Prosecutors allow stay in Holton case, try to avoid ‘self promotion’ during Dixon’s trial 

Posted: 12:36 pm Thu, November 5, 2009
By Brendan Kearney
Daily Record Legal Affairs Writer

State prosecutors do not object to Baltimore City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton’s recent request to put off her trial while she appeals the jurisdiction of the circuit court, according to a filing yesterday.

Holton is scheduled to go to trial on charges of campaign finance violations on Dec. 7, but last week she requested a stay while an appellate court reviews whether her case should be in district court.

“The State strongly disagrees with the Defendant’s double jeopardy and due process analysis, as well as many of the other assertions in her motion,” Deputy State Prosecutor Thomas M. McDonough wrote in the motion. “The legal issue raised by the defendant concerning the jurisdiction of the Court is, however, one of first impression.”

Also Wednesday, prosecutors moved to preclude Mayor Sheila Dixon from using a series of “self-promoting hearsay publication[s]” to turn her gift card theft trial, the jury selection for which is scheduled to begin on Monday, “into a referendum on her performance as Mayor.”

The documents include records of her church donations and plans to end homelessness and reduce violence in the city.

Judge Dennis M. Sweeney, who has presided over the series of cases alleging corruption at City Hall, has not ruled on yesterday’s motions or other evidentiary motions filed in Dixon’s case two weeks ago.