Judge Terminates Homicide Defendant’s Hospital Commitment

By Jaime Chan [former] , Grant Shanahan [former] - June 1, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge returned a defendant’s case to pre-hospital status on May 31 after he was found competent to stand trial for a 2022 homicide.

In December, defendant Jamal Smith was found competent to stand trial but underwent further examination after new assertions were made that he may not be.

Judge Gale E. Rasin told defense attorney Craig Kadish that she had no reason to keep the defendant in Clifton T. Perkins Hospital, saying there were a lot of patients waiting for treatment.

According to a report read by Judge Rasin, Clifton T. Perkins Hospital had not diagnosed Smith with any mental illness. The hospital recognized his alcohol use disorder, antisocial personality disorder and delirium from alcohol withdrawal. 

Kadish said Smith, 43, has a psychotic disorder and said he planned to file a motion for documents from Central Booking and Clifton T. Perkins Hospital in order to give to his evaluator.

The defendant is charged with first- degree murder and possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure.

As stated in court documents, the defendant stabbed and killed Robert Parker on Jan. 7, 2022 on the 1500 block of E. 28th Street. Patrol officers were called to the scene at 09:04 p.m., when they observed the victim suffering from stab wounds. Parker was transported to John Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:44 p.m.

Smith’s next hearing is scheduled for July 28.