Man Accused of Killing 73 Year Old Gets Another Competency Eval

By Caroline Myers [former] - October 27, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A judge ordered another competency evaluation for a man accused of killing a 73-year-old man during mental health court on Oct. 27.

Christopher Straham, 24, is charged with first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure, armed robbery, and attempted armed robbery in connection to the death of Andras Horvath. Horvath was attacked and killed on Dec. 2, 2016, around 4 p.m. on the 400 block of N. Highland Avenue.

Straham had previously been deemed incompetent to stand trial. On Feb.  26, 2020, he was found competent but remained incarcerated at a psychiatric hospital in order to maintain his competency. 

On Wednesday, Judge Gale E. Rasin ordered a new competency evaluation based on the recommendations of two other judges that had recently encountered Straham in court, labeling his behavior as “agitated and erratic.”

Straham had tried to dismiss his defense attorney, Natasha Dartigue, during reception court on Sept. 16.

According to WBAL TV, the victim was buying food at a nearby Popeye’s fast food restaurant at Highland Avenue and Pulaski Highway in East Baltimore, where he was allegedly attacked and stabbed by Straham and robbed of money he had on hand.

Straham’s next hearing is scheduled on Nov. 10.