Early voting ends Nov. 3. In the race to be the countys top prosecutor, Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger faced an aggressive primary challenge from Robbie Leonard as he sought a fifth term. In 2017, Shellenberger opposed mandatory testing of every rape kit. We must endeavor to address the root causes of crime and help those driven by issues often out of their control. You can unsubscribe from these alerts at anytime. Civil rights groups sued the county after last years redistricting process, alleging the plan unlawfully diluted Black residents votes. With the limits on resources with which I am provided, that is where my priorities will be. His office has adopted some of the groups recommendations, such as documenting when prosecutors review police investigations, but has disagreed with others. The states attorney and others in his office are defendants in an ongoing federal lawsuit in which a woman who reported she was raped alleges they violated her constitutional rights. We are active participants in problem solving courts in appropriate cases where the primary focus is treatment rather than incarceration. Leonard said arresting possible human trafficking victims preposterous. District Court Division. I do not believe the facts that you revealed the first time to the police amount to a crime in the state of Maryland.. Shellenberger said while he often testifies in opposition to the bills as drafted, he supports reasonable reforms. He harkened back to the 2015 Maryland Second Chance Act and the 2016 Justice Reinvestment Act, both of which he supported. 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. The way we catch defendants who are guilty of human trafficking is to make an arrest in a prostitution case, said Shellenberger, who clarified that that doesnt mean that that person needs to be prosecuted for prostitution.. The Sun obtained a recording of the May 16 exchange from Leonard, who also spoke in the event. And the voters of Baltimore County deserve that change.. Leonard will make his bid for Baltimore County States Attorney official on Saturday. All Rights Reserved. In the lawsuit, a woman accuses Shellenberger of sending police to her home to tell her to stop trying to pursue criminal charges against the men she said assaulted her. . But in the days that followed, Leonard saw his lead eroded as more than 87,000 mail-in votes were counted. With roughly 35,000 Baltimore County ballots yet to be counted, the Democratic primary for states attorney was extremely close Tuesday night, with hundreds of votes separating attorney and Maryland Democratic Party Secretary Robbie Leonard and longtime incumbent Scott Shellenberger. We have removed the defense that a person cannot be convicted of sexually assaulting a spouse. He described that practice as unprofessional, stating that its wrong to mix public service with considerations of political loyalty. By late Friday afternoon, Shellenberger gained a 918-vote advantage over Leonard. I am running to continue our efforts to protect all of the citizens of Baltimore County from crime. Advertisement Incumbent Democrat Johnny Olszewski defeated former. What's behind Baltimore County crime and how can the State's Attorney's office help to address those root causes? Sign up to get the Maryland Matters Memo in your inbox every morning. The public then expects a decision by their State's Attorney to pursue prosecution when appropriate. The prosecutor, Lisa Dever, told The Sun her intent was to explain you cant know jurors past experiences or what theyll bring to a case. Other controversies in Baltimore Countys sexual assault investigations and prosecutions have ranged from the lack of testing and destruction of rape kits to authorities reluctance to bring criminal charges unless theres evidence a victim physically resisted. Should certain crimes be prioritized and, if so, which? 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. Its important for the courts to get involved so that they can assist defendants in getting the help that they need, sometimes by making it a condition of probation.. Some voters, though, said they were discouraged from voting for Leonard after receiving a slew of mailers in the waning weeks of the primary from a super political action committee excoriating Shellenbergers reluctance to prosecute sexual assault crimes and charge police officers who fatally shoot civilians. Incumbent Scott Shellenberger gained ground in the Democratic primary race for Baltimore County state's attorney as mail-in ballots are tallied, taking a narrow lead Friday over. Together, we can, At a heated meeting Thursday, the Juvenile Justice Reform Council voted to recommend that the legislature abolish the practice of automatically charging minors in, Bernice Mireku-North (D), a Silver Spring attorney and criminal justice reformer, formally launched her bid to unseat Montgomery County States Attorney John J. McCarthy. For example, many people are required to get drug treatment during probation. NR: not reported: Denotes Winner of the Election. By: Bryan P. Sears Shellenberger said he has tried to run his office in a nonpolitical way. In 2019, state and local lawmakers passed bills to fund testing of previously untested kits and set standards for testing kits in the future. Hes very intelligent. The woman disputed Shellenbergers suggestion that her story changed and said he told her last year he believed her allegation because she was consistent.. Before pursuing journalism, she received her bachelors of fine art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 2016. It is also crucial to examine policy outcomes to make them race-neutral.. Now, for the first time in 12 years, Shellenberger faces a Republican opponent, Jim Haynes, an attorney and former Maryland assistant attorney general, on Election Day. Working immediately to get an innocent person freed who has been wrongly convicted is probably the most important thing a prosecutor should do. When you get into the process, the taxpayers in Maryland and Baltimore County end up paying for your mistakes, said Haynes, referring to the states attorneys offices involvement in the case. