DEM LAWMAKERS OFFER BILLS TO CRACK DOWN ON YOUTH CRIME: Children as young as 10 could potentially go to court for auto thefts and handgun violations, under one proposal key Democratic lawmakers detailed on Wednesday and plan to push for in coming weeks. The lawmakers propose giving Juvenile Services officers the option to route a young person’s case to court if the child is 10 to 13 years of age and accused of these or other crimes – adding them to the list of serious offenses that already can land a young person before a judge. Steph Quinn of Capital News Service/MarylandReporter.com.
- The new push follows reforms passed in 2022 that put limits on charging children with crimes, including a law that barred charging children under 13 except for certain violent crimes and kept kids under 10 years old out of the criminal legal system altogether. Katie Shepherd/The Washington Post.
- Despite falling juvenile crime rates statewide, state Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said lawmakers had to act this year on changes to the juvenile justice system in the state. Matt Bush/WYPR-FM.
- The plan announced Wednesday comes after months of public pressure on lawmakers to curb an increase in some types of juvenile crime. Ahead of the lawmaking session, legislators listened to law enforcement, public defenders, academics and more and pored over the system looking for gaps. Brenda Wintrode and Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
- Republicans, who have criticized the justice system reform bills passed by the legislature in recent years and focused on crime — particularly in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County — are encouraged by the bill’s parameters. Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun.
WIDOW OF SLAIN JUDGE SEEKS MORE PROTECTIONS: Stephanie Wilkinson told Maryland lawmakers in Annapolis Wednesday that personal protection for judges would prevent families from enduring future heartache. As she dabbed a tissue underneath her nose, Wilkinson said a man began to search online for her family’s address in July. Three months later in October after a divorce proceeding, the man shot and killed her husband, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson, in front of their home. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
STATE LEADERS ANGERED OVER SILENCE ON O’s SALE: Gov. Wes Moore and other state officials expressed anger and disappointment Wednesday that Baltimore Orioles chairman and CEO John Angelos did not inform them of his plans to sell the team – but they also indicated they’re pleased with the outcome of the sale anyway. Sapna Bansil of Capital News Service/MarylandReporter.com.
- State Treasurer Dereck Davis (D) took aim at the owners of the newly sold Baltimore Orioles, at one point comparing them to a reviled owner of football team that once played in Baltimore. “It’s deeply disappointing and troubling that you could look your state in the eye and outright lie to us about your intentions,” Davis said, directing his comments to John Angelos, who was not in attendance. “We had a right to know given the investment we’re committing to this.” Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
- Baltimore Orioles Chairman John Angelos did not give Gov. Wes Moore a heads-up that he was selling the team on Tuesday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Angelos’ snub came even though the two had spent the better part of a year in intense negotiations about a new leaase. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
WHO’s IN RUBENSTEIN’S INVESTMENT GROUP: David Rubenstein’s investment group includes Michael Arougheti, co-founder of private equity firm Ares Management, and Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. NBA great Grant Hill; billionaire Mike Bloomberg; Y. Michele Kang, who is also the owner of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Washington Spirit; and former Baltimore mayor Kurt Schmoke are in the group as well. Chelsea Janes/The Washington Post.
- Here’s more detail about each. Andy Kostka/The Baltimore Banner.
A SHOCKING PRICE IN 1993 PAYS OFF: When Peter Angelos bought the Orioles in 1993 for an unprecedented $173 million, some “murmured their disbelief at the price.” But financial experts say buying the team in 1993, 2024 or pretty much any year is a shrewd financial decision. Giacomo Bologna/The Baltimore Banner.
HOW A J6 ELECTION DENIER HID FROM VIEW IN PLAIN SIGHT: How an executive who was a member of rural Maryland’s most prominent business family came to climb over police barriers with a flag depicting an M-16-style rifle in a crowd trying to overthrow a presidential election has rocked officials and acquaintances. It’s also raised concerns about Maryland’s backgrounding process for appointments to boards as vital as the State Board of Elections. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
TRONE PUMPS MORE MONEY INTO SENATE CAMPAIGN: U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th) continues to pump millions of dollars into his U.S. Senate campaign. His latest campaign finance report, delivered Wednesday night, shows Trone spent $13.7 million between Sept. 1 and the end of 2023, $13.5 million from his own pocket. All told, Trone has spent $23.2 million so far this election cycle, as he battles Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the right to replace U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D), who is retiring at the end of this Congress. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
MARILYN MOSBY TESTIFIES IN FRAUD CASE: Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore’s former top prosecutor, testified at her federal mortgage fraud trial Wednesday, saying she did not believe she had committed any crimes while purchasing two vacation properties in Florida during the coronavirus pandemic. Katie Mettler and Jasmine Hilton/The Washington Post.
NICK MOSBY’s CLOUDY POLITICAL FUTURE: Hours after federal prosecutors claimed that City Council President Nick Mosby repeatedly committed perjury on his tax returns during the mortgage fraud trial of his now ex-wife, the official returned from U.S. District Court in Greenbelt to lead a Baltimore City Council meeting. But while Mosby put on a business-as-usual front, his political future seems anything but. Emily Sullivan and Tim Prudente/The Baltimore Banner.
