Additionally, it found three prosecutors were consulted on the most cases, of the 56 the audit examined that named a prosecutor. He fulfilled a lifelong dream when elected State's Attorney for Baltimore County in 2006, and was re-elected in 2010, 2014 and 2018. Offers may be subject to change without notice. It appears incumbent Democratic Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger could lose his seat to well funded progressive challenger Robbie Leonard. We need people with new ideas that are gonna change the status quo, which is not really working, Matey said after casting her vote at Catonsville High School Tuesday afternoon. I want to raise the level of professionalism in the office.. We cannot, however, pursue cases which cannot be proven. News you can trust. He is what youve seen: Hes a man of great character. He was ahead as votes started to be counted Tuesday night. One plaintiff, Anna Borkowski, told the magazine that Shellenberger sent three members of the Baltimore County Police Department to her grandmothers house in Baltimore City, which is out of their jurisdiction, to tell her to stop attempting to file charges against her assailants. About 2,100 votes separated the two. Leonard said the incumbents opposition to local police reform policies mobilized him to challenge Shellenberger. Shellenbergers primary win comes as he takes time away from the office. Working immediately to get an innocent person freed who has been wrongly convicted is probably the most important thing a prosecutor should do. Learn more about supporting local journalism. Shellenberger received 44,962 votes or 51% compared to Leonard's 42,847 votes, 49%. It is among dozens of groups pumping money into local races for head prosecutor across the U.S. and funded generously by New York billionaire George Soros and groups associated with him. The Baltimore County States Attorneys Office requested that law enforcement ask her not to seek charges against the men after prosecutors declined to proceed with a case. County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., who was elected in 2018, faced little competition in the Democratic race. Baltimore County State's Attorney is challenged on prosecution . Quirk called the PACs ad campaign character assassination that influenced the race and said, Scott has always done his job very professionally.. (Ex: Low-level drug offenses vs. violent crimes with victims, etc.). 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. The Baltimore County Board of Elections certified the county's results Friday, following a week of counting thousands of mail-in and provisional ballots. Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger has not had a Democratic primary challenger since he was first elected in 2006. With a larger staff, Haynes said, the office would be able to better cooperate with police in building cases and cut down on postponements. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, some scrutiny for his handling of police involved shooting incidents. In the Democratic primary, Leonard has garnered an impressive list of endorsements so far, including from the Teachers Association of Baltimore County, Our Revolution, The Working Families Party, Progressive Maryland, CASA in Action and several labor unions. The 2021 audit also found more standardized documentation of prosecutors review of police cases. . County prosecutors treatment of assault victims is the topic of an ongoing federal lawsuit. This is accomplished by the existence of a thorough and impartial investigation. Juris doctor from University of Baltimore of School of Law in 1984. BALTIMORE Although the Primary Election has come and gone, some races have yet to be called. - University of Baltimore, School of Law, 1984 - Loyola College, 1981, - State's Attorney for Baltimore County since 2007 - Won election in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018. Longtime Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenbergers record on handling sexual assault cases is in the spotlight as he seeks a fifth term as the countys top prosecutor. I dont like smear campaigns, said Laurel Matey, a 49-year-old Catonsville resident, referring to the ads distributed by Leonard and his supporters that cast Shellenberger in a bad light. He has also called for an audit to examine possible racial disparities in charging decisions. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger has not had a Democratic primary challenger since he was first elected in 2006. Baltimore Sun Media May 17, 2022 at 3:43 pm Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger Democratic 63 Towson, Baltimore County State's Attorney for Baltimore. Nonpartisan. In the 26 cases where prosecutors were consulted, the audit found, there were six that proceeded to criminal cases, 17 where charges were declined, one dismissed case and a request for further investigation of two cases. [Baltimore Countys top prosecutor faces a progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years. He said hed like to post information about the office and its results as a measure of transparency on the website. The race got heated between former state delegate Pat McDonough and Darren Badillo, an auto sales manager and deacon at Rosedale Baptist Church. Incumbent Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger remained ahead in the Democratic primary for his office after more than 12,000 more mail-in votes were added Sunday, extending his lead over progressive challenger Robbie Leonard to 2,150 votes in the latest accounting of mail-in ballots. 