We have succeeded over the years to get the Maryland Legislature to change many antiquated laws which allowed some sex offenders to get away with their crimes. In 2019, state and local lawmakers passed bills to fund testing of previously untested kits and set standards for testing kits in the future. I believe the large majority of the officers have earned that respect. He said Shellenberger is out of touch with Democratic primary voters. We just work cooperatively toward that goal.. Law Clerks are assigned to work in one of the trial units. TurnAround, she said, is eager to work with the office on enhancing victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches to working with survivors. Past experience: Felony panel attorney with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender and U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, 1984-1987. Robbie Leonard continued to hold a narrow lead Wednesday of 860 votes over 15-year incumbent Scott Shellenberger for the Democratic nomination for Baltimore County State's Attorney. Ten days after Election Day, Shellenberger officially prevailed Friday in the Democratic contest between him and Robbie Leonard, a former public defender who is now an attorney in private practice. Imagine any other victim of a crime where we would say, in order to capture the real bad guy, we need to lock you up, put handcuffs on you and make you stand in front of a judge.. Shellenberger reported having over $13,000 on hand, while Haynes detailed having more than $1,500 available, according to campaign finance disclosure reports that covered July 4-Aug. 23. Baltimore Sun Media's voter guide allows candidates to provide their background, policy and platforms on issues, in their own words. The police department shrugs off and blows off so many claims of rape and sexual assault because they know that theres no point in arresting someone because Mr. Shellenberger is just going to dismiss the case, he alleged. One local professor said he sees the closeness of the race as a sign county voters are more open to criminal justice reforms than some previously believed. Assistant State's Attorney. A federal judge blocked the county from using its initial map and later accepted a revised version. On election night, it looked like Shellenberger could be unseated after 15 years in office. (A 2019 audit had found rape kits werent tested in 78% of cases.). About 2,100 votes separated the two. Shellenberger, who once led the division that prosecutes sex crimes, described sexual assaults as probably the most difficult cases for prosecutors in an interview with The Baltimore Sun about his campaign. Daily Record Government Reporter He said the close primary made him realize that he needs to more frequently publicize some of the reforms that hes implemented including putting in place a marijuana diversion program and supporting the adoption of police body cameras. I was involved actively in that process at both the County and State level. He described that practice as unprofessional, stating that its wrong to mix public service with considerations of political loyalty. an audit to examine possible racial disparities. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I have spent the majority of my career in public service, serving 14 years as a senior assistant state's attorney in the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office, and now working in the . The way that we can prevent it from happening again is to get good sentences, in the area of violent crime. You can unsubscribe from these alerts at anytime. And it recommended partnerships with organizations that have expertise and considering including victim advocates in some interviews and charging discussions. On the other hand, Shellenberger pointed to his decision to prosecute Baltimore County Police Officer James Laboard on a charge of manslaughter in the death of Christopher Brown, 17, of Randallstown, though a jury came back with a not guilty verdict in 2013. With two longtime Democratic County Council members not seeking reelection, including the only woman on the seven-member body, this years primary attracted a slew of hopefuls. (AP Photo/Piper Blackburn). Learn more about supporting local journalism. James A. Haynes. Shellenberger painted Leonard, who has never been a prosecutor, as unprepared for the office. He took office in 2007. Theres a point at which you get out of the process. He noted that he hires new assistant states attorneys and frequently speaks with his elected counterparts through his involvement with the Maryland States Attorneys Association. Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger has not had a Democratic primary challenger since he was first elected in 2006. As precinct ballots were tallied, Leonard maintained the marginal lead of 860 votes over Shellenberger, who had gone unchallenged in the primary race for his seat since the "tough on crime" prosecutor was . Shellenberger said his office doesnt collect data on outcomes or demographics due to current staffing levels and the difficulties in tracking cases court outcomes, such as if someone charged with a sex crime was ultimately convicted of a lesser or different type of crime. Both promised comments when the last votes were counted. Witnesses and victims of crime do not get paid to come to court, Haynes said. Throughout the Democratic campaign, Leonard sought to bring scrutiny to Shellenbergers record in office. In the state's attorney race, incumbent Scott Shellenberger has maintained a lead in recent days over challenger Robbie Leonard as mail-in votes are tallied. Shellenberger has cruised to reelection for more than a decade. That included Democrat Izzy Patoka of Pikesville. Unofficial results from the Maryland State Board of Elections showed a tight race from the votes garnered during the state's early voting period, with the candidates just 64 votes apart. While most attention Tuesday focused on the Republican and Democratic Gubernatorial races and the Baltimore City