Sign In
Free Newsletter
Judge halves 100-year sentence for 1995 murder by juvenile
A retired judge on Wednesday cut in half the 100-year sentence he gave a defendant 23 years ago, partially granting a defense motion asking him to reconsider. The defendant, Gerald Jamar Cook, 40, was convicted of second-degree murder and related offenses in 1996 for the shooting death of William Louis Miller the previous year. Cook, who […]
Md. high court applies juvenile life-sentence decision
Maryland’s top court Wednesday put to work its landmark August decision upholding the constitutionality of life sentences for juvenile offenders as it agreed to hear three convicted lifers’ appeals but then summarily affirmed their punishments.
Md. high court rules juvenile life sentences constitutional
A sharply divided Maryland high court Wednesday upheld life sentences for juvenile offenders, saying they have a constitutionally required 'meaningful opportunity' for release based on their maturity and rehabilitation behind bars.
Federal judge orders settlement conference in juvenile-lifers case
Litigation over the constitutionality of Maryland’s treatment of juvenile offenders sentenced to life in prison was referred to a federal magistrate judge for a settlement conference last week but the parties will still proceed with a months-long discovery process. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander signed the order referring the case for settlement March 30, the […]
Bill would strip Md. governor of final say in parole decisions
Lawmakers back bill to take parole decisions from Maryland governors, who have adopted no parole-panel recommendations to release a life-sentenced prisoner.
Federal judge hears arguments on Md.’s life sentences for juveniles
Maryland’s parole system for juvenile offenders sentenced to life in prison has “morphed” into one of executive clemency that does not comply with a series of recent Supreme Court rulings requiring such offenders be allowed a meaningful opportunity to prove they have matured and rehabilitated, opponents of the system argued Wednesday in federal court. The […]
Challengers to Md. sentencing of young offenders welcome 4th Ciruit’s decision
A court decision striking down the life-without-parole sentence of a juvenile offender in Virginia has provided ammunition for Maryland civil-rights attorneys who claim 200 convicts are being held unconstitutionally under de facto life sentences without parole in Maryland.
