11.7.11: Merritt Sentenced for Her Role in Robbery, Murder of Hopkins Researcher
November 7, 2011 -- Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin sentenced Lavelva Merritt today to 30 years in prison, 15 of those years suspended, and three years of supervised probation for her participation in the robbery and murder of Johns Hopkins researcher Stephen Pitcairn in July 2010.
Merritt, 25, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery for her role in the July 25, 2010, fatal attack in Charles Village. She testified against her co-defendant, John Wagner, who was convicted of murder and sentenced last month to life plus 20 years in prison.
Merritt is scheduled to return to court on December 9, 2011, for a probation violation hearing.
"First and foremost, we want to express our deepest condolences to Stephen Pitcarin's loved ones. Today's sentencing marks the legal end of this tragic case, and we hope that his family and friends will find some measure of closure in the result," State's Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein said. "This case reaffirms our aggressive and strategic drive to investigate and prosecute violent, repeat offenders. By getting these individuals off of the streets, we are making our citizens and city safer."