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Find us in a community near year. I accept that. There is no statute of limitation on rape in the state of Maryland. On the final day of counting, incumbent Scott Shellenberger added 182 votes to his nearly 2,000 vote lead and edged out Robbie Leonard. If Leonard clinches the Democratic nomination, hell have ousted one of the most prominent voices on law enforcement and criminal justice in Annapolis. I dont find that acceptable, but that is the reality, Shellenberger said. State's Attorney County Courts Building 401 Bosley Avenue, Room 511 Towson, Maryland 21204 Reception Office Room 329 Hours Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Email statesattorney@baltimorecountymd.gov Phone 410-887-6600 TTY: 410-887-2799 State's Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger He said crime and the fear of crime does not seem to be getting better. "The U.S. Attorney's Office will monitor the federal, state and local elections in Chicago and surrounding suburbs on Nov. 6, 2018. Shellenberger said that when the county began collecting test kit evidence, they had to make priorities as to which kits would be tested. For example, kits went untested in cases where both parties knew each other because identification wasnt an issue, he explained. 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. Acie Spencer, 55, said he voted for Shellenberger and other incumbents who he says have run their offices effectively. . On Tuesday, Bates, 54, of Locust Point, was elected as the next Baltimore state's attorney. Leonards and the PACs messaging focused heavily on Shellenbergers handling of sexual assault cases. Juris doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1981. Tracking prosecutorial decisions is difficult due to a lack of public reporting. Attorney at the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos from 1993-2006. I think we have kept things fresh, even though Ive been here a long time, Shellenberger said. We continue to train and learn more to find the best way to pursue sexual assaults. That in itself, I think, is horrific.. He was challenged by Tony Fugett, who was one of an unprecedented number of Black candidates across the county to run for council after the redistricting lawsuit. Of those, the three unnamed prosecutors brought charges in three out of 33. And its not OK for the states attorneys office to turn their back on their sworn oath.. The strength of Leonards candidacy, I think, suggests that the public has an appetite for criminal justice reform.. County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., who was elected in 2018, faced little competition in the Democratic race. July 29, 2022. BALTIMORE, MD -- 6/19/15 -- U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards speaks at the first Rural Maryland Democratic Summit in Frederick on Saturday. Quirk called the PACs ad campaign character assassination that influenced the race and said, Scott has always done his job very professionally.. 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. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. For the first time in a decade, Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger (D) will have a Republican opponent to campaign against if he can beat Robbie Leonard (D) in the 2022 primary election. He pointed to the murder of George Floyd, the Freddie Gray case and the Gun Trace Task Force scandal. Gaskill has had bylines in The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post and The Chicago Tribune, among other publications. A county task force formed in 2019 to examine sexual assault investigations identified the topic as an issue for the office, which includes Shellenberger and prosecutors. The Democratic nominee will face either Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the November general election. At the end of the day, Robbie garnered so much support because so many people supported his vision, Rev. The states attorney said he has supported what he considers reasonable criminal justice reform, and touted his long experience prosecuting crime and supervising dozens of attorneys. The task forces original report found prosecutors declined to charge in 57% of the audits sampling of sexual assault cases reported from 2016 through 2018, and brought charges in 34%. Those that don't or choose not to must be appropriately addressed. Last updated: 08/24/2022 04:50:11 PM. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policies | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | Ad Choices. Shellenberger was not available for comment Tuesday night. But when counting of mail-in ballots started later that week, Shellenberger closed the gap and then gained ground. Leonard said that incarceration for drug offenses and prostitution doesnt work. The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City accepts applications on a rolling basis for membership into the Honors Law Clerk Program. This is not a place to learn on the job.. [Live election results: Maryland Gubernatorial primary]. Last summer, he represented unemployed Marylanders who successfully challenged Republican Gov. 