Judge Signs Order for Competency Evaluation in Murder Case

By Sophia Amoroso - March 6, 2024
Court | Homicides | stabbing |

On March 6, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin signed an order for a competency evaluation for defendant Amit Kumar. 

Kumar, 44, is facing retrial for first-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure and second-degree murder. 

He was initially found guilty of first-degree murder and using a deadly weapon with intent to injure on Nov. 18, 2019. However, the defense was granted an appeal on April 13, 2021, due to issues during jury selection. 

During Kumar’s appearance before Judge Rasin, his defense counsel, Brandon Thornton, stated that a psychologist’s examination indicated that he may be suffering from cognitive issues and symptoms of psychosis. Additionally, his medical records from jail stated that he suffered from auditory hallucinations.

Judge Rasin agreed that there was good cause to examine his mental state and granted the order for an evaluation of competency. 

Kumar is accused of killing his wife, Anikta Verma, over an affair she was having with her boss. Officers responded to Kumar’s apartment at the 6700 block of Holabird Avenue on Jan. 11, 2019, and discovered Verma suffering from 55 stab wounds.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 20.