Homicide defendant Deluntae Boyd was deemed mentally competent to stand trial on Aug. 12 for allegedly beating a man to death in a dispute over food outside a Checker’s restaurant in 2024.
Boyd, 36, has been under competency evaluation in Baltimore City Circuit Court’s mental health court since March. On Wednesday, Judge Gale E. Rasin said the court’s Medical Services Division completed its evaluation of Boyd, which found he could be held criminally responsible for charges of first-degree murder and robbery.
Both the prosecutor and defense attorney Andre Mahasa agreed to the report. Boyd’s next court date has not been scheduled as of Wednesday.
During his time in mental health court, Boyd was evaluated for mental illnesses and cognitive disabilities by a specialist. A second evaluation was also completed over concerns of intellectual impairment and additional mental illnesses, Baltimore Witness previously reported.
In order to stand trial, a defendant must understand the charges and be able to help his attorney.
According to court documents, the defendant is accused of beating Robert Horstman outside the Checker’s at 5300 Moravia Road on April 17, 2024. Boyd was allegedly upset when he was unable to order food because the fast-food restaurant was closing and no longer taking orders. He then walked over to Horstman, who was eating outside, and “snatched” the victim’s food.
An argument ensued and escalated moments later when Boyd pushed Horstman to the ground, causing him to hit his head on the table, as seen in video footage recovered by Baltimore police. The defendant reportedly punched the victim in the face twice and stomped on his head eight times.
Horstman was treated for brain swelling and bleeding at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The victim fell into a coma and was later admitted to hospice care, where he died on July 30, 2024.
Medical examiners classified Horstman’s death as a homicide from complications of blunt force injuries.
