Judge Orders Defendant Accused of Murdering Mother to Remain in Hospital

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On April 19, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin said that a murder defendant who killed his mother in 2020 will remain committed to the hospital.

Medical reports from Clifton T. Perkins Hospital found defendant Kenard Kuniken incompetent to stand trial and a danger to himself and others, according to Judge Rasin.

She agreed with the hospital’s findings and told Kuniken, 33, and his defense attorney Ana Hernandez that he will remain in the hospital until Nov. 1, at which time they will reassess his case.

As reported by CBS Baltimore, Kuniken fatally stabbed his 51-year-old mother Tracy Phelps on the 6400 block of Walther Avenue on Feb. 10, 2020.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, in October 2021, Kuniken was found incompetent to stand trial for the charges of first-degree murder and having a deadly weapon with the intent to injure.