“Everybody says we love young people; we do love young people, but we got to hold them accountable,” Bates said. “That’s what I think parents are for and if they’re not going to do that then we are going to step in and hold young people accountable.”
The Baltimore prosecutor appeared on WBAL NewsRadio's "C4 and Bryan Nehman Show," during which, the topic came up because of what Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi told a House committee on Thursday. Schiraldi spoke to an audit of DJS, saying more than 70% of the juveniles who first come into the system are only in the system once, not repeatedly.
The Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates supports Syed’s motion to reduce his sentence, despite withdrawing a previous motion to vacate his conviction in a court filing Tuesday night. The prosecutor’s reversal came just hours before Syed was due in court.
In a statement Monday, Bates called the behavior seen in the viral video “abhorrent,” and said the outcome conveys that his office will not tolerate hate-filled acts. “There is never a scenario in which violence is acceptable in our city,” Bates said.
“In a callous act of violence, the defendant pushed the victim not once, but twice, ensuring that he tragically fell from the subway station platform to his death,” Bates said. “It is unfathomable to consider the anguish of a family awaiting a loved one who will never return due to such senseless brutality.”
Bates campaigned on cracking down on gun violence and restarting prosecutions for nonviolent crimes such as drug possession, prostitution, and trespassing. He promised to improve technology in the state’s attorney’s office, hire and train more staff, and work closely with federal authorities.
Bates said he believes in second chances and will support the Second Look Act. “This bill represents a beacon of hope, offering individuals who have proven their rehabilitation through measurable actions, as determined by a judge before their release, the opportunity to reclaim their place in society,” Bates said. “Moreover, it stands to save the state millions of dollars by ending the costly practice of warehousing those ready to contribute meaningfully. By investing in those ready to reintegrate, we can foster a society where everyone has the chance to contribute positively. Together, we can create a future where everyone has a chance to thrive.”
"Too often we see individuals that have arrest warrants put out on them for whatever reason, then they're detained , they're locked up, and they're arrested for whatever reason they've lost jobs, they've lost time from their community," said Bates.
Adnan Syed was convicted for murdering his high school girlfriend Hae Min Lee and spent more than two decades behind bars. After his story was chronicled on the podcast “Serial”, his conviction was vacated by a judge and he was freed. That conviction was later reinstated. NBC News’ Lester Holt spoke exclusively with new Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates about why he’s ending the fight to overturn that conviction, and why he supports a reduction in Syed’s sentence.
