He is what youve seen: Hes a man of great character. Mail-in ballots wont begin to be canvassed until Thursday and it could take days or possibly weeks for winners to be declared. He took office in 2007. Robbie Leonard, an attorney in private practice who is challenging Shellenberger in Tuesdays Democratic primary, said that if elected, he would want to improve trauma-informed strategies used by staff and attorneys who communicate with victims, and to collaborate with groups that advocate for survivors. Shellenbergers tactic is to lean on the justice system. -- Two big races played out on Election Day in Baltimore County in 2022. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. Leonard said that incarceration for drug offenses and prostitution doesnt work. State's Attorney (Vote for One) This table may scroll left to right depending on the screen size of your device. He was ahead as votes started to be counted Tuesday night. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Subscribers to Maryland Family Law Update can access the digital edition archive. Shellenberger said his office doesnt collect data on outcomes or demographics due to current staffing levels and the difficulties in tracking cases court outcomes, such as if someone charged with a sex crime was ultimately convicted of a lesser or different type of crime. The Maryland PAC is affiliated with the national Justice & Public Safety PAC, which has helped fund progressive prosecutor candidates in Virginia and Pennsylvania in recent years. NR: not reported: Denotes Winner of the Election. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. In all, Shellenberger finished with a more than 2,100 vote lead over Leonard. I accept that. Shellenberger: 30,449 Leonard: 29,531 There remains 28,000 more mail-in ballots to process that Baltimore. Visit the SUBSCRIBE page to sign up for our morning newsletter. 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. County Executive . He also wants to examine the juvenile justice system. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Haynes has called himself a political outsider.. The more time that people had to learn about the differences between the two of us, the people chose me. Hannah Gaskill received her masters of journalism degree in December 2019 from the University of Maryland. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. James A. Haynes. Friday marked the final day of counting for mail-in and provisional ballots in Baltimore County. Leonard agreed that crime needs to be addressed and that residents feel unsafe. Leonard will make his bid for Baltimore County States Attorney official on Saturday. Their analysis of a random sampling of 2020 cases found positive steps on the police end of investigations: Fewer cases were being closed as unfounded and nearly all included the testing of rape kits. I dont find that acceptable, but that is the reality, Shellenberger said. 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. Leonard conceded about 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. His office has adopted some of the groups recommendations, such as documenting when prosecutors review police investigations, but has disagreed with others. Marlon Tilghman, a pastor and county resident, said this week. 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. I will continue to fight to get more resources to properly fund an office which can address all crime. The police department shrugs off and blows off so many claims of rape and sexual assault because they know that theres no point in arresting someone because Mr. Shellenberger is just going to dismiss the case, he alleged. Published on: October 27, 2022 6:00 AM EDT|Updated on: October 27, 2022 9:21 AM EDT. Pat Young was ahead of candidates Paul Dongarra and Danielle Nicole Singley in early returns. Juris doctor from University of Baltimore of School of Law in 1984. 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. She grew up in Ocean City. Printer Friendly Version. In response, Shellenberger noted that killings are down, with 22 in 2022 compared to 42 at this time in 2021. Leonard, 40, was the first Democrat to go up against Shellenberger, 63, since the incumbent was elected in 2006. Sign up to get the Maryland Matters Memo in your inbox every morning. The PAC filed in mid-June and its spending, only related to Leonards campaign, far outmatched what either candidate raised throughout the primary. He is a graduate of Loch Raven High School, Loyola College and the University of Baltimore School of Law. 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. 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. No additional details on the reasons for declined criminal charges were provided. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Republican Tony Campbell was unopposed. 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. Law Clerks are an essential part of the office. The Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City accepts applications on a rolling basis for membership into the Honors Law Clerk Program. The strength of Leonards candidacy, I think, suggests that the public has an appetite for criminal justice reform.. The Incumbent there, Albert Peisinger is also on the verge of being ousted. Some areas, though, recently saw an uptick in homicides at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. And its not OK for the states attorneys office to turn their back on their sworn oath.. Deputy States Attorney John Cox, who represented his boss, and Leonard were both present in the final hour of counting. Leonard has been a practicing attorney for 15 years and served as a public defender in Baltimore City. Soros has funded progressive prosecutor candidates around the country. But when counting of mail-in ballots started later that week, Shellenberger closed the gap and then gained ground. 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. The states attorney and others in his office are defendants in an ongoing federal lawsuit in which a woman who reported she was raped alleges they violated her constitutional rights. A tough-on-crime Democrat, Shellenberger will square up against the young, self-described progressive attorney and secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party at the polls in July. Thats what I was trying to do, and Im sorry she took it to be anything other than what it was, Dever said. (Paul Newson) As he seeks a fifth term in office, Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger on Tuesday held a wide lead over his first challenger in the general election in 12 years, Jim Haynes. Baltimore Countys top prosecutor faces a progressive challenger in his first primary fight in 16 years. County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., who was elected in 2018, faced little competition in the Democratic race. Has Maryland gone too far, or far enough, when it comes to police reform? The 2021 audit also found more standardized documentation of prosecutors review of police cases. 