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A Calvert County man accused of assaulting another man earlier this month has been found incompetent to stand trial, documents on file in district court stated.

The suspect, identified as Jarel Armand Stepney, 22 of Lusby, was charged with first-and second-degree assault and openingly carrying a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. The alleged incident occurred April 5 at a residence on Cove Point Road in Lusby, court documents stated.

According to Det. Homer R. Rich of the Calvert Investigative Team (CIT), a 911 call was received at approximately 9:35 a.m. about one man beating another with a brick on Cove Point Road. Two deputy state fire marshals who were in the area conducting an investigation responded to the scene and saw the assault, as described by the caller, in progress. One of the officers, Dfm. Don Brenneman, drew his weapon, pointed it at the suspect, and ordered the suspect to drop the brick and step away from the victim.

Rich reported in court documents that there was evidence of a fight in front of the victim’s home. The victim is identified in court documents as Ashley Edmond Mayes, 41 of Lusby. Mayes sustained numerous deep lacerations to his face and scalp and sustained a large loss of blood. He was flown to a local trauma center due to his extensive injuries.

Rich stated in court documents that Stepney’s home was the scene of a fire the day before and the house was uninhabitable. “On Thursday morning [April 5], Stepney was found in the Prince Frederick area near a private residence,” Rich stated. “He was subsequently brought back to the Lusby area where he was dropped off at the Mayes residence. The victim (Ashley Mayes) advised that he knew Stepney and agreed to let him stay at the house until his family could be contacted and take care of him.”

During an interview with a CIT detective at Prince George’s Hospital, Mayes recalled that Stepney was watching television at the house and  and the two men “decided to go outside to smoke cigarettes,” Rich stated. “Just as they started to smoke Stepney started hitting Mayes with his hands and fists.” Stepney subsequently hit the victim several times with brick pavers, Rich’s statement alleges.

On April 16, District Court Judge E. Gregory Wells ordered Stepney committed to the care and custody of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene after the defendant was deemed incompetent to stand trial due to a mental disorder. The court order stated Stepney was a danger to himself and others. He is being evaluated at Spring Grove Hospital. A status conference was tentatively scheduled for Oct. 15 with an annual hearing planned for April 15 of next year.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com

 Mr. Stepney's Arrest: www.thebaynet.com/News/index.cfm/fa/viewStory/story_ID/27048