Baltimore Murder Suspect Re-Arrested in North Carolina After Administrative Lapse Led to His Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man accused of murder in Baltimore has been re-arrested in North Carolina after an administrative error forced his earlier release, according to authorities in both states.
Administrative Lapse Led to Release
Police said Charles Anthony Boatwright, 56, was taken back into custody in Charlotte over the weekend after being released from jail last Wednesday due to a missed extradition filing deadline by Maryland officials.
Boatwright is accused of fatally shooting 56-year-old Randolph Smith on July 13 in the 3900 block of Frederick Avenue in Baltimore, according to a report by The Washington Times.
He was originally arrested on July 16 by deputies with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, who charged him as a fugitive from Maryland. However, North Carolina officials said they were forced to release him after Maryland authorities failed to provide a governor’s warrant — the legal document required to complete the extradition process — within the 90-day holding period allowed by law.
Baltimore Police Under Scrutiny
According to Mecklenburg County officials, repeated attempts to obtain the necessary documentation from Maryland went unanswered. As a result, Boatwright’s detention expired, and Charlotte authorities had no legal authority to continue holding him.
“The sheriff’s office followed proper legal procedure,” an official said, confirming that Baltimore police did not respond to multiple extradition requests before the release deadline.
The Baltimore Police Department has not yet commented on the administrative lapse that led to the suspect’s release but is reportedly reviewing how the delay occurred.
Re-Arrest and Continuing Investigation
Boatwright was re-arrested Saturday in the Charlotte area, though police have not disclosed the exact location or details of the operation. It remains unclear whether Baltimore authorities have now filed the required governor’s warrant to ensure extradition back to Maryland.
The Washington Times reported that officials are working to confirm whether new paperwork has been submitted to secure Boatwright’s transfer. He is expected to remain in North Carolina custody while the process resumes.
Background on the Case
Boatwright faces a first-degree murder charge in the killing of Randolph Smith. The shooting took place in West Baltimore’s Edmondson Village area, a neighborhood that has seen several violent incidents in recent months.
The case has drawn criticism from both Maryland and North Carolina officials, who expressed frustration over what they described as a preventable administrative oversight that allowed a murder suspect to walk free for days before being recaptured.
Law enforcement agencies in both states say they are now taking steps to prevent similar procedural lapses in future extradition cases.
Readers can follow further developments on this case and related regional updates at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
