Murder defendant declared fit to stand trial in 2020

By McKenna Yoder, McKenna Yoder – October 2, 2024
court | Daily Stories | murders | Suspicious | Victim |

After two years in mental health court, an Anne Arundel County man was finally found mentally competent and given a trial date for a 2020 assault and robbery that ultimately left the victim dead.

Ronald Alston, 36, of Arnold, Maryland, is charged with murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery for a February 18, 2020 incident in which he is accused of fatally attacking Ricky Martin at a BP gas station in the 100 block on West Patapsco Avenue.

Alston's trial was scheduled for later in December by Judge Melissa K. Copeland of Baltimore City Circuit Court.

The Maryland Judiciary website shows that Alston has been in mental health court since 2022, with Judge Gale E. Rasin declaring him competent on April 3.

According to the Maryland District Court, Martin was initially a paraplegic due to his injuries from the attack at the gas station, but his condition continued to deteriorate until he ultimately died on January 19, 2021. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Surveillance footage from the gas station showed four people beating and robbing Martin. Officials with the Anne Arundel County Police Department identified Alston as one of the suspects.