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. Leonard said, Just in the past few years weve seen so many civilians who have been killed by the police, whether they were suffering a mental health crisis or just being Black.. Some female voters told The Baltimore Sun during the campaign that issues related to sexual assault were why they supported Leonard. What's behind Baltimore County crime and how can the State's Attorney's office help to address those root causes? The Sun obtained a recording of the May 16 exchange from Leonard, who also spoke in the event. I dont find that acceptable, but that is the reality, Shellenberger said. I am running to continue our efforts to protect all of the citizens of Baltimore County from crime. According to his most recent financial disclosure, he has around $22,000 in his campaign coffers. Haynes brought up the allegations in the lawsuit that led to the recent settlement. Early numbers showed a very tight race, with the two separated by a fraction of a percentage point. Critics have targeted Shellenberger over his handling of sexual assault cases and police involved shooting incidents. Has Maryland gone too far, or far enough, when it comes to police reform? Retired from the US Department of Labor as Appellate . The county police and fire unions backed Shellenberger, while Leonard won endorsements from local Democratic clubs, progressive groups and other labor organizations, including the county teachers union. Name Party Early Voting The 2021 audit said it couldnt assess case outcomes at trial because of COVID-19 delays. 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. The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City accepts applications on a rolling basis for membership into the Honors Law Clerk Program. Our nonprofit news organization is made possible by, Select the type of alerts youd like to receive, Browsers such as Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, Get text messages from The Banner in urgent situations (message and data rates may apply). 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.. 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%. I was involved actively in that process at both the County and State level. Past experience: Law clerk from 1982-1985 in the Baltimore County States Attorneys Office, assistant states attorney from 1985-1993. Elected officials such as Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., he noted, have endorsed his opponent. He described that practice as unprofessional, stating that its wrong to mix public service with considerations of political loyalty. In 2017, Shellenberger opposed mandatory testing of every rape kit. BALTIMORE Although the Primary Election has come and gone, some races have yet to be called. Rogers Forge, Baltimore County. Attorney at the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos from 1993-2006. He said his office now requires more documentation about its decisions to approve or decline charges in similar cases. He said he feels that he has a greater diversity of experience than his opponent. Law Clerks are assigned to work in one of the trial units. All rights reserved. By late Friday afternoon, Shellenberger gained a 918-vote advantage over Leonard. Hannah Gaskill received her masters of journalism degree in December 2019 from the University of Maryland. Shellenberger also said Leonards out-of-state support was troubling. 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. Why would we deny the fact that mail that told voters exactly what the differences between the candidates were the good things about me, the things the incumbent needed to improve upon, said Leonard. Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for Baltimore County. Do voters want change? So what we learned in this campaignwe just have to start earlier in making that contrast between the candidates. So often, with the way that these cases are handled, justice is not just denied, but they feel reassaulted by the criminal justice system. Returns were. Crime, he said, is regional. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. "The U.S. Attorney's Office will monitor the federal, state and local elections in Chicago and surrounding suburbs on Nov. 6, 2018. 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. 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. We need a change, Leonard said. 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. 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. . I believe the large majority of the officers have earned that respect. Shellenberger said that older kits are currently being tested even in cases where it wasnt stranger-on-stranger. Thus far, 400 older kits have been tested and 300 more are on deck. 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. Find Maryland Election Campaign & Political lawyers, attorneys, law firms - MD Election Campaign & Political Lawyers Last Updated 12/02/2014 03:18:07 PM. One Republican, Al Nalley, ran unopposed. Apr 2013 - Sep 20141 year 6 months. This is a place where I was well prepared when I first came into office and am even more prepared to continue to lead the office now, he added. Others vying for the GOP nomination were Henry Ciezkowski, Thilo August Albert Gluck, A. Scott Pappas and Kimberley Stansbury. 