Former Gov. Parris Glendening’s “life means life” policy changes criminal sentences for hundreds of prisoners. It is a decision he calls “a mistake,” but its impact continues to this day.
Capital Gazette shooter was concerned about sanity
Whether the man who killed five employees in the 2018 Capital Gazette shooting is sane — and therefore criminally responsible for the murders and associated acts — is a question that attorneys on both sides have spent months preparing to answer. Looking back through his court history shows a man who in 2012 sued the paper for libel, particularly aggrieved because, he said in court documents, a column it published implied he was insane.
Newsrooms reviewed security after Capital Gazette shooting
The tragedy resulting in the murders of journalists Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, Wendy Winters and John McNamara and advertising assistant Rebecca Smith has left newsrooms across the nation to address the question of how to move forward in an industry where vitriol and physical violence are constant and real possibilities.
Hogan issues first paroles for juvenile lifers in decades
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has paroled three individuals sentenced to life in a correctional facility for crimes they committed before turning 18. This is the first instance of such a release in 24 years.
New trial date set, records made public in Capital Gazette trial
The Capital Gazette shooting trial has been rescheduled for early March, just as court documents with information ranging from references to DNA testing to notes about the defendant’s veterinary history recently became publicly available.
Capital Gazette shooting trial postponed
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Michael Wachs postponed the Capital Gazette shooting trial Wednesday, after the defense asked for more time to review information provided by the prosecution’s mental health expert witnesses.
Shooter in Capital Gazette pleads guilty to murder, other counts
The gunman in the Capital Gazette shooting trial pleaded guilty Monday to the murders of journalists Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, Robert Hiaasen and John McNamara, as well as advertising assistant Rebecca Smith.
Judge limits notes from psychiatric evaluation in Capital Gazette shooting case
Judge Laura Ripken ruled on the Anne Arundel State’s Attorney’s Office request in the Capital Gazette shooting trial to access materials that defense experts used to make conclusions concerning the defendant’s mental health, should the case reach the criminal responsibility phase of proceedings.
Judge orders mental evaluation remain private in criminal phase of Capital Gazette trial
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Laura Ripken ruled during a Friday motions hearing that attorneys in the Capital Gazette shooting trial are not to discuss the findings of the defendant’s mental health evaluation during the guilt or innocence phase of proceedings.
Judge denies defense motion to limit crime-scene video in Capital Gazette case
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Laura Ripken denied a defense motion to exclude most of the crime-scene video from the June 2018 Capital Gazette mass shooting site during a hearing Wednesday.