Police hunt for murder suspect after apparent legal hiccup releases him from jail

Charles Anthony Boatwright is wanted in connection to a murder in Baltimore.

Authorities in Baltimore are seeking custody of a murder suspect who was released from jail in North Carolina due to an apparent legal hiccup, police said.

Charles Anthony Boatwright, 55, is wanted in connection to a murder earlier this year in Baltimore. He was being held in Mecklenburg County Jail in North Carolina, but after two continued court appearances and with no governor's extradition warrant out of Maryland, Boatwright was released from jail this week.

"North Carolina law provides for a defendant to be held by extradition warrant for a period of 30 days and for the state to petition for an extension while awaiting for the originating state to file a Governor’s Warrant," 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 the law permits, but with no Governor’s Warrant ever filed and the next possible court date falling outside the legally permissible period of detention, the state was compelled to dismiss the extradition warrant,” the statement continued.

Baltimore Police issued a statement on Thursday following Boatwright’s release, asking for help from the public to locate him.

“In connection with the murder of 56-year-old Randolph Smith, who was killed on July 13, 2025, in the 3900 block of Frederick Avenue, Homicide Detectives need your help in locating 55-year-old Charles Anthony Boatwright,” authorities said.

The investigation is currently ongoing and anyone with information on the whereabouts of Boatwright is urged to contact Baltimore homicide detectives or Baltimore Metro Crime Stoppers.