Judge Orders Mental Evaluation Against Defendant’s Wishes

By Sara Palmer [former] - January 31, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Suspects |

On Jan. 31, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin ordered a not criminally responsible plea (NCR) evaluation for attempted murder defendant Antionne Johnson before his trial is set to take place on March 21. The test would determine is Johnson legally sane and responsible for his actions.

Johnson, 32, is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, discharging firearms, armed carjacking, carjacking, theft between $1,500 and $25,000, firearm possession with a felony conviction, having a handgun on his person and in a vehicle in connection to a May 4, 2022, shooting.

Johnson was originally supposed to be evaluated on Jan. 23 but refused to board the bus to the hospital. Defense attorney Roland Harris claimed his client has been diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder and substance abuse. 

Harris told Judge Rasin the last time he spoke with his client he expressed desire to discharge him, which he has done in the past. Harris said he believed his client didn’t understand what an NCR evaluation was, nor what the consequences of discharging his attorney were. 

Johnson responded by saying he no longer wished to discharge Harris and that he was aware of “everything” regarding his trial.

The assistant state’s attorney also believed that Johnson had above average understanding of the case and the NCR evaluation process.

Judge Rasin agreed with the defense that Johnson should be evaluated despite Johnson’s resistance to the notion.

Johnson will reappear in mental health court in two weeks.