Bates said it can take days or even weeks until a child is arrested for another crime before his office and the court are notified that there's an ankle monitor violation.
Prosecutors said Cornell Moore and Keith Russell were involved in a murder-for-hire enterprise with a gang operating in Baltimore City and elsewhere in Maryland.
"It is my hope that the victims in this case feel safer knowing Jared Ford will never be free to conduct himself among law-abiding residents ever again," said Bates.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates released a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying: "Today's sentencing should send a clear message to every parent or guardian in our city: It is possible to be held accountable for your child's actions and you cannot turn a blind eye to, or be complicit in, criminal activity without facing consequences. As protectors of our youth, we must exemplify positive behavior and guide them during times of crisis. My office will not tolerate parents or guardians who act as instigators, agitators, or facilitators of violence. As a city, let's commit to a safer Baltimore for our residents, especially our children."
The Baltimore County judge overseeing that case called Gittens' actions a “reign of terror” committed with “utter depravity.”
According to the prosecution, the shooting occurred on the 600 block of North Robertson Street. Moulden was allegedly walking his dog in his backyard when the victim approached and spoke to him. When the victim turned to leave, Moulden allegedly called the victim back and fired. The prosecution described the severity of the victim’s paralysis and eye injury before asking Judge Schiffer to give Moulden a lengthier sentence than suggested by charge guidelines.
Gordon Staron, of Abingdon, said nothing when given the opportunity to address Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy. He also refused to communicate with his own defense attorney throughout the case, the attorney said, citing his client’s silence while arguing that Staron has severe mental health problems and should have been found incompetent to stand trial.
Instead, Eldridge credits the work of Baltimore's new state's attorney Ivan Bates combined with the "Al Capone Style" of prosecution by U.S. Attorney Erek Barron.
According to Bates’ Office, in November, 103 cases were charged by the juvenile division; 33 of those were special, which means the juvenile facing charges was detained in some way; 70 cases were stack cases, which means the juvenile was not detained.