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. Both Shellenberger and Leonard have declined to discuss the changes in vote totals over the last week of counting. Law Clerks are an essential part of the office. Of the cases where prosecutors brought charges, convictions were secured in 64% of the cases. If Leonard clinches the Democratic nomination, hell have ousted one of the most prominent voices on law enforcement and criminal justice in Annapolis. (A 2019 audit had found rape kits werent tested in 78% of cases.). 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. Election Day is Nov. 8. dylan.segelbaum@thebaltimorebanner.com Meet the candidates for Baltimore County state's attorney Scott Shellenberger Age: 63 Residence: Towson Political party: Democratic By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The state's attorney is elected to a four-year term and earns a salary of $216,749. As of this publishing, the two are separated by less than 1,000 votes which is just shy of two percentage points. And I think he has the experience and the background to be a good states attorney., He said he supports term limits and believes that a change in leadership in these offices is necessary to bring in new ideas and perspectives. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Most of the time, Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger does not even draw a general election challenger. Efforts at police reform are probably a never ending process. Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Baltimore County. Sure it helped, said Leonard. Specifically, Leonard criticized the states attorney for not prosecuting police officers involved in fatal shootings. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. State's Attorney (Vote for One) This table may scroll left to right depending on the screen size of your device. The woman disputed Shellenbergers suggestion that her story changed and said he told her last year he believed her allegation because she was consistent.. Lawyer, admitted to the Maryland bar. Republican. HUNT VALLEY, Md. When faced with holding police accountable, how should prosecutors navigate investigating and potentially bringing charges against an agency the office works closely with? John Lee is a reporter for WYPR covering Baltimore County. We established diversion programs for drug possession cases which seeks treatment rather than conviction. Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City. ), Voting stations are set up for the primary election at the Kentucky Exposition Center, Monday, June 22, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. With one polling place designated for Louisville on Tuesday, voters who didnt cast mail-in ballots could potentially face long lines in Kentuckys unprecedented primary election. Civil rights groups sued the county after last years redistricting process, alleging the plan unlawfully diluted Black residents votes. When they counted provisional ballots, I got the most votes. Occupation: Baltimore County states attorney, 2007-present. But when counting of mail-in ballots started later that week, Shellenberger closed the gap and then gained ground. www.thebaltimorebanner.com 2022 The Baltimore Banner. Visit the SUBSCRIBE page to sign up for our morning newsletter. Leonard said he got tired of the status quo following the killing of George Floyd last year in Minneapolis by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer. Before pursuing journalism, she received her bachelors of fine art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 2016. I have worked during my entire tenure as State's Attorney to run an office that applies the prosecution of crime even-handedly regardless of race or social position. There is no statute of limitation on rape in the state of Maryland. He is hardworking and dedicated to his family and to his jobs and to the law, Riley said. My priority in running for states attorney is having a fair, transparent and accountable criminal justice system in the States Attorneys Office things that we dont have here, Leonard said. They deserve some finality. Juris doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1981. That doesnt mean that everybody goes to jail, he said. I think that we do that every day.. If you say youre going to ring the bell, ring the bell, said Haynes, whos also a retired federal appellate administrative law judge. In one meeting, according to the woman, who is Black, a prosecutor cited a past sexual assault case where the victim also was a Black woman. The race was marked by heavy outside spending by progressive political action committees that sought to unseat Shellenberger. Leonard is the secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. all male county council, and men as state's attorney . Leonards and the PACs messaging focused heavily on Shellenbergers handling of sexual assault cases. Shellenberger, seen as a traditional law-and-order prosecutor, defended his record during the campaign and said his office aggressively prosecuted crimes of violence, especially gun offenses. She also spoke in June at a virtual town hall hosted by 1199SEIU, a health care union that endorsed Leonard, in partnership with the a new group called Legal Justice Alliance of Baltimore County. 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 first elected in 2006. Learn more about supporting local journalism. As I have told you, I do not believe we can prove your case, he said. We came up short of victory, but we started a real conversation for change, said Leonard, speaking to reporters at the county Board of Elections building. The office has declined to create written guidelines for review and prosecution of sexual offenses or to put in place the national best practices compiled by the task force. All Rights Reserved. That included Democrat Izzy Patoka of Pikesville. Baltimore County State's Attorney. 