Abingdon Man Who Fatally Stabbed Victim; Killed Deaf Cellmate In Maryland Guilty Of Murders

A man arrested in connection to a murder and then the strangling death of his deaf cellmate while he was incarcerated has been convicted, the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday.

Gordon Staron
Photo Credit: *Baltimore Police Department*

Zak Failla

10/02/2024 1:05 p.m.

Gordon Staron, formerly of Abingdon, pleaded guilty of the first-degree murder of Javarick Gantt in the Baltimore City's Central Booking and Intake Facility after previously admitting to killing a 66-year-old man at a bus stop.

The fatal stabbing was reported in the early hours of Sept. 6 , 2022, in the 1400 block of East Monument Street.

Police say that the investigation determined that Staron allegedly used one of his parents' vehicles to carry out the assault, and he was later busted with weapons and a sharp blade.

When he was approached by members of the Harford County Sheriff's Office, he got out of his Harford County home with a shotgun, and was placed under arrest.

According to court documents, in October 2022, shortly after Staron's arrest, Gantt was found unresponsive at the facility, and no one besides he or Staron entered or exited their cell.

Witnesses at the time said that they could hear Gantt - who they said was a deaf-mute - making noises and banging on his cell door between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. overnight on October 8, 2022.

Staron was the only suspect.

For killing Bell, Staron was convicted of:

First- and second-degree murder;
First- and second-degree assault;
Openly wearing and carrying a dangerous weapon.

"It has been my privilege to work alongside our talented Homicide Team Capt., Tonya LaPolla, to deliver justice on behalf of the two families who have lost their loved ones because of this defendant's violent and unconscionable actions," State's Attorney Ivan Bates stated.

"When I campaigned for this office, I promised to be a champion and defender of our older adult and disabled community in Baltimore, and the outcomes of these cases will undoubtedly ensure that Staron is never back on our streets to commit more malicious acts against vulnerable individuals."

Staron is scheduled to be sentenced for both cases in December.

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