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. Learn more about supporting local journalism. When they counted provisional ballots, I got the most votes. 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. There is no statute of limitation on rape in the state of Maryland. Shellenberger said he intended to help the woman and did not want the men to sue her for claims such as false arrest. He has emphasized positive steps made in response to criticisms, such as increased testing of rape kits. He said he wouldnt discuss details because I dont think its fair to her, but alluded to what she told police and the timing of the report. Nonpartisan. 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. The 16-year incumbent released a statement . 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. 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. The world has changed a lot in the last four years, Jaros said. The Republican primary, meanwhile, attracted six candidates. [Live election results: Baltimore County primary results]. 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. Leonard supporter Peta Richkus said his campaign generated energy that was visible throughout the county.. Apr 2013 - Sep 20141 year 6 months. The public perception of the criminal justice system. I worked to get old sexual assault kits and available evidence tested to find serial sexual offenders. We just work cooperatively toward that goal.. He said he feels that he has a greater diversity of experience than his opponent. The Maryland Justice and Public Safety PAC, funded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, poured nearly $784,000 into the race over a month, flooding many county Democrats mailboxes and social media feeds with advertisements. He later changed his position, saying he saw the value in testing all kits because doing so can link suspects to other sex offenses. 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. 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. Last summer, he represented unemployed Marylanders who successfully challenged Republican Gov. He plans to hold a rally in Patriots Plaza in Towson at 2 p.m. WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore 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. 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. David Collins (@dcollinsWBAL) July 29, 2022 Only hundreds of votes. Rogers Forge, Baltimore County. For decades, the crime rate has been decreasing in the United States. I am absolutely committed to that. He said Shellenberger is out of touch with Democratic primary voters. represented state employee retirees in a lawsuit, Progressive Groups Endorse Robbie Leonard for Baltimore County States Attorney, Reform Council Recommends Ending Policy of Automatically Charging Some Youth as Adults, Mireku-North Launches Challenge to Montgomery County States Attorney, Moore joins with dignitaries at wreath laying ceremony before inauguration as states first Black governor, Moore faces great expectations and the weight of history as he takes office, Ahead of Moores inauguration as first Black governor, another first reflects, As Moore is inaugurated, the Black leaders who backed him are as enthusiastic as ever, Dayvon Love: Lets kill the woke straw man argument, Biden speaks of redeeming Americas soul during visit to Martin Luther Kings hometown church, Political Notes: Four more for the Moore team, plus the roster of Black Caucus leaders and an MLK Day fair housing event, Former delegate pleads guilty to misconduct in office for misusing state funds to pay for Middle River cottage, Consultants tell work group cannabis sales in Maryland could reach $1B after its legal. Shellenberger has a close relationship with the Baltimore County Police Department, which has been questioned in the past. 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. Alternate judge on Employees Compensation Appeals Board in the U.S. Department of Labor from 2006-2016. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Past experience: Law clerk from 1982-1985 in the Baltimore County States Attorneys Office, assistant states attorney from 1985-1993. He said his office now requires more documentation about its decisions to approve or decline charges in similar cases. 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. Hes always opposing legislation being put in by Democrats.. 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. That included Democrat Izzy Patoka of Pikesville. States attorney, he said, is not a position to learn on the job. Shellenberger has cruised to reelection for more than a decade. Sure it helped, said Leonard. That in itself, I think, is horrific.. Efforts at police reform are probably a never ending process. Name Party Early Voting 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. But the results took more than a week and initially Leonard led the 16-year incumbent by more than 800 votes. an audit to examine possible racial disparities. He supports diverting low-level offenses out of the criminal justice system and wants to conduct a racial equity audit examining prosecutorial practices. We will see with time if the appropriate balance has been reached. Witnesses and victims of crime do not get paid to come to court, Haynes said. He pointed to the murder of George Floyd, the Freddie Gray case and the Gun Trace Task Force scandal. 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. This is accomplished by the existence of a thorough and impartial investigation. Whoever pulls it out, looks to be headed for a General Election match-up with Republican James A. Haynes who seems to have edged out Deborah Hill. Only Shellenberger and the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in opposition, according to Leonard. He faces a federal lawsuit alleging he and others in his office violated a different womans constitutional rights when she sought to press charges. (A 2019 audit had found rape kits werent tested in 78% of cases.). It appears incumbent Democratic Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger could lose his seat to well funded progressive challenger Robbie Leonard. all male county council, and men as state's attorney . Black Lives Matter and issues related to mass incarceration have sort of gone mainstream as viable, relevant issues, Jaros said. We cannot ignore, however, that there are victims of low-level offenses also. The race was marked by heavy outside spending by progressive political action committees that sought to unseat Shellenberger. Nonprofit. Violent crime, unquestionably, must be prioritized. Should certain crimes be prioritized and, if so, which? 