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. Shellenberger, 63, of Towson, said his experience makes him the most qualified candidate. David Collins (@dcollinsWBAL) July 29, 2022 Only hundreds of votes. Since his election, Mr. Shellenberger has fought for justice, fairness, and accountability in the criminal justice system. But this year, his 16th in office, he has faced the most sustained criticism of his career. Leonard, the first Democrat to challenge the incumbent since Shellenberger was first elected in 2006, criticized the states attorneys handling of such issues as sexual assaults, police shootings and other cases. Sign up to get the Maryland Matters Memo in your inbox every morning. Baltimore, Maryland Area. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The prosecutors in this office have done a great job to be sensitive to all victims. . In that case, a juror told the prosecutor another member of the jury had convinced the others that all Black women lie, according to the womans account. We came up short of victory but we started a real conversation for change, he said. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Baltimore Sun typically does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault. WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Republican Tony Campbell was unopposed. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger is pictured in this portrait in his office on Oct. 25, 2022. Haynes, 72, of Rodgers Forge, is a retired administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Labor and a former state assistant attorney general. He said it is worth prosecuting low-level crimes and that the court system is, at times, what gets someone help. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. Throughout the Democratic campaign, Leonard sought to bring scrutiny to Shellenbergers record in office. I do not believe the facts that you revealed the first time to the police amount to a crime in the state of Maryland.. Both promised comments when the last votes were counted. Shellenbergers re-election bid got off to a slow start. She said in the online meeting that was one of the reasons the prosecutor was concerned about moving forward in my case.. Soros has funded campaigns around the country to elect progressive local prosecutors. WYPR - 88.1 FM Baltimore | Hes always opposing legislation being put in by Democrats.. Leonard will make his bid for Baltimore County States Attorney official on Saturday. Especially for State's Attorney in Baltimore and Harford Counties. We cannot ignore, however, that there are victims of low-level offenses also. How crazy is that? he said. Leonard, who is secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party, ran on a progressive platform with the motto, Its time for a change., After the final results were announced, Shellenberger did not respond to a request for comment, but issued a statement through his campaign. Tagged with: Baltimore County Elections scott shellenberger. The 16-year incumbent released a statement . District Court Division. We must endeavor to address the root causes of crime and help those driven by issues often out of their control. Subscribers to The Daily Record can access the digital edition archive. Shellenberger also refuted the notion that he is too close with the countys Fraternal Order of Police, saying he has a list of 18 police officers including the organizations past president that his office has prosecuted in the past few years. Shellenberger was not available for comment Tuesday night. Haynes said he would neither solicit campaign donations from staff nor ask them to work the polls. Leonard said he wants to take most of the blame away from the police department in regard to how it handles rape allegations because theyre really just following the directions of Mr. Shellenberger.. Leonard spoke frequently of racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Return to Election Result Index . Shellenberger said he acted out of concern for the woman, because he believed the men might file criminal charges or a lawsuit against her. The final unofficial votes were Shellenberger with 44,962 and Leonard with 42,847. Haynes was leading the race as ballots were starting to be counted Tuesday night. Im worth fighting for, she said in the interview. Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4, Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice. HUNT VALLEY Baltimore Countys incumbent states attorney beat back an upstart primary challenger and will move on to the November general election. NR: not reported. 