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. He wanted to engage with those directly impacted by the failings of the justice system, such as domestic violence victims and people returning home after incarceration. The. He supports diverting low-level offenses out of the criminal justice system and wants to conduct a racial equity audit examining prosecutorial practices. Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger has survived an aggressive primary challenge in a race that offered voters contrasting visions of what a top prosecutors priorities should be. Name Party Early Voting We came up short of victory but we started a real conversation for change, he said. If you say youre going to ring the bell, ring the bell, said Haynes, whos also a retired federal appellate administrative law judge. The woman who confronted Shellenberger about her case told The Sun in an interview she decided to come forward after years of pushing for criminal charges out of desperation and pain, both to get justice for herself and to try to protect other women. The Baltimore Banner may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the committee in the latest state campaign finance report, donating $884,000. Baltimore County voters have made their selections in primary races for state's attorney, the County Council and county executive ahead of the November general contest. The winner of the primary will go on to the general election to face Republican James A. Haynes, 72, a former federal labor department administrative judge who lives in Rodgers Forge, or Deborah Hill, 60, a private practice attorney who lives in Cockeysville. At the May online meeting of the Southwest Baltimore County Democratic Club, Shellenberger confirmed hed met with the woman and didnt believe prosecutors could prove her case. Haynes said he would neither solicit campaign donations from staff nor ask them to work the polls. I always wondered, like, how is this states attorney a Democrat? Shellenberger takes issue with that, saying his office has prosecuted 19 police officers for various offenses. Republican Tony Campbell was unopposed. 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. The more time that people had to learn about the differences between the two of us, the people chose me. Leonard is the secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. It is clear from the years I have been a prosecutor that the root of most crime is in drug addiction, alcohol abuse or mental health issues. . He later changed his position, saying he saw the value in testing all kits because doing so can link suspects to other sex offenses. It appears that this has been accomplished. We also need to continue our efforts to demonstrate to all citizens that the justice system must continue in our efforts to be race neutral and assure that all are treated fairly. The PAC filed in mid-June and its spending, only related to Leonards campaign, far outmatched what either candidate raised throughout the primary. 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. Find Maryland Election Campaign & Political lawyers, attorneys, law firms - MD Election Campaign & Political Lawyers Weve got to prosecute the bad guys and sometimes its going to be the police.. State's Attorney Republican Candidates - Vote for 1 Shellenberger, meanwhile, emphasized his experience prosecuting crimes and said he has supported what he calls reasonable criminal justice reform. Im happy to see that a billionaire couldnt buy an election, County Councilman Tom Quirk, an Oella Democrat who supported Shellenberger, said this week as Shellenberger was ahead during vote-counting. State Del. Haynes has called himself "a political. Shellenberger has frequently opposed progressive criminal justice legislation in Annapolis. Leonard has been a practicing attorney for 15 years and served as a public defender in Baltimore City. Were often hearing from survivors that they want justice, said Rodriguez. Incumbent Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger, left, a Democrat, and Jim Haynes, right, a Republican, are running against each other. The Republican primary, meanwhile, attracted six candidates. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Were going to lose if we play defense, Haynes said. In mid-May, New York Magazine published a piece detailing an ongoing federal lawsuit against Shellenberger and other officials in which sexual assault survivors have alleged that their rights were violated and the investigation of their cases mishandled. By, Wavelength: Baltimore's Public Radio Journey, One Day at a Time: In Recovery in Baltimore, Celebrating 20 Years of Commitment to Community. For those who are guilty and a Judge has decided the appropriate sentence, we cannot ignore and must be sensitive to the victims. 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 . The Baltimore Sun typically does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault. A woman confronted Shellenberger at a local Democratic club meeting in mid-May to ask why prosecutors did not bring criminal charges in her 2018 rape case. You can unsubscribe from these alerts at anytime. He said hed hire ethics counsel to both keep people out of trouble and help assistant states attorneys do their best work. I draw the line, however, when we address violent crime where innocent people are victimized. The race got heated between former state delegate Pat McDonough and Darren Badillo, an auto sales manager and deacon at Rosedale Baptist Church. Where do you see room for improvement in how sexual assault survivors are treated by law enforcement and prosecutors? 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