medication. That is not true, so thank you for making that comment,” Harris told the judge. “Antoinette Harris checking out.”

Judge Lazerow scheduled Harris’ next hearing for April 16.