53,603 ballots were sent to Baltimore . Rogers Forge, Baltimore County. 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. The prosecutors in this office have done a great job to be sensitive to all victims. He has also called for an audit to examine possible racial disparities in charging decisions. Then there is the GOP Primary battle for Harford County State's Attorney. outside money that supported Leonards candidacy, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Appellate administrative judge on the Administrative Review Board in the U.S. Department of Labor, 2019-2021. It appears that this has been accomplished. By: Bryan P. Sears 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. 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. 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. 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. Shellenberger said he has tried to run his office in a nonpolitical way. 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. Campaign website: www.haynesforbaltimorecounty.com, www.thebaltimorebanner.com 2022 The Baltimore Banner. (AP Photo/Piper Blackburn). (Ex: Low-level drug offenses vs. violent crimes with victims, etc.). Published on: July 20, 2022 12:12 AM EDT|Updated on: July 22, 2022 6:28 PM EDT. In other cases, such as the drug trade, its international. Throughout the Democratic campaign, Leonard sought to bring scrutiny to Shellenbergers record in office. July 29, 2022. Scott Shellenberger won the Baltimore County States Attorney's race according to Baltimore Co Bd of Elections. Some female voters told The Baltimore Sun during the campaign that issues related to sexual assault were why they supported Leonard. With the limits on resources with which I am provided, that is where my priorities will be. So what we learned in this campaignwe just have to start earlier in making that contrast between the candidates. Additionally, it found three prosecutors were consulted on the most cases, of the 56 the audit examined that named a prosecutor. Education: Bachelors degree in English from the University of Maryland in 1973. The woman disputed Shellenbergers suggestion that her story changed and said he told her last year he believed her allegation because she was consistent.. 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. No additional details on the reasons for declined criminal charges were provided. The world has changed a lot in the last four years, Jaros said. Civil rights groups sued the county after last years redistricting process, alleging the plan unlawfully diluted Black residents votes. 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. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The public then expects a decision by their State's Attorney to pursue prosecution when appropriate. Leonard, 40, was the first Democrat to go up against Shellenberger, 63, since the incumbent was elected in 2006. This is not a place to learn on the job.. Retired from the US Department of Labor as Appellate . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Baltimore Countys top prosecutor faces a progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years. 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.. That is about to change. His sole challenger was Adam Reuter, whose campaign focused on public schools and opposing government mandates related to COVID-19. All rights reserved. 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. 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. But Haynes said the incumbent is not doing enough to address violent crime. BALTIMORE Although the Primary Election has come and gone, some races have yet to be called. Published on: October 27, 2022 6:00 AM EDT|Updated on: October 27, 2022 9:21 AM EDT. Haynes, 72, of Towson, said he has practiced in circuit courts throughout the state as well as briefed and argued cases before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and the Maryland Court of Appeals. In all, Shellenberger finished with a more than 2,100 vote lead over Leonard. 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. Four incumbents faced primary challengers. One Republican, Al Nalley, ran unopposed. Past experience: Law clerk from 1982-1985 in the Baltimore County States Attorneys Office, assistant states attorney from 1985-1993. State's Attorney (Vote for One) This table may scroll left to right depending on the screen size of your device. He said low-level offenses should be diverted out of the criminal justice system to preserve resources for violent crime, and vowed not to prosecute cases of marijuana possession for personal use. . Campaign website: www.scottshellenberger.com. Leonard spoke frequently of racial disparities in the criminal justice system. In Gubernatorial Election years, Baltimore County voters will elect the following: Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Comptroller; Attorney General; U.S. Representative (every two years) State Senators; State Delegates; County Executive; County Council; Judges of the Circuit Court (if vacancy exists) A civil trial is scheduled for September. 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. It noted there were continuing challenges for police and prosecutors interviewing victims with disabilities or mental health issues. 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. At the end of the day, Robbie garnered so much support because so many people supported his vision, Rev. Haynes was leading the race as ballots were starting to be counted Tuesday night. We have, I believe, balanced the issues of prosecution and public safety very carefully, Shellenberger said. The Baltimore Banner may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Haynes described Baltimore County as sort of a regional firewall that can improve the safety of people in the city and surrounding counties if it arrests and convicts criminals. Some though have been settled. 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. The democratic primary race for Baltimore County State's Attorney relies on thousands of outstanding mail-in ballots before a winner can be declared. 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). He is hardworking and dedicated to his family and to his jobs and to the law, Riley said. 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. Shellenberger told The Sun he spoke with Dever and said it was a wrong thing to say to a victim.. Printer Friendly Version. 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. . an audit to examine possible racial disparities. Returns were. 72. Both promised comments when the last votes were counted. 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 . Daily Record Government Reporter We need a change, Leonard said. Now the Democratic incumbent will have a Republican challenger, and that's only if he can win the contested Democratic primary. 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.. NR: not reported: Denotes Winner of the Election. 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. Learn more about supporting local journalism. Mail-in ballots wont begin to be canvassed until Thursday and it could take days or possibly weeks for winners to be declared. 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. The strength of Leonards candidacy, I think, suggests that the public has an appetite for criminal justice reform.. He said hed like to post information about the office and its results as a measure of transparency on the website. Pausing on her way to drop off a ballot at Stoneleigh Elementary School, West Towson resident Ilaina Clement, 62, said she voted for Leonard because she supports his positions on criminal justice reform. Attorney Robbie Leonard said Monday he will challenge Shellenberger in next June's primary. 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. He is a graduate of Loch Raven High School, Loyola College and the University of Baltimore School of Law. 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. NR: not reported. 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. Shellenberger opposed the legislation. A former public defender who is now in private practice, Leonard is secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. John Lee is a reporter for WYPR covering Baltimore County. The final unofficial votes were Shellenberger with 44,962 and Leonard with 42,847. Assistant State's Attorney. He was ahead as votes started to be counted Tuesday night. Riley said he helped the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee recruit Haynes to run and agreed to serve as the chairperson of his campaign. We just work cooperatively toward that goal.. 