Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy agreed to postpone the jury trial of Tyrone Blackwell, 30, on Feb. 2 after defense counsel requested a postponement to conduct a mental competency review.
Blackwell, is charged with the first-degree murder of 33-year-old Devin Lee Butler during a stabbing that occurred July 5, 2024. In the 2400 block of W. Lafayette Avenue.
Around 11 p.m. that night, officers responded to a call about a stabbing and discovered Butler with numerous wounds to his upper body. Emergency medical staff declared Butler dead at the location.
Aside from the murder charge, Blackwell also faces two misdemeanor offenses for utilizing a deadly weapon with intent to harm and concealing a dangerous weapon.
Though Blackwell was previously found competent to stand trial during an evaluation hearing before, Judge Gale E. Rasin, his legal counsel, sought an additional assessment on Feb. 2, insisting that he remains mentally unfit.
In order to stand trial, a defendant must understand the charges against him and be prepared to help his lawyer.
Blackwell’s competency hearing is now set for March 18 before Judge Rasin.
