Trial Absent for Man Charged With Murder

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The trial of a 55-year-old man facing a murder charge did not take place in Baltimore City Circuit Court as scheduled on Oct. 6. 

Douglas Cantrell is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of deadly weapon with an intent to injure, and first and second-degree assault in connection to an incident on May 1, 2019. 

Cantrell allegedly stabbed Vernon Jacobs, 51, around 7 a.m. in the 3500 block of Helmstetter Street. In a bail review on Sept. 8, the prosecution stated that Cantrell specifically stabbed Jacobs in the chest, abdomen, left arm, and left side in addition to causing blunt force trauma which ultimately led to the victim’s death. 

According to news reports there multiple

Defense attorney George Harper said Cantrell was allegedly assaulted by the brothers of a woman whom he asked to borrow a phone from in order to locate his lost vehicle. 

Cantrell was denied bail.

Currently, the Maryland Judiciary website has no updates on his next court proceeding.