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. Haynes, 72, of Rodgers Forge, is a retired administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Labor and a former state assistant attorney general. Early voting ends Nov. 3. Shellenberger has frequently opposed progressive criminal justice legislation in Annapolis. Scott Shellenberger won the Baltimore County States Attorney's race according to Baltimore Co Bd of Elections. Both Shellenberger and Leonard have declined to discuss the changes in vote totals over the last week of counting. Those that don't or choose not to must be appropriately addressed. . 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. 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. Civil rights groups sued the county after last years redistricting process, alleging the plan unlawfully diluted Black residents votes. Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Baltimore County. A federal judge blocked the county from using its initial map and later accepted a revised version. There is no Democratic candidate running for State's Attorney in Harford County. 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. Juris doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1981. I always wondered, like, how is this states attorney a Democrat? - 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. But in the days that followed, Leonard saw his lead eroded as more than 87,000 mail-in votes were counted. Shellenberger has said the office doesnt collect data around the number of criminal prosecutions, convictions or victim and perpetrator demographics making it challenging for observers to analyze outcomes. With in-person and early voting ballots tallied, Leonard held a narrow lead of 860 votes. 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. Shellenberger, a Towson resident, will face Republican James A. Haynes in the November general election. We must be attuned to the issues from both the perspective of the man on the street and the officer on the beat. The race got heated between former state delegate Pat McDonough and Darren Badillo, an auto sales manager and deacon at Rosedale Baptist Church. Any questions or feedback can be sent to elections@baltsun.com, or read more about the questionnaire process here. Shellenberger said he acted out of concern for the woman, because he believed the men might file criminal charges or a lawsuit against her. Shellenbergers primary win comes as he takes time away from the office. 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. Find us in a community near year. 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. Appellate administrative judge on the Administrative Review Board in the U.S. Department of Labor, 2019-2021. Billionaire philanthropist George Soros is listed as the only contributor to the committee in the latest state campaign finance report, donating $884,000. 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. About 2,100 votes separated the two. Returns were incomplete Tuesday evening, with polls closing at 8 p.m. and a large number of ballots yet to be counted. 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. He said it is worth prosecuting low-level crimes and that the court system is, at times, what gets someone help. Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger has not had a Democratic primary challenger since he was first elected in 2006. 'This is a big job': Leonard Takes on Shellenberger in Baltimore County State's Attorney Primary By Hannah Gaskill May 30, 2022 Getty Images. In Baltimore County, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Haynes has called himself "a political. NR: not reported. 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. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.s attempt to end an enhanced federal benefit program early. People in the community, he said, want to be safe from violent crime. 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. Retired from the US Department of Labor as Appellate . I want to raise the level of professionalism in the office.. Were going to lose if we play defense, Haynes said. ), 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. Some female voters told The Baltimore Sun during the campaign that issues related to sexual assault were why they supported Leonard. Olszewski had a wide lead in initial returns. Acie Spencer, 55, said he voted for Shellenberger and other incumbents who he says have run their offices effectively. Shellenberger received 44,962 votes or 51% compared to Leonard's 42,847 votes, 49%. 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.. Attorney at the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos from 1993-2006. In the Democratic primary, Shellenberger narrowly defeated Robbie Leonard a former public defender who advocated for a more progressive approach toward criminal justice and criticized how the office had handled low-level offenses, sex crimes and allegations of police misconduct by a margin of 2.4%, or 2,115 votes, according to election results from the Maryland State Board of Elections. advocated for a more progressive approach toward criminal justice, according to election results from the Maryland State Board of Elections, a jury came back with a not guilty verdict in 2013. The death of George Floyd opened many eyes to the need for significant change. Do voters want change? Unofficial results from the Maryland State Board of Elections showed a tight race from the votes garnered during the state's early voting period, with the candidates just 64 votes apart. 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%. 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. Theres a point at which you get out of the process. 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. Tagged with: Baltimore County Elections scott shellenberger. The criminals havent scored any more points, he later added. By late Friday afternoon, Shellenberger gained a 918-vote advantage over Leonard. 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. Election Day is Nov. 8. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger has not had a Democratic primary challenger since he was first elected in 2006. 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.. Danielle E. Gaines contributed to this report. State Del. He said he loves his job and believes that the office contributes a lot toward keeping people safe. 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. Leonard spoke frequently of racial disparities in the criminal justice system. 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. Members of the BCSAO Honors Law Clerk Program are full-time benefitted employees of the BCSAO. Rodriguez said a case should move forward on its own laurels, on its own facts.. 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.
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