State's Attorney's race, others were heating up. WYPR - 88.1 FM Baltimore | The Baltimore Banner may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. In response, Shellenberger noted that killings are down, with 22 in 2022 compared to 42 at this time in 2021. represented state employee retirees in a lawsuit, Progressive Groups Endorse Robbie Leonard for Baltimore County States Attorney, Reform Council Recommends Ending Policy of Automatically Charging Some Youth as Adults, Mireku-North Launches Challenge to Montgomery County States Attorney, Moore joins with dignitaries at wreath laying ceremony before inauguration as states first Black governor, Moore faces great expectations and the weight of history as he takes office, Ahead of Moores inauguration as first Black governor, another first reflects, As Moore is inaugurated, the Black leaders who backed him are as enthusiastic as ever, Dayvon Love: Lets kill the woke straw man argument, Biden speaks of redeeming Americas soul during visit to Martin Luther Kings hometown church, Political Notes: Four more for the Moore team, plus the roster of Black Caucus leaders and an MLK Day fair housing event, Former delegate pleads guilty to misconduct in office for misusing state funds to pay for Middle River cottage, Consultants tell work group cannabis sales in Maryland could reach $1B after its legal. She previously worked on the print layout design team at The Diamondback, reported on criminal justice in Maryland for Capital News Service and served as a production assistant for The Confluence the daily news magazine on 90.5 WESA, Pittsburghs NPR member station. Shellenbergers tactic is to lean on the justice system. Those that don't or choose not to must be appropriately addressed. The Baltimore Sun typically does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault. He is hardworking and dedicated to his family and to his jobs and to the law, Riley said. The criminals havent scored any more points, he later added. After the recommendations from the countys latest task force on sexual assaults, the group did a follow-up audit in 2021 to measure improvements or lingering problems. Shellenberger told The Sun he spoke with Dever and said it was a wrong thing to say to a victim.. The prosecutors in this office have done a great job to be sensitive to all victims. In this instance, Dever said, the juror was a Black woman who told other jurors the defendant reminded her of her son and indicated she believed all Black women lie. The defendant was found not guilty in the trial. On election day I got the most votes. Early numbers showed a close race between Democrats Shafiyq Hinton and Mike Ertel for the seat now held by Cathy Bevins of Middle River. Haynes has called himself a political outsider.. Deputy States Attorney John Cox, who represented his boss, and Leonard were both present in the final hour of counting. I have stressed that during my time as the State's Attorney to all who work for me. He faces a federal lawsuit alleging he and others in his office violated a different womans constitutional rights when she sought to press charges. Education: Bachelors degree in English from the University of Maryland in 1973. We need to have a police department which earns and deserves the respect of all. Attorney Robbie Leonard said Monday he will challenge Shellenberger in next Junes primary. . Baltimore County voters have made their selections in primary races for states attorney, the County Council and county executive ahead of the November general contest. Additionally, it found three prosecutors were consulted on the most cases, of the 56 the audit examined that named a prosecutor. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Haynes, 72, of Rodgers Forge, is a retired administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Labor and a former state assistant attorney general. They deserve some finality. We have removed the defense that a person cannot be convicted of sexually assaulting a spouse. With a larger staff, Haynes said, the office would be able to better cooperate with police in building cases and cut down on postponements. Shellenberger wins Baltimore County states attorney primary race, Video Series: Off the Record with Sloane Brown, Baltimore City - vs. Jose Francisco Zacarias Perez, YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS/PRIVACY POLICY, Fed official: Rate hikes have begun to quell inflation, Ripken, Cooperstown baseball merge under deal with 76ers, Devils owners, Off the Record with Sloane Brown: Rene Hutchins, University of Maryland Carey School of Law. When youre trying to explain to someone the reasons why you cant go forward, you have to give real-life experiences as to what happens in other cases to give it context. That in itself, I think, is horrific.. 'This is a big job': Leonard Takes on Shellenberger in Baltimore County State's Attorney Primary By Hannah Gaskill May 30, 2022 Getty Images. This is a big job and I certainly think that Ive proven over the years that Im up to continuing to do it, said Shellenberger. They cannot be called upon to live the rest of their lives unable to move on from the horror they lived through in the loss of their loved one or the crime perpetrated on them. People in the community, he said, want to be safe from violent crime. [Baltimore Countys top prosecutor faces a progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years. The Maryland PAC is affiliated with the national Justice & Public Safety PAC, which has helped fund progressive prosecutor candidates in Virginia and Pennsylvania in recent years. Mike Ertel for the seat now held by Cathy Bevins of Middle River.. Law Clerks are assigned work. Hinton and Mike Ertel for the seat now held by Cathy Bevins of River. Described that practice as unprofessional, stating that its wrong to mix public service with considerations of political loyalty more! In 1973 Law, Riley said prevent it from happening again is to lean on the most cases of. 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