3.22.11: Auto Accident Results in 15-Year Prison Sentence for Violent, Repeat Offender
March 22, 2011 -- Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn K. Stewart sentenced Amos Johnson to 15 years in prison for violating his probation when he drove without a valid license and then fled from the scene of an auto accident. Johnson, 25, was serving probation following a 2010 conviction for attempted first-degree murder and wearing, carrying, and transporting a handgun.
On May 31, 2010, Baltimore City Police Col. Dean M. Palmere observed a two-vehicle accident in the 1500 block of Mosher Street in West Baltimore. After he pulled over to assist, Col. Palmere observed Amos Johnson exit one of the vehicles from the driver's side and run from the scene. Col. Palmere pursued Johnson, who was arrested in a nearby residence.
Johnson was found not guilty of driving without a license and failure to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in property damage, but the State's Attorney's Office proceeded with the violation of probation hearing and established Johnson's guilt under the lower preponderance of the evidence standard of proof rather than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard used in criminal cases.
"It is a primary goal of the State's Attorney's Office to aggressively pursue violent, repeat offenders, and to use every prosecutorial tool in our arsenal to ensure these individuals do not return to the streets to terrorize our citizens," said State's Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein. "Mr. Johnson's case is a prime example of a situation where we, when appropriate, will seek to violate a defendant's probation regardless of the outcome of the case that resulted in the violation."
Assistant State's Attorney Nancy Olin handled the case.