For three weeks in March, a convicted Baltimore murderer was back on the streets, not because a judge cleared him, but because the state let him go by mistake.
Dana Davenport, 32, who was convicted in a 2024 Baltimore murder case, was mistakenly released from custody by state corrections officials on March 3. He was taken back into custody on March 24, 2026, after officers found him in west Baltimore. His conviction had been reversed on appeal, and the case sent back for a retrial, and court orders had directed that he be held without bail while the new proceedings were pending. Authorities have not yet explained how the erroneous release happened.
Appeals Court Found Reversible Error
According to an unreported opinion from the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, Davenport’s January 2024 conviction was reversed, and the case was remanded for a new trial. The ruling flatly states, “Finding reversible error, we shall reverse,” citing disputed witness credibility and evidentiary rulings as the basis for tossing the verdict.
Mistaken Release, Warrant And Re-Arrest
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services mistakenly released Davenport on March 3, 2026, officials say. A warrant was issued on March 17 after the error was discovered.
The Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division located and arrested Davenport without incident on March 24 in west Baltimore, according to FOX45. The station published a press-release statement from Sheriff Sam Cogen, who said his office will work with partner agencies “to determine how a person facing murder charges was mistakenly released from jail” and to prevent similar errors going forward.
What Happened In The Original Case
Davenport was convicted in January 2024 of first-degree murder and related weapons offenses in the June 5, 2022, shooting death of 37-year-old Tyrone Walker on the 200 block of South Loudon Avenue. At trial, prosecutors pointed to DNA on a pill bottle and other evidence to tie Davenport to the killing.
The Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office included Davenport’s sentence in a May 2024 roundup of recent cases, and local court coverage by Baltimore Witness documents the guilty verdict and the May 13, 2024, sentencing to life plus 25 years.
Officials Promise Reviews
The Sheriff’s Office has said it will cooperate with corrections officials and prosecutors to figure out what went wrong. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services did not immediately provide additional comment to media, FOX45 reported.
Mistaken releases involving people who are supposed to be held under court orders typically trigger internal probes and administrative reviews in Maryland corrections facilities.
Legal Status And Next Steps
With Davenport back in custody, prosecutors can now move toward the retrial ordered by the appeals court. Under the Maryland Court of Special Appeals opinion, the prior guilty verdict has been vacated, but the State is permitted to seek to retry the case. Officials have not yet announced a new trial date.
