Represented by defense attorney, Bradley MacFee, Malone was also found guilty of firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, having a loaded handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle and discharging firearms.
“A cold case is still very much fresh in the hearts and minds of the victim’s family. My main job as State’s Attorney is holding offenders accountable, bringing closure for those impacted, and ensuring justice for Baltimore, the victims, and their loved ones,” Bates said. “It is critically important that we utilize the latest investigative techniques and technology to put fresh eyes on once-forgotten crimes in an effort to bring closure to those who were impacted while sending the message to offenders that their malicious acts will not go unaddressed. I sincerely appreciate all the tireless work by Senior ASA Kurt Bjorklund, BPD, the FBI, and ATF, and I am especially thankful for the continued support of the Metropolitan Police Department.”
Both investigations were the result of work by the Maryland Attorney General’s organized crime unit and Baltimore Police’s Group Violence Unit, a part of the city’s group violence reduction strategy. The police unit is focused on targets police suspect are behind significant levels of the city’s gun violence, including retaliatory shootings. Other partners included local DEA officials, a Maryland State Police task force and the city State’s Attorney’s Office.
“Well those aren't generally the offenses that law enforcement witness this age group committing,” Galeano said. "We know for a fact that individuals in this age group have been stealing cars. They've been breaking into businesses, they've been breaking into homes, they've been committing assaults of various degrees.”
“The current reality of juvenile intake is that youth who are committing criminal offenses, including auto theft and carjacking, are being released into the community almost immediately before being adequately evaluated for necessary services and rehabilitative resources,” the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office said in an emailed statement Friday. “Commonsense changes like these can help improve youth recidivism, which has led to many frustrations among city residents.”
Among other things, the proposal would expand juvenile court jurisdiction to 10 through 12-year-olds for certain offenses, require a Child in Need of Services (CINS) petition for the first time a juvenile is accused of stealing a vehicle and would increase probation time.
Following a 15-week investigation, Bates said his office worked with the Baltimore City Police Department to connect the dots of carjackings, armed robberies, and assaults; the youngest offender in the case is 12 years old, but some of the young people involved will be charged as adults, Bates said.
Prosecutors said Travon Shaw was responsible for the deadly ambush style shooting of officer Keona Holley, while she sat in her patrol car on Pennington Avenue.
“From the very start of session, even before session, I told them that we would work in partnership with them, but anything that came back to my desk that was focused on juveniles, it had to focus on one word: accountability,” Bates said. “It’s not just about changing laws. Changing laws even though we want to say is easier, I realize that it is extremely difficult. But I am pleased we are moving in the right direction and having that discussion. “