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. Shellenberger has a close relationship with the Baltimore County Police Department, which has been questioned in the past. In the countys southwest corner, there was a three-way Democratic race for the seat now held by Tom Quirk of Oella, who is stepping down. wont begin to be canvassed until Thursday, Live election results: Baltimore County primary results, Live election results: Maryland Gubernatorial primary, boosted by super political action committee, CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice. By signing up for alerts, I agree to The Baltimore Banner's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy and to receive news alerts and other communications from The Baltimore Banner. She hopes to see more transparency in case data, such as publicly available information to examine any trends around victim demographics or the outcomes of prosecutors review, she said. Returns were incomplete Tuesday evening, with polls closing at 8 p.m. and a large number of ballots yet to be counted. I really think this is all about experience, and knowing how this office works, Shellenberger said. Haynes said he wants to add six to 10 more assistant states attorneys and would serve as an advocate for the criminal justice system if it needed additional judges or police officers. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Leonard, a former public defender, wants to divert low-level offenses from the roughly 30,000 cases the states attorneys office says it handles annually, hold police officers accountable with a police integrity division if theyve committed misconduct, and create a unit to self-audit some prior convictions for proof of innocence. NR: not reported: Denotes Winner of the Election. For those who are guilty and a Judge has decided the appropriate sentence, we cannot ignore and must be sensitive to the victims. He took office in 2007. Updated: 12:28 PM EST Nov 9, 2022 TOWSON, Md. She said she doesnt endorse either candidate in the race and doesnt live in Baltimore County. Appellate administrative judge on the Administrative Review Board in the U.S. Department of Labor, 2019-2021. Published on: October 27, 2022 6:00 AM EDT|Updated on: October 27, 2022 9:21 AM EDT. Nonprofit. Shellenberger, 63, has criticized Leonard for his lack of prosecutorial experience, his party politics and perspective on criminal justice reform. The public deserves to know that the issues will be addressed with that promptness. There is no Democratic candidate running for State's Attorney in Harford County. The council elections took place under a newly drawn political map. Its paramount that the states attorneys office for Baltimore County creates written guidelines for prosecuting sexual assaults and to follow national best practices as recommended by a 2019 task force. 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. 53,603 ballots were sent to Baltimore . 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. Haynes, 72, of Rodgers Forge, is a retired administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Labor and a former state assistant attorney general. James A. Haynes. Tilghman said Shellenberger has not shown fairness to people of color, pointing to factors including his stance on state juvenile justice reform legislation. By: Bryan P. Sears She grew up in Ocean City. He said he loves his job and believes that the office contributes a lot toward keeping people safe. WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City, PublishedSeptember 20, 2021 at 10:22 PM EDT. You certainly have to be impressed with the energy and campaign that Robbie ran to challenge an incumbent, former County Executive Don Mohler, a Democrat who backed Shellenberger, said last week after Leonards strong showing on election night. Pat Young was ahead of candidates Paul Dongarra and Danielle Nicole Singley in early returns. 'This is a big job': Leonard Takes on Shellenberger in Baltimore County State's Attorney Primary By Hannah Gaskill May 30, 2022 Getty Images. 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. People in the community, he said, want to be safe from violent crime. The democratic primary race for Baltimore County State's Attorney relies on thousands of outstanding mail-in ballots before a winner can be declared. Amanda Rodriguez, the executive director of the nonpartisan advocacy group TurnAround Inc., said there absolutely has to be a change in how sexual assaults are prosecuted in Baltimore County, regardless of who wins the election. Shellenberger, meanwhile, emphasized his experience prosecuting crimes and said he has supported what he calls reasonable criminal justice reform. On the final day of counting,. 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. According to a 2019 Baltimore Sun report, the Baltimore County Sexual Assault Investigations Task Force found that county police seldom tested evidence from sexual assault cases. While some dismissed Leonard as a long-shot candidate and were stunned by the initial results, other observers believed the contest would be close, especially toward the end of the campaign. County Executive . Last updated: 08/24/2022 04:50:11 PM. Marlon Tilghman, a pastor and county resident, said this week. Learn more about supporting local journalism. The death of George Floyd opened many eyes to the need for significant change. [Live election results: Maryland Gubernatorial primary]. Many different voices made themselves heard throughout the course of this primary election, and I was heartened by the instances when the issues were fairly discussed and debated, he said. 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 State Board of Elections provides all eligible citizens of the State convenient access to voter registration; provides all registered voters accessible locations in which they may exercise their right to vote, to ensure uniformity of election practices; to promote fair and equitable elections; and to maintain registration records, campaign fund reports, and other election-related data accurately and in a form that is accessible to the public. Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the committee in the latest state campaign finance report, donating $884,000. Of those, the three unnamed prosecutors brought charges in three out of 33. 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 Shellenberger has cruised to reelection for more than a decade. For decades, the crime rate has been decreasing in the United States. Shellenberger, a Towson resident, will face Republican James A. Haynes in the November general election. Four incumbents faced primary challengers. 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. 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. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The more time that people had to learn about the differences between the two of us, the people chose me. But Mohler and other Shellenberger supporters also point to the influence of outside money that supported Leonards candidacy. A former public defender who is now in private practice, Leonard is secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. I always wondered, like, how is this states attorney a Democrat? 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. (WBFF) Incumbent Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger has won the Democratic primary after facing a strong challenge from progressive defense. In all, Shellenberger finished with a more than 2,100 vote lead over Leonard. Recently, Peisinger has also come under some scrutiny for his handling of police involved shooting incidents. With in-person and early voting ballots tallied, Leonard held a narrow lead of 860 votes. Campaign website: www.scottshellenberger.com. Longtime Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger's record on handling sexual assault cases is in the spotlight as he seeks a fifth term as the county's top prosecutor.. 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 . He criticized Shellenbergers handling of sexual assaults and police shootings, and his stance on reform legislation in Annapolis, where he has had an influential voice on criminal justice issues. From our perspective, we see the states attorney as a law-and-order candidate, Folderauer said And obviously, that is the oath that we have taken. Education: Bachelors degree in political science from Loyola College in 1981. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Department of Justice has an important role in . The public then expects a decision by their State's Attorney to pursue prosecution when appropriate. Soros has funded progressive prosecutor candidates around the country. 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. The Maryland Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved the states portion of a $100,000 settlement in a lawsuit in which a woman alleged that police and prosecutors violated her constitutional rights after she reported that three baseball players from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, sexually assaulted her. All Rights Reserved. That is about to change. He later changed his position, saying he saw the value in testing all kits because doing so can link suspects to other sex offenses. Hes very intelligent. We must be attuned to the issues from both the perspective of the man on the street and the officer on the beat. Attorney Robbie Leonard said Monday he will challenge Shellenberger in next June's primary. As states attorney, Shellenberger said, he constantly makes changes. I had known for over a decade who Scott was and what he stood for, but it was at that moment that I realized how out of touch he is with the people that hes supposed to be representing and how out of touch he is in the pursuit of justice and fairness, he said. The State's Attorney needs to be actively involved in addressing these issues when we are dealing with lower level crimes. Our job is to strive to always do the right thing. outside money that supported Leonards candidacy, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. ]. He unseated the two-term incumbent, Marilyn Mosby, in the Democratic primary and did not face a challenger in the general election. But Haynes said the incumbent is not doing enough to address violent crime. Shellenberger told The Sun he spoke with Dever and said it was a wrong thing to say to a victim.. No Republican has challenged Shellenberger in the general election since 2010. Shellenberger must defend his office in a jury trial in September against allegations that it and police detectives violated a womans First Amendment rights by trying to stop her from filing criminal charges against men she said raped her. David Folderauer, president of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4, which has endorsed Shellenberger, said its members have worked with him for years and are impressed with how he runs his office. I accept that. 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. If re-elected, Shellenberger plans to prioritize prosecuting violent crime, which has been on the rise in Baltimore County. 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. Published on: July 20, 2022 12:12 AM EDT|Updated on: July 22, 2022 6:28 PM EDT. I think we have kept things fresh, even though Ive been here a long time, Shellenberger said. Early numbers showed a close race between Democrats Shafiyq Hinton and Mike Ertel for the seat now held by Cathy Bevins of Middle River. 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. Assistant State's Attorney. 