Judge Sets Trial Date for 2021 Christian Street Murder Defendant

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At a reception court hearing on Sept. 19, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn scheduled the trial for a murder defendant.

The defendant, 40-year-old Taiwan Mitchell, was represented by defense attorney Staci Pipkin. When the hearing began, Pipkin immediately told Judge Phinn that her client objected to any postponement.

According to the court’s record, Mitchell has spent almost two years in jail but hasn’t received a trial yet. Mitchell’s hearings have received repeated continuances due to a need to review an autopsy, a change in defense attorneys and scheduling conflicts.

Judge Phinn scheduled Mitchell’s trial on Nov. 29 before Judge Dana M. Middleton.

Mitchell is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and two counts of possessing a gas or air pellet gun in connection with the murder of 36-year-old Roy Henry Cantler III.

According to a statement of charges issued by the District Court of Maryland, on Nov. 13, 2021, a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officer responding to a call found Cantler dead on the 2200 block of Christian Street. Cantler and a second victim had been shot by a high-powered BB gun. Witnesses identified Mitchell as the shooter using a photo array.

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