FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  

For Information Contact:                Margaret T. Burns
                                                      Chief, Communications & Governmental Affairs
                                                      Office(443)984-1121                                                       
                                                      Cell Phone (443) 474-7479
                                                       Fax Phone (410) 637-3172
                                                                       or
                                                      Joseph Sviatko, Public Information Officer
                                                      Office (443) 984-1122
                                                      Cell (410) 790-3248

PRESS RELEASE 

BALTIMORE CITY GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS CHARGING POLICE OFFICER GREGORY M. MUSSMACHER WITH FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT AND MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE

            Baltimore, MD -- July 2, 2004 -- State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced today that the Baltimore City Grand Jury returned two indictments charging Baltimore City police officer Gregory M. Mussmacher, 29, of Hanover, PA, with one count of First Degree Assault, two counts of Second Degree Assault and two counts of Misconduct in Office. 

            If convicted of First Degree Assault Mussmacher could receive a maximum sentence of 25 years. If convicted of both counts of Second Degree Assault, Mussmacher could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years for each count.  Misconduct in Office is a common law offense, which means, if convicted of that count, Mussmacher could be sentenced to whatever period of incarceration a judge deems fair and reasonable. 

The indictment stems from an investigation by the Baltimore Police Department’s Internal Affair’s Division and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office of the events surrounding the arrest of a 17-year old juvenile on April 27, 2004.  It is alleged that Mussmacher assaulted this teenager in the 3800 block of Glengyle Avenue after the teen was handcuffed and placed under arrest. It is further alleged that Mussmacher once again assaulted the teen by striking him in the face with his expandable baton at the Northwest District Station on Reisterstown Road while the teen was handcuffed and shackled. The teen was treated at Sinai Hospital for a laceration to the left cheek and two nondisplaced fractures of the left sinus. 

Mussmacher is currently suspended with pay.  He will be arraigned September 28, 2004 before Judge John M. Glynn.  A. Thomas Krehely, Jr., Chief of the Police Misconduct Division, will prosecute this case.                                                            

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