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. McDonough faces a misdemeanor theft charge in connection with allegations he stole a Badillo campaign sign in Parkville. Alternate judge on Employees Compensation Appeals Board in the U.S. Department of Labor from 2006-2016. Baltimore County State's Attorney. Some observers questioned the lackluster effort as Leonard rallied a grassroots progressive primary challenge to Shellenberger. By, Wavelength: Baltimore's Public Radio Journey, One Day at a Time: In Recovery in Baltimore, Celebrating 20 Years of Commitment to Community. 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. Were not going to say, Well, its a stalemate. But Mohler and other Shellenberger supporters also point to the influence of outside money that supported Leonards candidacy. Republican Tony Campbell was unopposed. [Baltimore Countys top prosecutor faces a progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years. . 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. Especially for State's Attorney in Baltimore and Harford Counties. 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. WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick Shellenberger is of the mindset that all laws should be enforced. 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. If Leonard clinches the Democratic nomination, hell have ousted one of the most prominent voices on law enforcement and criminal justice in Annapolis. Leonard is the secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. We came up short of victory but we started a real conversation for change, he said. Only Shellenberger and the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in opposition, according to Leonard. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Republican. Return to Election Result Index . The Legislature has decided that when the circumstances involve the death of an individual, that investigation will be by investigators attached to the Attorney General's Office. He plans to hold a rally in Patriots Plaza in Towson at 2 p.m. WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore 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. Patoka had a large lead in early returns, as did other council members who faced primary challengers: Republicans Todd Crandell of Dundalk, Wade Kach of Cockesyville, and David Marks of Perry Hall. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. For example, many people are required to get drug treatment during probation. 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. all male county council, and men as state's attorney . The effort attracted the attention of outside organizations including groups connected to billionaire George Soros. We cannot ignore, however, that there are victims of low-level offenses also. Shellenberger has a close relationship with the Baltimore County Police Department, which has been questioned in the past. 'This is a big job': Leonard Takes on Shellenberger in Baltimore County State's Attorney Primary By Hannah Gaskill May 30, 2022 Getty Images. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The Republican candidates are James Haynes, a retired attorney who previously worked as an administrative judge for the U.S. Department of Labor and at the state attorney general and public defender offices, and Deborah Hill, who has represented state employee retirees in a lawsuit challenging a reduction in their prescription drug benefits. 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. As states attorney, Haynes said, hed scrutinize plea agreements and make sure that assistant states attorneys were not offering them because they were unprepared for trial or lacked resources. Early numbers showed a very tight race, with the two separated by a fraction of a percentage point. 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. We established diversion programs for drug possession cases which seeks treatment rather than conviction. I do not believe the facts that you revealed the first time to the police amount to a crime in the state of Maryland.. And its not OK for the states attorneys office to turn their back on their sworn oath.. The voters of Baltimore County deserve that change. He said his office now requires more documentation about its decisions to approve or decline charges in similar cases. Since his election, Mr. Shellenberger has fought for justice, fairness, and accountability in the criminal justice system. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, some scrutiny for his handling of police involved shooting incidents. 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. Theres a point at which you get out of the process. Leonard portrayed Shellenberger as out of step with todays Democrats, someone who hadnt changed with the times. Law Clerks are assigned to work in one of the trial units. Were going to lose if we play defense, Haynes said. Mr. Shellenberger was born and raised in Baltimore County. Quirk called the PACs ad campaign character assassination that influenced the race and said, Scott has always done his job very professionally.. No one thought we could take on a 16-year incumbent but look what we accomplished, said Leonard. And the voters of Baltimore County deserve that change.. He faces a federal lawsuit alleging he and others in his office violated a different womans constitutional rights when she sought to press charges. 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 . Haynes, 72, of Rodgers Forge, is a retired administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Labor and a former state assistant attorney general. Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4, Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice. Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for Baltimore County. 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. Leonard said that transparency and accountability mean prosecuting violent crimes where theres actual victims not quality of life offenses, like charges that stem from poverty or drug use. All Rights Reserved. The council elections took place under a newly drawn political map. He described that practice as unprofessional, stating that its wrong to mix public service with considerations of political loyalty. He said at the time that law enforcement has limited resources, and often a rape suspects identity is not in question because the victim and perpetrator know each other. He was also given the Gun Sense Candidate distinction from Moms Demand Action to End Gun Violence. Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the committee in the latest state campaign finance report, donating $884,000. The 16-year incumbent released a statement . I am absolutely committed to that. Return to Election Result Index . Specifically, Leonard criticized the states attorney for not prosecuting police officers involved in fatal shootings. 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. Both Shellenberger and Leonard have declined to discuss the changes in vote totals over the last week of counting. Were one of the only large counties to certify its elections today, said County Elections Director Ruie Lavoie. Leonard will make his bid for Baltimore County States Attorney official on Saturday. He said he believes that a comment that he made at a forum about the homicide rate being relatively stable has been misconstrued. The Department of Justice has an important role in . It appears incumbent Democratic Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger could lose his seat to well funded progressive challenger Robbie Leonard. 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? 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. Incumbent Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger, left, a Democrat, and Jim Haynes, right, a Republican, are running against each other. 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. Election Day is Nov. 8. 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. The death of George Floyd opened many eyes to the need for significant change. If you say youre going to ring the bell, ring the bell, said Haynes, whos also a retired federal appellate administrative law judge. The Incumbent there, Albert Peisinger is also on the verge of being ousted. 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. The results ahead of Monday's. The Democratic nominee will face either Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the November general election. 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.
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