County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., who was elected in 2018, faced little competition in the Democratic race. 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. Election Day is Nov. 8. He said hed like to post information about the office and its results as a measure of transparency on the website. 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. 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. Lawyer, admitted to the Maryland bar. The race got heated between former state delegate Pat McDonough and Darren Badillo, an auto sales manager and deacon at Rosedale Baptist Church. Leonard said his campaign that ended in a narrow defeat should be seen as a signal for change in the countys criminal justice system. Shellenberger is of the mindset that all laws should be enforced. 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. WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick 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. Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger has not had a Democratic primary challenger since he was first elected in 2006. Members of the BCSAO Honors Law Clerk Program are full-time benefitted employees of the BCSAO. Theres a point at which you get out of the process. We must endeavor to address the root causes of crime and help those driven by issues often out of their control. And it recommended partnerships with organizations that have expertise and considering including victim advocates in some interviews and charging discussions. I am running to continue our efforts to protect all of the citizens of Baltimore County from crime. Shellenberger, a Towson resident, will face Republican James A. Haynes in the November general election. 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. We continue to train and learn more to find the best way to pursue sexual assaults. Before pursuing journalism, she received her bachelors of fine art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 2016. 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. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. I have stressed that during my time as the State's Attorney to all who work for me. HUNT VALLEY, Md. Both promised comments when the last votes were counted. 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 72. 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 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. 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. State's Attorney Republican Candidates - Vote for 1 The PAC filed in mid-June and its spending, only related to Leonards campaign, far outmatched what either candidate raised throughout the primary. Early voting ends Nov. 3. Of those, the three unnamed prosecutors brought charges in three out of 33. Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City. This is contrary to our ethical obligation and does a disservice to victims of sexual assault if the process loses its legitimacy by inappropriate prosecutions. And its not OK for the states attorneys office to turn their back on their sworn oath.. Assistant attorney general and then trial attorney who handled insurance defense work for the same agency under different names, the State Accident Fund, Injured Workers Insurance Fund, and currently Chesapeake Employers Insurance, from 1987-2006. 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. Advertisement Incumbent Democrat Johnny Olszewski defeated former. He is what youve seen: Hes a man of great character. All Rights Reserved. (WBFF) Incumbent Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger has won the Democratic primary after facing a strong challenge from progressive defense. Then there is the GOP Primary battle for Harford County State's Attorney. Since his election, Mr. Shellenberger has fought for justice, fairness, and accountability in the criminal justice system. The Democratic nominee will face either Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the November general election. We need to have a police department which earns and deserves the respect of all. 'This is a big job': Leonard Takes on Shellenberger in Baltimore County State's Attorney Primary By Hannah Gaskill May 30, 2022 Getty Images. July 29, 2022. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Shellenberger painted Leonard, who has never been a prosecutor, as unprepared for the office. 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. It appears incumbent Democratic Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger could lose his seat to well funded progressive challenger Robbie Leonard. 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. Attorney Robbie Leonard said Monday he will challenge Shellenberger in next June's primary. Leonard is the secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. 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? 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. Prosecutors had declined to take the case, but the woman tried to pursue charges on her own through the court commissioner. What's behind Baltimore County crime and how can the State's Attorney's office help to address those root causes? Law Clerks are assigned to work in one of the trial units. Printer Friendly Version. He has also called for an audit to examine possible racial disparities in charging decisions. Appellate administrative judge on the Administrative Review Board in the U.S. Department of Labor, 2019-2021. 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. 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. News you can trust. Vote-counting stretched on for more than a week because of the large number of mail-in ballots cast in Marylands primary election. Any questions or feedback can be sent to elections@baltsun.com, or read more about the questionnaire process here. Soros has funded progressive prosecutor candidates around the country. Attorney at the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos from 1993-2006. She said in the online meeting that was one of the reasons the prosecutor was concerned about moving forward in my case.. After early voting when people showed up for eight days, I got the most votes. 