Baltimore authorities are seeking custody of a murder suspect who was released from jail in North Carolina due to an apparent legal issue, police said.
Charles Anthony Boatwright, 55, is wanted in connection with a murder earlier this year in Baltimore. He was being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail in North Carolina, but after two consecutive court appearances and without an extradition order from the governor out of Maryland, Boatwright was released from jail this week.
“North Carolina law provides for a defendant to be held on extradition warrant for a period of 30 days and for the state to request an extension while awaiting the state of origin to submit an order from the governor,” the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement obtained by ABC affiliate WSOC-TV.
“After the original 30-day period, the case was continued twice over two months, as permitted by law, but because a governor’s order was never filed and the next possible court date fell outside the legally permitted detention period, the state was forced to dismiss the extradition order,” the statement continued.
Baltimore authorities are seeking custody of a murder suspect who was released from jail in North Carolina due to an apparent legal issue, police said.
Baltimore Police Department
Baltimore police issued a statement Thursday following Boatwright’s release, asking the public for help in locating him.
“In connection with the murder of Randolph Smith, age 56, who was murdered on July 13, 2025 in the 3900 block of Frederick Avenue, homicide detectives need your assistance in locating Charles Anthony Boatwright, age 55,” authorities said.
The investigation is currently ongoing and anyone with information regarding Boatwright’s whereabouts is asked to contact Baltimore Homicide Detectives or Baltimore Metro Crime Stoppers.
