Man Charged in Police Shoot-Out Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

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A Baltimore man facing charges of assault for allegedly opening fire on officers questioned the results of a health evaluation that found him incompetent to stand trial on Oct 26.

During his mental health court appearance, defendant Barron Coe told Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin that he did not understand how the circuit court medical examiner could come to the conclusion that he was incompetent. According to Coe, the examiner spoke with only him and his sister.

“I am not going to dispute the process,” said Coe, but he still expressed his apprehensions saying that examiners did not ask him anything substantial.

Judge Rasin informed him that the conclusion was made based on the review of his medical records and the interviews. The examiner diagnosed Coe with a mental disorder and said they did not believe Coe fully understood the legal proceedings against him.

Coe is charged with seven counts each of first and second-degree assault, seven counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, and reckless endangerment in connection with a police shoot-out on Dec. 25 2021. Coe was previously charged with attempted murder, but this is no longer listed on the Maryland Judiciary website.

According to a press release from the Northwest District of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), at approximately 4:25 p.m., officers responded to a home on the 4100 block of Crawford Avenue for calls of a man suffering from a potential behavioral crisis. Once they arrived, officers began speaking with Coe when they said he produced a gun and began shooting at them.

Coe was struck and taken into custody.

Judge Rasin upheld the examiner’s decision but said they would order further reports and notify the defendant when they do.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Coe, who is represented by attorney Deborah Marsh, is scheduled for receptions court on Nov. 9 at 9:00 a.m. before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.