Manslaughter Defendant Recovering From Stroke, Considers Plea

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A 46-year-old manslaughter defendant rejected a plea offer in reception court in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on June 28.

Shakeff Hatcher is charged with involuntary manslaughter for an assault on the 100 block of Water Street on July 20, 2023, that ultimately killed Anthony Walther.

Hatcher was offered a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter with 10 years, suspending all but two years of home detention, probation, drug and alcohol treatment screening, anger management courses, and staying away from the location of the incident, The Water Street Tavern.

Defense attorney Brian Thompson didn’t decline or accept the offer on his client’s behalf, as he wanted to go over the terms with him first.

According to Thompson, the trial has been delayed because of a stroke Hatcher suffered hospitalizing him for months of needed rehabilitation. Although Hatcher is progressing, he is still in speech and physical therapy.

Hatcher will next appear in reception court July 11 to set a trial date.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department officers stated that Walther, 32, was found unresponsive at the scene and was transported to a local hospital, where he fell into a coma after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The victim died on Aug. 4, 2023. Witnesses allege Hatcher pushed Walther down a flight of stairs, causing the trauma that ultimately ended his life.