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 two summers ago on the 2400 block of W. Lafayette Avenue.
On July 5, 2024, at approximately 11 p.m., officers responded to a call for a stabbing and discovered Butler with numerous wounds to his upper body. Medics declared Butler deceased at the scene.
Aside from the murder charge, Blackwell also faces two misdemeanor offenses for concealing and using a deadly weapon with intent to injure.
Though Blackwell was previously found competent to stand trial during an evaluation hearing before mental health court 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 able to help his lawyer.
Blackwell’s competency hearing is scheduled for March 18.