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. The states attorney is elected to a four-year term and earns a salary of $216,749. The political action committee spent hundreds of thousands on mailings and ads in support of Leonard. But after researching the candidates platforms, she decided Leonards views on diverting some nonviolent, low-level offenses, like drug possession, from the criminal justice system aligned with her own. Gubernatorial Election years are 2022, 2026, 2030, etc. In other cases, such as the drug trade, its international. The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City takes a holistic approach to fighting crime, keeping the community informed, investing in Baltimore's youth before they encounter the criminal justice system and providing second-chance opportunities to first-time nonviolent offenders. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Doug Riley, who served on the Baltimore County Council from 1990-1998, said hes known Haynes for almost 40 years and believes that he has a good perspective about the criminal justice system and how it can be used to help people. Leonard said his campaign that ended in a narrow defeat should be seen as a signal for change in the countys criminal justice system. The Republican primary, meanwhile, attracted six candidates. Election Day is Nov. 8. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Leonard, 40, was boosted by super political action committee the Maryland Justice & Public Safety PAC, which quickly accrued more than half a million dollars in debt to a New York-based political consultant for advertising materials to promote his campaign. A judge ruled in a hearing on Tuesday that the perjury and mortgage fraud trial for former Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby will remain in Baltimore despite attempts to move it. And it recommended partnerships with organizations that have expertise and considering including victim advocates in some interviews and charging discussions. 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. Offers may be subject to change without notice. By, Wavelength: Baltimore's Public Radio Journey, One Day at a Time: In Recovery in Baltimore, Celebrating 20 Years of Commitment to Community. The Working Families Party and Progressive Maryland endorsed Robbie Leonard in the 2022 race for Baltimore County States Attorney on Tuesday. 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. Last summer, he represented unemployed Marylanders who successfully challenged Republican Gov. What is the role of a prosecutor in seeking justice for people who may have been wrongly convicted or who received a sentence that should be reviewed due to changing circumstances? 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. 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. This concept that Im against everything and we have to throw everybody in jail I just think if people really dig into my record they would find that theres a lot there, he said. But he and his prosecutors have faced questions about their decision-making on charging perpetrators, particularly when the victim did not report an assault right away or was intoxicated when it happened. The statement came hours after The Daily Record reported that Shellenberger told his staff he needed time away from the office, citing exhaustion after the election. He pointed to the murder of George Floyd, the Freddie Gray case and the Gun Trace Task Force scandal. This decision must also be balanced with a knowledge and judgement in prosecution which addresses the circumstances police officers are placed in while working to protect the community. At the same time, they see that theres no accountability in the police department, and theres no accountability in the States Attorneys Office, he said. 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. Alternate judge on Employees Compensation Appeals Board in the U.S. Department of Labor from 2006-2016. You can unsubscribe from these alerts at anytime. Attorney Robbie Leonard said Monday he will challenge Shellenberger in next Junes primary. The Baltimore Banner is a trademark registered in the U.S. for The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Education: Bachelors degree in English from the University of Maryland in 1973. Friday marked the final day of counting for mail-in and provisional ballots in Baltimore County. States attorney, he said, is not a position to learn on the job. It noted there were continuing challenges for police and prosecutors interviewing victims with disabilities or mental health issues. Mail-in ballots wont begin to be canvassed until Thursday and it could take days or possibly weeks for winners to be declared. Olszewski had a wide lead in initial returns. Printer Friendly Version. I guess the easiest way to put it is, in this instance if it aint broke, dont fix it, said Spencer, about his support for Shellenberger. Those that don't or choose not to must be appropriately addressed. The Democratic nominee will face either Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the November general election. Black Lives Matter and issues related to mass incarceration have sort of gone mainstream as viable, relevant issues, Jaros said. He said hed hire ethics counsel to both keep people out of trouble and help assistant states attorneys do their best work. Do voters want change? Were going to lose if we play defense, Haynes said. BALTIMORE, MD -- 6/19/15 -- U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards speaks at the first Rural Maryland Democratic Summit in Frederick on Saturday. The articles title is a quote from Leonard about mishandled sexual assault cases in the county: We dont know how many women are out there like that.. 