Maryland DUI Lawyers Blog

A second suspect in the murder of Washington DC middle school principal Brian Betts is set to plead guilty in Montgomery County on November 18th. Nineteen-year-old Alante Saunders pled guilty earlier this month to murder, admitting to pulling the trigger and firing the shots that killed Betts in his Silver Spring home in April of this year.

Co-defendant nineteen-year-old Sharif Lancaster is expected to plead guilty to charges of robbery and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony in Rockville Circuit Court on Thursday. Lancaster, the second of four young men charged in relation to the murder of Betts, was originally charged with first-degree murder among other charges in the case. Deontra Gray and Joel Johnson, both 19 years old, have also been charged for Betts' murder. According to Lancaster's Maryland criminal attorney, all four men initially denied responsibility for the shooting death of Betts and implicated their co-defendants in the crime.

The teens met Betts over a phone sex chat line, entering his home through a door Betts deliberately left unlocked after the chat. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy conceded that the teens likely killed Betts accidentally during the commission of a robbery:

"We do not believe that this was a case where the homicide of Mr. Betts was pre-planned prior to arriving at the home."

According to police, Lancaster's fingerprints were found inside Betts's home. Prosecutors say that Saunders entered the home, heading upstairs to Betts' bedroom where the victim was shot from a distance. At some point after Saunders went in, Lancaster, Gray and Johnson followed suit. A sentencing date for Lancaster has not yet been determined, but under sentencing guidelines in the plea, he faces between twenty and thirty-five years in prison for the charges to which he is expected to plead guilty.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz LLp, serving Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. For more information, please visit our Virginia Criminal Lawyer and Washington DC Criminal Lawyer websites.

A former doctoral student and lecturer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been arrested for second-degree murder after she allegedly shot the man with whom she shared a southern Maryland home. Forty-year-old Joanna Joyce Findlay was apprehended after police were called to the home Saturday night on a report of a domestic disturbance with shots fired. It is unknown at this point whether Ms. Findlay has retained a Maryland criminal attorney.

Law enforcement officials in St. Mary's County told press that Findlay, who is originally from Scotland, shot fifty-five-year-old Gary Alan Trogdon during the disturbance. When police arrived on the scene, Trogdon was dead from a gunshot wound. Information regarding what may have precipitated the shooting is unavailable, but those who knew both Findlay and Trogdon at the University of Nebraska say that the fatal incident came as a massive shock.

Sue Hart, a secretary for the English graduate program, commented to press:
"I knew her as a nice person, and I'm surprised," English graduate program secretary Sue Hart said Tuesday.

Trogdon, a military historian for the army who was a faculty member at the online school American Public University, received his doctorate at UNL. His doctoral supervisor, Peter Maslowski, expressed sadness over Trogdon's fate:

"He was always outgoing and friendly -- always had a smile. That's my recollection of him," Maslowski said. "I'm sickened by this."

According to his biography, Trogdon was working on documenting the experiences of Japanese Americans who attended his alma mater during World War II. Maslowski described Trogdon as "hard-working," and said the victim had overcome a "limited educational background."

Ms. Findlawy is currently being held at St. Mary's County jail, and has not been granted bond.

This article is presented by The Law Office of David Benowitz, serving Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. For more information, please visit our Maryland DUI Lawyers and DC Criminal Lawyer websites.

Eight members of a family were taken hostage in a private residence in Prince George's County during an incident family members say stemmed from a relationship breakup. Police have not released the name or age of the suspect.

The standoff began at around 10 p.m. on September 14th at a home on Ritchboro Road in Capitol Heights. The suspect's 18-year-old former girlfriend was one of the eight hostages, according to family members who spoke to press. The woman's relatives say the nine-hour long hostage drama began when her uncle attempted to force the gun-wielding man from the home after he "stormed in."

Davon McRae, the woman's brother, described the altercation:

"My uncle tried to put him out of the house, so that's when he got mad, hit him with the gun and closed the door back," said McRae, the victim's brother.
The woman's uncle added:

"I came home with my girlfriend and the guy had everybody hostage," said Tyrone Wright, the victim's uncle. "He eventually let us out of the house, but he took my niece upstairs."

Police set up a command center outside the house, negotiating with the suspect for the entire nine hours while the family was barricaded inside the residence. The situation finally came to an end when the man, who had holed up in an upstairs bedroom, shot himself at around 7 a.m. His ex-girlfriend was able to escape the standoff without injury, and no other injuries other than those to the gunman were reported.

