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Judge rules Baltimore pension changes breached contract with police, fire retirees
Changes Baltimore city made to the retirement plan for police and fire employees “retrospectively diminished” their benefits and constitute a breach of contract, a city judge has ruled. The 2010 revisions to the Fire and Police Employees’ Retirement System of the City of Baltimore, which the city claimed were necessary for the plan to survive, […]
Third body camera ‘reenactment’ reported to Baltimore prosecutors this month
The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announced another round of dropped charges Monday after police self-reported a questionable body-worn camera incident in early August. The most recent video was reported to prosecutors Aug. 2 as “a reenactment of the seizure of evidence,” and prosecutors have since identified 101 active and adjudicated cases involving those officers, […]
Baltimore spending board to settle two false arrest lawsuits
The Baltimore City Board of Estimates is scheduled to approve Wednesday settlements totaling $150,000 in two cases where plaintiffs alleged they were arrested and held based on limited or conflicting evidence before charges were eventually dropped. In a case settling for $100,000, plaintiff David Cofield was arrested on a warrant stemming from an attempted carjacking outside […]
Baltimore to settle lawsuit filed by woman injured by police horse
The Baltimore City Board of Estimates is scheduled to approve a $50,000 settlement Wednesday with a woman whose foot was crushed by a police horse in 2013. Crystal Oats was leaving the Paparazzi Nightclub in April 2013 after celebrating a friend’s birthday when an officer told the group to move faster as they crossed the street, […]
Baltimore city approves $60K settlement for man who accused officer of chokehold
The Baltimore Board of Estimates approved a $60,000 settlement Wednesday with a man who accused city police of placing him in a chokehold and detaining him without cause in 2014. Albert Smith filed suit in Baltimore City Circuit Court last year alleging assault, battery, false arrest, false imprisonment and violation of the Maryland Declaration of […]
Stay lifted in Baltimore police internal affairs records dispute
The Court of Special Appeals has lifted a temporary stay requested by a Baltimore police sergeant of a criminal trial after finding the officer does not have standing to ask the court to review the circuit court’s decision allowing him to be questioned about his internal affairs records. Sgt. Joseph Donato requested and received the stay last week as […]
Spending panel to approve Baltimore police consent decree
The City of Baltimore and the U.S. Department of Justice have reached an agreement on a consent decree that would lead to reforms of the Baltimore Police Department. City officials announced Wednesday afternoon the Board of Estimates will hold a special meeting Thursday morning to discuss and approve the consent decree, which comes after months […]
Congressional delegation seeks update on DOJ consent decree
Baltimore’s congressional delegation has sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney General inquiring into the status of the Department of Justice consent decree negotiations with the city, citing growing concern from the community about the delayed agreement. A consent decree was initially expected by Nov. 1 but the parties announced in late October that negotiations […]
Baltimore’s ‘leading ladies’ talk work balance, sexism, confidence
Dr. Sonja Santelises recalled practicing for a high school debate with her father and that the particularly challenging argument she was trying to build wasn’t working. Overwhelmed, Santelises teared up a bit. How her father responded has stuck the Baltimore City Schools CEO since then. “He said, ‘You can cry with me, but as a […]
Baltimore panel to mull $145K settlement in fatal police shooting
Baltimore’s Board of Estimates is set to vote Wednesday on a $145,000 settlement with the family of a man fatally shot by police in 2012. The wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of George B. Wells III was settled in Baltimore City Circuit Court on Dec. 24, according to online court records. The incident […]
Lawsuit: Md. woman mistaken for alleged drug dealer, jailed 1 week
An Anne Arundel County woman has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was arrested and jailed for a week in connection with a heroin deal because her address, date of birth and other identifying information were listed on a warrant for a woman with a similar name. Barbara Spicknall claims she ended up in police […]
Here’s what to expect during this week’s Freddie Gray hearings
Less than two months away from the first of six expected trials, a Baltimore judge is expected to hear arguments on pending pretrial motions Tuesday and Wednesday for the six officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray. Judge Barry Williams’ order, issued earlier this month, does not specify which motions he will […]
