Baltimore City Circuit Judge John Glynn on Wednesday threw out the charges against one of the three former correctional officers charged with beating inmate Raymond Smoot to death at Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center.
After 10 days of testimony and 27 witnesses, prosecutors presented little evidence against former guard Nathan Colbert, causing Glynn to grant a motion for acquittal of all counts against Colbert, the judge said.
Colbert, whose lawyer prohibited him from talking at length with the media, said he felt “good” and vindicated by the judge?s decision.
Though Glynn dismissed the charges against Colbert, the judge said the state had produced enough evidence, including several eyewitness accounts, to continue with murder charges against Dameon Woods and James Hatcher, who still face counts of second-degree murder and assault in Smoot?s brutal beating death on May 14, 2005.
The judge threw out a conspiracy count against the men, saying the state had done little to show the men planned or collaborated.
“If this is a conspiracy, then virtually any other crime committed in concert is a conspiracy,” Glynn said.
