Gov. Larry Hogan, R, said payments to five men wrongfully imprisoned in Maryland would be awarded in two weeks, at the next meeting of the Maryland Board of Public Works. On Wednesday, the board also approved a $9.7 million payment to continue converting a onetime post office in downtown Annapolis into offices for the governor’s staff.
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.
Ex-offenders seek second chance in the workforce
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Those who have committed crimes often have a tough transition back into the workforce. On the national Day of Empathy, a group hit the halls in Annapolis to lobby lawmakers for the removal of questions regarding criminal…
Bill eliminates subjectivity surrounding threats of mass violence
Emergency legislation that would streamline penalties for those convicted of threats of mass violence — brought about by an increase in threats of mass shootings made in recent years — has passed the Maryland Senate and is advancing in the state House.
Baltimore neighborhood recovery continues three years after the death of Freddie Gray
Dwayne Weaver has owned Keystone pharmacy in West Baltimore for 32 years. He says the aftermath of the destruction that followed the death of Freddie Gray three years ago left his store 95 percent empty. While Weaver and his pharmacy are back in business again serving the community, he says he’s not sure whether the city is safer, despite crime being reported down 33 percent from this time last year.
Family not satisfied with verdicts in Paraguay murder of Maryland native
WASHINGTON — Nearly three years after 16-year-old Maryland native Luis Alejandro “Alex” Villamayor was killed in Paraguay, a defendant on Tuesday was found guilty of his murder and a second defendant was found guilty of obstructing the investigation. René Hofstetter,…
Buildings demolished to help Baltimore fight crime, rebuild neighborhoods
They’re boarded up and crumbling down. Blocks of abandoned houses in Baltimore are being demolished as part of city and state’s joint Project C.O.R.E.–Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise. Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh says the buildings being targeted often contribute to the sale and use of drugs and other criminal gang activity. She says that bringing those structures down and rebuilding those neighborhoods and communities will help to push the city forward.
Baltimore City police use swimming to bridge gap with youth
Baltimore has had a difficult time in recent years with a growing violent crime problem and turmoil in the police department. But there are still ongoing efforts to build relationships within the community in the hopes of turning things around. One such program takes aim at some of the city’s youngest residents. That program has kids and officers taking to the water together.
State delegate works to make streets safer following grandson’s murder
There were 342 homicides in Baltimore last year. Among the victims, the grandson of Baltimore City Delegate Talmadge Branch. Branch is sponsoring legislation to try and expand a violence prevention program already operating in the city in the hopes of saving the lives of others
Baltimore joint crime effort nets hundreds of arrests
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together for the past 60 days to combat violent crime in Baltimore has resulted in the arrests of hundreds of the city’s most violent offenders. The crackdown has lead to ten charges of murder, ten charges of attempted murder and 76 charged with assault or aggravated assault.