"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.
Brice, 28, of West Baltimore, did not dispute that he beat up the two men. But he argued that he did not intend to seriously injure them.
Prosecution and defense counsel gave closing statements on the fifth day of Kemonta Johnson’s jury trial on Feb. 6 and debated the legitimacy of admitted evidence, which includes cellphone records, a 9mm Ruger handgun recovered from the scene and Kemonta Johnson’s 2007 Chevrolet Uplander minivan.
"It's what I consider to be almost an autopsy of a case, of a criminal trial. That's really what I do," Lipscomb explained.
Bill 25-0014 — separate legislation introduced by Councilman Mark Conway — would allow Baltimore City Emergency Medical Services to administer buprenorphine in treating those with opioid use disorders. The drug, which is itself an opioid, works by blocking the effects of other opioids and is also useful for treating people experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Jabre Griffith was found guilty in November 2024 of first-degree murder, six counts of attempted murder, and firearms charges in the shooting.
“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.
“I did not make this decision lightly, but it is necessary to preserve the credibility of our office and maintain public trust in the justice system,” Mr. Bates said in a statement.