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. Nonpartisan. Leonard will make his bid for Baltimore County States Attorney official on Saturday. (A 2019 audit had found rape kits werent tested in 78% of cases.). I am committed to fight for the victims and a hope for peace in their lives after my office has achieved justice for them. McDonough denies he stole the sign and a trial is scheduled for Aug. 29. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If Leonard clinches the Democratic nomination, hell have ousted one of the most prominent voices on law enforcement and criminal justice in Annapolis. The Baltimore Banner is a trademark registered in the U.S. for The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 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.. 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.. He pointed to the murder of George Floyd, the Freddie Gray case and the Gun Trace Task Force scandal. 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. (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. Were going to lose if we play defense, Haynes said. Im worth fighting for, she said in the interview. Theres a growing awareness that the criminal justice system as usual is not acceptable, said David Jaros, faculty director of the Center for Criminal Justice Reform at the University of Baltimores law school. Acie Spencer, 55, said he voted for Shellenberger and other incumbents who he says have run their offices effectively. Returns were incomplete Tuesday evening, with polls closing at 8 p.m. and a large number of ballots yet to be counted. BALTIMORE Although the Primary Election has come and gone, some races have yet to be called. For decades, the crime rate has been decreasing in the United States. 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%. Retired from the US Department of Labor as Appellate . Leonards and the PACs messaging focused heavily on Shellenbergers handling of sexual assault cases. Others vying for the GOP nomination were Henry Ciezkowski, Thilo August Albert Gluck, A. Scott Pappas and Kimberley Stansbury. We have a very robust program thats been going on for a couple years now to get caught up on this, so I think I think were doing a better job there, he 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. 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. The. By: Bryan P. Sears 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. Robbie Leonard and Scott Shellenberger, candidates for Baltimore County States Attorney. Leonard is the secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. The results ahead of Monday's. Learn more about supporting local journalism. 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. We cannot ignore, however, that there are victims of low-level offenses also. He ran on a progressive platform and portrayed Shellenberger as out of step with todays Democrats on issues such as police reform. He said crime and the fear of crime does not seem to be getting better. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Find us in a community near year. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The way that we can prevent it from happening again is to get good sentences, in the area of violent crime. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. 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. She said prosecutors she worked with in the years since her assaults made her feel worthless and like she wasnt human, including mocking and blaming her. Shellenberger was not available for comment Tuesday night. TurnAround, she said, is eager to work with the office on enhancing victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches to working with survivors. People in the community, he said, want to be safe from violent crime. Leonard agreed that crime needs to be addressed and that residents feel unsafe. But when counting of mail-in ballots started later that week, Shellenberger closed the gap and then gained ground. Our job is to strive to always do the right thing. Occupation: Baltimore County states attorney, 2007-present. 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. County Executive . The 2021 audit also found more standardized documentation of prosecutors review of police cases. The death of George Floyd opened many eyes to the need for significant change. Tagged with: Baltimore County Elections scott shellenberger. . Campaign website: www.haynesforbaltimorecounty.com, www.thebaltimorebanner.com 2022 The Baltimore Banner. Some areas, though, recently saw an uptick in homicides at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. NR: not reported. 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. Shellenberger: 30,449 Leonard: 29,531 There remains 28,000 more mail-in ballots to process that Baltimore. A former public defender who is now in private practice, Leonard is secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party. We are active participants in problem solving courts in appropriate cases where the primary focus is treatment rather than incarceration. BALTIMORE Although the Primary Election has come and gone, some races have yet to be called. I believe the large majority of the officers have earned that respect. Rodriguez said a case should move forward on its own laurels, on its own facts.. Riley said he helped the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee recruit Haynes to run and agreed to serve as the chairperson of his campaign. 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. 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 point at which you get out of the COVID-19 pandemic a narrow defeat should be seen as signal... Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the interview Republicans James A. Haynes or Deborah Hill in the justice. Am running to continue our efforts to protect all of the COVID-19 pandemic cases where the primary election come... 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