The family said that the hostage situation was the second armed confrontation with the gunman that day. Police were not called the first time because, according to the victim's mother, the suspect apologized and left. Law enforcement officials did not release information about pending charges, and would only say the suspect was in "very critical condition."

This article is presented by The Law Office of David Benowitz, serving Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. For more information, please visit our Maryland Criminal Attorneys and Washington DC Criminal Attorney websites.

Two Maryland teenagers are in custody, charged with a plot to kill one of the teens' parents. Police say 16-year-old Katelyn Kirchoff "helped devise" the plan to kill members of her family so the couple could be together, William Collins, also 16, is accused of firing a gun at members of Kirchoff's family as they watched a football game at the Kirchoff's Dorchester County home.

Police described a "spray of bullets," believed to have been fired from a .357 magnum into the house. No one was killed in the shooting, but the girl's aunt was hit with fragments from the bullets. Charging documents in the case indicate that Collins had been arrested for a burglary at the home the day prior to the shooting, and that the teens concocted the plan via text messages, even agreeing to time the shootings to occur at 9:20 p.m. Records indicate that police were called at 9:21 p.m.

Despite the evidence against Kirchoff, her family has publicly offered their support. Her father told press:

"I'm standing by her," said her father Ken Kirchoff. "The whole family, all five people who were there that night, stand by her. She is not this type of child."

The teen's parents had not spoken to their daughter for days when the elder Kirchoff spoke to press, and both teens remained incarcerated, neither able to post $500,000 bail. Katelyn Kirchoff is said to have confessed to her role in the murder plot, and both teenagers have been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and five counts of attempted second-degree murder. It was not known whether the teens had been assigned or retained Maryland criminal attorneys to face the murder charges.

This article is presented by The Law Office of David Benowitz, serving Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. For more information, please visit our Virginia criminal defense attorney and Maryland DUI Lawyers websites.

Washington DC native Delonte West, guard for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, pled guilty recently to weapons charges stemming from his arrest in Prince George's County Maryland. West's guilty plea came as part of a plea agreement that would allow him to play during the upcoming NBA season. Under the terms of the plea bargain, the NBA player will serve eight months of home detention, two months of supervised probation, forty hours of community service, and two years of unsupervised probation. Additionally, Delonte West is required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and to undergo counseling and alcohol treatment.

The weapons charges came after West was arrested in September for cutting off a police officer while changing lanes. The basketball player, who was driving a three-wheeled motorcycle called a Can-Am Spyder, was found to be carrying a Beretta 9mm handgun in his waistband, a Ruger .357 magnum strapped to his leg, and a shotgun in a guitar case strapped to his back. All three guns were loaded. West was also carrying an eight-inch Bowie knife and 100 shotgun shells. According to West's Prince George's County criminal lawyer, the NBA player was transporting the weapons from his mother's house to his own home in Fort Washington.

Originally charged with six weapons offenses, West pled guilty to carrying a dangerous weapon for his possession of the Bowie knife and to illegally transporting a handgun.
As part of his community service, Delonte West plans to speak with at-risk youth in Washington DC. Of his public service, West says, "If I never dribble a basketball again, I think I found my calling."

This article is presented by The Law Offices of David Benowitz, a criminal and DUI defense firm serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Maryland DUI Lawyer or DC Criminal Defense Lawyer websites.

A Montgomery County man charged with murder after fatally shooting another armed man may have his charges reduced or dismissed after prosecutors have reviewed the evidence in the case. Larry A. Lamont, 27, was charged with first degree murder and the use of a handgun in a crime of violence after he shot and killed Marcus D. Duffin, 27, outside a Montgomery County residence.

After reviewing investigators' reports, prosecutors are anticipated to reduce or dismiss charges against Lamont, who was cooperative with authorities and immediately waived his Miranda rights to confess to the killing. Lamont told police that he shot Duffin after Duffin pulled a handgun on a third, unarmed man. If the first degree murder case goes to trial, Lamont's Maryland criminal lawyer could raise a "defense of others" argument, similar to a self-defense argument. Under Maryland law, a jury would acquit if they found that the defendant had a "reasonable belief that the third party was in imminent danger of bodily harm."

Lamont, who turned himself in to authorities shortly after the shooting, was cooperative with police, telling them his version of the events. He claims that Duffin and the third man were arguing when Duffin pulled a handgun and pointed it at the other man. Lamont fired, striking Duffin in the upper body and killing him. Lamont fled but turned himself in at a police station a short time later. Authorities report that Lamont appeared contrite and helpful during his confession.

