Mental Health Court Judge Says She Can’t ‘Justify’ Keeping Murder Defendant in Hospital Despite Counsel’s Request

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On April 19, defense attorney Michael Lawlor made a request for her client to remain hospitalized despite being found competent to stand trial in a 2015 murder case.

Lawlor asked Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin if she would consider letting defendant Anthony Burris remain at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital after being found competent because prison settings could impact the defendant’s competency.

Judge Rasin explained that Burris, 33, is diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and lingering psychosis, neither of which require routine medication. She said she couldn’t “justify today, under any circumstance” to allow Burris to stay in the hospital knowing that multiple defendants are waiting for a bed to be evaluated.

Judge Rasin returned Burris to his previous trial status. A trial date has yet to be set.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Burris faces charges of firearm use during a felony violent crime and second-degree murder in connection to the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Earl Burton on the 1100 block of Laurens Street on Oct. 31, 2015.