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. As I have told you, I do not believe we can prove your case, he said. After the recommendations from the countys latest task force on sexual assaults, the group did a follow-up audit in 2021 to measure improvements or lingering problems. Baltimore Sun Media's voter guide allows candidates to provide their background, policy and platforms on issues, in their own words. 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. Past experience: Law clerk from 1982-1985 in the Baltimore County States Attorneys Office, assistant states attorney from 1985-1993. We have, I believe, balanced the issues of prosecution and public safety very carefully, Shellenberger said. Shellenberger, 63, of Towson, said his experience makes him the most qualified candidate. 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. Vote-counting stretched on for more than a week because of the large number of mail-in ballots cast in Marylands primary election. Additionally, it found three prosecutors were consulted on the most cases, of the 56 the audit examined that named a prosecutor. Of those, the three unnamed prosecutors brought charges in three out of 33. A federal judge blocked the county from using its initial map and later accepted a revised version. Alternate judge on Employees Compensation Appeals Board in the U.S. Department of Labor from 2006-2016. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Daily Record Government Reporter 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. Returns were. We came up short of victory but we started a real conversation for change, he said. (AP Photo/Piper Blackburn). Learn more about supporting local journalism. The Democratic nominee will face either Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the November general election. Had we sent that mailer two weeks earlier, I probably would have walked away the victor. No additional details on the reasons for declined criminal charges were provided. After the Maryland Justice & Public Safety PACs financial support was disclosed, the incumbent said hed heard from voters who didnt think a billionaire who doesnt live in Baltimore County should be telling us who the states attorney should be, referring to George Soros, who pumps money into the national Justice & Public Safety PAC and dozens of similarly-named groups that support reformist candidates in local chief prosecutors races across the U.S. Baltimore Banner reporters Taji Burris and Sophie Kasakove contributed to this article. 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. 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. Recently, Peisinger has also come under some scrutiny for his handling of police involved shooting incidents. Shellenberger also said Leonards out-of-state support was troubling. 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. 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. 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. 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. He said that 52 Baltimore County residents testified in favor of the legislation at a public hearing. The world has changed a lot in the last four years, Jaros said. 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. [Live election results: Maryland Gubernatorial primary]. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The race got heated between former state delegate Pat McDonough and Darren Badillo, an auto sales manager and deacon at Rosedale Baptist Church. The PAC filed in mid-June and its spending, only related to Leonards campaign, far outmatched what either candidate raised throughout the primary. For the first time in a decade, Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger (D) will have a Republican opponent to campaign against if he can beat Robbie Leonard (D) in the 2022 primary election. When they counted provisional ballots, I got the most votes. 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. 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. 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? She grew up in Ocean City. Shellenberger painted Leonard, who has never been a prosecutor, as unprepared for the office. We need a change, Leonard said. I really think this is all about experience, and knowing how this office works, Shellenberger said. He unseated the two-term incumbent, Marilyn Mosby, in the Democratic primary and did not face a challenger in the general election. Last updated: 08/24/2022 04:50:11 PM. Review of sentences is another issue. Republican. Shellenberger said he intended to help the woman and did not want the men to sue her for claims such as false arrest. He ran on a progressive platform and portrayed Shellenberger as out of step with todays Democrats on issues such as police reform. [A top prosecutor told the task force in 2021 the office had faith in our ability to pull on our experiences within the office as to how to handle any particular investigation, and said prosecutors have a significant amount of experience and knowledge in sex offense prosecution.]. Those that don't or choose not to must be appropriately addressed. It is also crucial to examine policy outcomes to make them race-neutral.. Republican Tony Campbell was unopposed. You can unsubscribe from these alerts at anytime. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The political action committee spent hundreds of thousands on mailings and ads in support of Leonard. Shellenberger received 44,962 votes or 51% compared to Leonard's 42,847 votes, 49%. Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City. The 16-year incumbent released a statement . 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. The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City accepts applications on a rolling basis for membership into the Honors Law Clerk Program. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.s attempt to end an enhanced federal benefit program early. All I have asked is that those investigations be appropriately prompt. 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.. Haynes led the primary Tuesday night. ), 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. He took office in 2007. The voters of Baltimore County deserve that change. Especially for State's Attorney in Baltimore and Harford Counties. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Baltimore County's four-term State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger usually runs for reelection uncontested every four years. Baltimore County State's Attorney. [Live election results: Baltimore County primary results]. According to his most recent financial disclosure, he has around $22,000 in his campaign coffers. He said his office now requires more documentation about its decisions to approve or decline charges in similar cases. No point in refreshing my browser window all night long when I could be catching some Zs, he said. www.thebaltimorebanner.com 2022 The Baltimore Banner. 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. Prosecutors had declined to take the case, but the woman tried to pursue charges on her own through the court commissioner. We cannot ignore, however, that there are victims of low-level offenses also. Crime, he said, is regional. 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. 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. Find Maryland Election Campaign & Political lawyers, attorneys, law firms - MD Election Campaign & Political Lawyers What is the most pressing issue facing the county's State's Attorney's office? When faced with holding police accountable, how should prosecutors navigate investigating and potentially bringing charges against an agency the office works closely with? Shellenbergers primary win comes as he takes time away from the office. 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 public deserves to know that the issues will be addressed with that promptness. 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. Early numbers showed a very tight race, with the two separated by a fraction of a percentage point. 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. . 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. Rodriguez, who has been working as an advocate for the woman who confronted Shellenberger, said the reasoning for why prosecutors arent moving forward has been inconsistent. Rodriguez is a former prosecutor in Shellenbergers office and said she would have brought criminal charges against the womans attacker, based on the facts of the case. . State's Attorney (Vote for One) This table may scroll left to right depending on the screen size of your device. Shellenberger said he acted out of concern for the woman, because he believed the men might file criminal charges or a lawsuit against her. - 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. Tracking prosecutorial decisions is difficult due to a lack of public reporting. News you can trust. 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. How crazy is that? he said. Campaign website: www.scottshellenberger.com. Cox initially said he would offer some comment but left without speaking to reporters after the results were announced. With roughly 35,000 Baltimore County ballots yet to be counted, the Democratic primary for state's attorney was extremely close Tuesday night, with hundreds of votes separating attorney and Maryland Democratic Party Secretary Robbie Leonard and longtime incumbent Scott Shellenberger. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Lawyer, admitted to the Maryland bar. 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. 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.. That included Democrat Izzy Patoka of Pikesville. Shellenberger opposed the legislation. Shellenbergers re-election bid got off to a slow start. 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. He announced in May that he is running for a fifth term. Olszewski had a wide lead in initial returns. 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. This is accomplished by the existence of a thorough and impartial investigation. With in-person and early voting ballots tallied, Leonard held a narrow lead of 860 votes. Campaign website: www.haynesforbaltimorecounty.com, www.thebaltimorebanner.com 2022 The Baltimore Banner. Some female voters told The Baltimore Sun during the campaign that issues related to sexual assault were why they supported Leonard. Acie Spencer, 55, said he voted for Shellenberger and other incumbents who he says have run their offices effectively. WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick 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 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. I have fought over all my years as State's Attorney to be responsive to all victims. 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. Were the law and order portion of the criminal justice system., We have seen their office be fair in how they prosecute cases and defer cases, if necessary, through community service versus a criminal prosecution, he added. 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