At Lamont's bond hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Peter Feeney requested a delay while he reviewed the first degree murder charge, saying that the "viability" of the charges was questionable. Montgomery County District Judge Brian Kim granted a week's delay for a review of the investigation and charges.

This article is presented by The Law Offices of David Benowitz, a criminal defense firm serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. For more information, please visit our DC Criminal Defense Lawyer and Virginia Criminal Lawyer websites.

Police report that the fatal shooting of an intruder at a Prince George's cCounty apartment complex appears to be justifiable homicide carried out in self-defense. According to police, 29-year-old Benjamin Jackson returned fire against an intruder who forced him into his apartment, wounding the suspect who later died at an area hospital. While an investigation is pending to determine whether or not Jackson will face charges, preliminary findings show that the shooting was justified. According to the Prince George's County State's Attorney, "Generally speaking, people do have a right to defend themselves and others in their homes, including deadly force in some circumstances." However, in comparison with criminal homicide, justifiable homicide cases are rare. According to 2008 FBI reports, there were only 204 firearm-related justifiable homicides compared with nearly 9,500 criminal murders involving firearms. While the use of deadly force in self-defense is rare, Maryland criminal lawyers understand how to utilize the theory of justification as a defense to murder charges.

In this case, although the shooting appears to be a classic case of self-defense, an investigation is still underway. Police have not yet determined whether the gun used by Jackson to shoot the intruder was possessed legally. Jackson has two prior misdemeanor convictions of carrying a concealed weapon in another state.

Additionally, the family of the man killed denies that he would be linked to such a violent crime. They report that he was a loving father of two and a youth mentor. However, the suspected intruder, tentatively identified as Keith L. Fletcher of Washington DC, is suspected in another robbery earlier that day and had an active warrant for his arrest stemming from his alleged involvement in a March carjacking and robbery. Fletcher was also arrested three times in 2008--twice for drug charges and once for robbery and assault. Fletcher's DC criminal defense attorney was successful in having all three cases dropped: one due to lack of evidence, one for an officer's failure to testify in court, and the third for the victim's inability to identify Fletcher as his attacker.

As the investigation into the incident continues, police are still looking for two other suspects who fled the scene of the home invasion.

This article is presented by The Law Offices of David Benowitz, a criminal defense firm serving Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. For more stories like this one, please visit our Washington DC Criminal Defense Lawyer blog.

Practicing law in a metropolitan area, it is common for an experienced Maryland criminal lawyer to represent city employees who have been accused of criminal charges. These individuals can include clerks, elected officials and even police officers. The circumstances are similar in a recent case where a former Maryland chief of police was arrested for stealing a gun and selling it illegally.

Last Friday, David Eichelberger, former police chief of Morningside, was sentenced to serve sixty days in jail after being convicted of Maryland gun charges and theft charges. He was accused of stealing a .40-caliber handgun that was registered property of the Morningside Police Department. Eichelberger then proceeded to sell the firearm out of the trunk of his police car for an unknown amount.

Immediately following the launch of the investigation against him, Eichelberger was fired from his position by Morningside officials. Circuit Court Judge for Prince George's County, Nicholas Rattal, originally sentenced him to serve five years in prison for the Maryland gun charges, and eighteen months for the theft. In the end however, both sentences were suspended to sixty days, which can be served concurrently. In addition, he is also required to serve eighty hours of community service and pay $300 in fines.

Being accused of criminal charges is a difficult and overwhelming experience for anyone to go through, regardless of occupation. As seen by the example of David Eichelberger, conviction of Maryland gun charges or theft charges can have life-changing consequences, including losing your job, paying fines, and/or serving jail time. For the best protection of your personal liberties and freedoms, it is essential to contact a hard-working and aggressive Maryland gun lawyer. Doing so immediately can not only provide the highest quality legal advice and legal representation, but also help ensure the most positive outcome for your case.

An experienced Maryland criminal lawyer will likely represent a number of individuals who have been accused of a variety of criminal charges. Generally, defendants face a number of violations all associated with one particular incident. The circumstances are similar regarding a 2008 armed robbery of an armored vehicle just outside of Baltimore--the suspects were convicted and sentenced on multiple charges.

On March 29th, U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett sentenced three suspects held in custody after being accused of Maryland armed robbery charges involving an armored car at the Lexington Market. On May 9th, 2008, Baltimore resident Walter Morsley, 50, along with two others, robbed an armored vehicle that was picking up and dropping off cash to the Lexington Market. While inside the supermarket, Morsley acted as a lookout by carrying a shotgun in a bag, while the employees of the armored car were robbed of $105,000. Immediately following the incident, the three men fled the scene, meeting up and dividing the money at an abandoned house nearby.