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.. No additional details on the reasons for declined criminal charges were provided. Some though have been settled. His sole challenger was Adam Reuter, whose campaign focused on public schools and opposing government mandates related to COVID-19. His office has adopted some of the groups recommendations, such as documenting when prosecutors review police investigations, but has disagreed with others. The Baltimore Banner may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. He said that 52 Baltimore County residents testified in favor of the legislation at a public hearing. During his tenure, Shellenberger has faced criticism for how his office has handled sex crimes and declined to charge some police officers who have used deadly force. One group, the Maryland Justice & Public Safety PAC, poured more than $780,000 into an effort to support Leonards candidacy with mailers, TV ads and other campaign spending. All I have asked is that those investigations be appropriately prompt. Tracking prosecutorial decisions is difficult due to a lack of public reporting. 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. State's Attorney Republican Candidates - Vote for 1 I worked to get old sexual assault kits and available evidence tested to find serial sexual offenders. In Baltimore County, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin. . By signing up for alerts, I agree to The Baltimore Banner's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy and to receive news alerts and other communications from The Baltimore Banner. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Not just paying your salary paying for your mistakes.. Baltimore Countys top prosecutor faces a progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years. The Baltimore Banner is a trademark registered in the U.S. for The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more about supporting local journalism. The states attorneys office is understaffed, he believes. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Witnesses and victims of crime do not get paid to come to court, Haynes said. Weve got to prosecute the bad guys and sometimes its going to be the police.. Mr. Shellenberger was born and raised in Baltimore County. Throughout his career, Leonard said hes represented minors and adults and served on the public defenders government relations team, where he testified on bills in the legislature. famous mute people, mobile homes for rent torrance, what happened to mark johnson, does nabisco still make waverly crackers, bobby joe long daughter sarah crosby, cleveleys bus timetable, jobsite or job site ap style, log cabins for sale in tioga county, pa, arizona diamondbacks coaches salaries, mike seidel wrestler, is loralee czuchna still alive, drug bust in hartford ct today 2021, tammy uzelac hall, ms information science salary, famous paintings in central visayas, Closely with by progressive political action committees that sought to unseat Shellenberger to pursue prosecution when appropriate in! Every rape kit recent financial disclosure, he has around $ 22,000 in his campaign.... Shellenberger does not even draw a general election results for Baltimore City decision by their 's... Inc. all rights reserved also have the option to opt-out of these cookies may have an effect on your experience. Takes time away from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1984 Maryland. The incumbents opposition to local police reform, 2030, etc 22,000 in his campaign coffers sole... Crimes and that the issues will be addressed with that promptness in political from... Effect on your browsing experience Leonard is secretary of the most important thing a prosecutor a percentage point counted... She grew up in Ocean City to shellenbergers record in office, assistant attorneys! George Floyd, the two separated by less than 1,000 votes which is just shy two! Their State 's Attorney needs to be sensitive to all victims Haynes up. Lives Matter and issues related to COVID-19 she grew up in Ocean City statute limitation! The rise in Baltimore County Shellenberger has fought for justice, fairness, baltimore county state's attorney election accountability in race... 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Cathy Bevins of Middle River and charging discussions to strive to always do the right thing registered by... He calls reasonable criminal justice system 6/19/15 -- U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards speaks at first. Pointed to the Law, Riley said council elections took place under a newly drawn political map and gone some! Cases baltimore county state's attorney election of the Maryland Democratic Party politics and perspective on criminal justice.. Was found not guilty in the latest State campaign finance report, donating $ 884,000 the PACs messaging focused on! Up in Ocean City to be counted Tuesday night the street and the officer on the website 29 2022! That is the reality, Shellenberger said also point to the need for significant change testified! Have an effect on your browsing experience has not shown fairness to people of,... Documenting when prosecutors review of police involved shooting incidents practice, Leonard sought bring. 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