The other two conspirators in this case, Donald Cromwell, 54, and Charles Witherspoon, 50, both of Baltimore, pled guilty in December 2009 for their involvement in the incident. Witherspoon was sentenced to fifteen years behind bars after being convicted of Maryland armed robbery charges and Maryland gun charges. Cromwell was convicted of the same crimes, but will not be sentenced until April 2010. Morsley was sentenced to thirty-three years behind bars for armed robbery, possession of a gun by a felon, and brandishing a gun.

Being charged with a crime is a difficult process for anyone to go through, regardless of how many violations that person is facing. As seen by the example of Walter Morsley, Charles Witherspoon, and Donald Cromwell, conviction of armed robbery charges or gun charges can have life-changing consequences including significant jail time. To prevent this from happening to you and ensure the most successful outcome, it is important to contact a hard-working and experienced Maryland armed robbery lawyer immediately. Doing so can provide the best legal advice and legal representation for your case.

During the legal career of an experienced Maryland criminal lawyer, it is likely to represent a number of individuals who have been accused of a variety of criminal charges. Practicing in a large, metropolitan area, it is common to witness cases of law enforcement officials being the victims of gunshot wounds during these criminal altercations. Such is the recent case of two Baltimore police officers who were shot during a traffic stop.

The Baltimore law enforcement officials noticed an older Chevrolet Caprice following closely behind another vehicle in seemingly suspicious fashion. Upon pulling the vehicle over, the discovered marijuana and were in the process of arresting the passenger as the driver remained in his seat. After struggling with officers, the suspect managed to grab a handgun and start shooting. Both officers were wounded in the altercation; one policeman was shot in the cheek, while the other was shot in the hand. Both are receiving medical treatment from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Before the driver could be arrested on Maryland gun charges, return fire from officers killed him. Police then recovered the .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun that was used at the scene.

According to Baltimore law enforcement officials, murders within city limits have decreased over the past few years. Officials say that although 238 homicides occurred in Baltimore during 2009, violent crime overall has decreased. Police Commissioner Federick Bealefeld III commends the officers who were shot, as well as those law enforcement officials who have worked to keep guns off of city streets--he ordered officers to target their efforts towards "bad guys with guns."

As seen by the aforementioned example, facing gun charges can be a scary and overwhelming process for anyone to go through, often encouraging accused individuals to take matters in their own hands. As an experienced Maryland gun lawyer, it is important to remind everyone that if approached, it is best not to make any statements as they will likely be held against you later. For more answers to the many questions an accused individual will undoubtedly have regarding their case, it is vital to contact hard-wokring legal counsel immediately.

Practicing in a metropolitan area, it is common for a Maryland criminal lawyer to represent professional athletes who have been accused of a variety of criminal charges. Clients' cases are similar to that of former wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Only a mere two months into his two-year sentence for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, he is asking some leniency from the court. The NFL star is looking to receive permission to take part in a work-furlough program that would allow him to spend between one and seven nights a sweet at home. Burress wants to take part in the work-furlough to spend time out of jail with his wife and children. Additionally, his criminal justice attorney is attempting to negotiate new sentencing terms.

Last year, Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg at a metropolitan nightclub. Originally, the former football player was looking at two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment, for which he might have served between 3.5 to 15 years behind bars. However, he struck a deal with the defense attorney, agreeing to the lesser charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. For this, he was sentenced to serve two years in prison. By doing this, Burress may be allowed to take advantage of the legal loophole that lets those convicted of gun possession to apply for work-furloughs, as long as they had no intent of using the gun.

However, the Department of Corrections might not let Burress into the work-furlough program so easily. According to jail records, he appears to be "isolated" and "depressed." Therefore, it is no surprise that he would request participation in the program. However, the agency only allows a select few applicants to utilize the work-furlough program. Of the 31,598 inmates that applied, only 1,413 received approval. Burress' criminal justice attorney believes that his client deserves to get a furlough, regardless of his celebrity status. "My hope is that his celebrity status does not prevent him from getting a break that every other inmate with the same facts would be entitled to," it was commented.

Being accused of criminal charges of gun possession is an overwhelming process for anyone to go through regardless of celebrity status. Conviction of these criminal charges will have life altering consequences including the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To prevent this from happening to you, it is in your best interest to contact a hard-working and experienced Maryland criminal attorney as soon as possible.