Maryland federal courts postpone jury trials, grand juries as COVID-19 spikes
Federal jury trials and grand jury sessions have been put on hold until late January amid the latest wave of COVID-19 cases in Maryland.
Bredar eases mask mandate for vaccinated U.S. court participants
Fully vaccinated participants in U.S. District Court proceedings in Maryland will be allowed to remove their masks at the presiding judge’s discretion beginning Tuesday, the federal court’s chief judge said, citing sharp reductions in the number of COVID-19 cases and increases in vaccinations. A person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second […]
Federal in-court proceedings resume March 1, Bredar says
The U.S. District Court for Maryland will resume some in-person court proceedings March 1 and jury trials two weeks later, the court’s chief judge ordered Wednesday, citing significant improvement in combating the pandemic that has forced operations to be conducted remotely and halted jury trials. James K. Bredar’s order followed his earlier directives that suspended […]
Bredar suspends federal in-court proceedings through Jan. 15
All in-court proceedings and hearings in the U.S. District Court for Maryland will be suspended through Jan. 15 due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the state that has worsened with the approach of the holiday season, Chief Judge James K. Bredar ordered Thursday. Bredar’s order extended his directive earlier this month that suspended […]
Federal in-court proceedings to be suspended amid virus resurgence
All in-court proceedings and hearings in the U.S. District Court for Maryland will be suspended for at least two weeks beginning Monday due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the state, Chief Judge James K. Bredar said Wednesday. Some proceedings will be transferred to virtual formats while others will be postponed, Bredar wrote in […]
Maryland courts extend closure, restricted operations to May 1
Maryland courts will remain closed to the public until May 1, Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera announced Wednesday in a new administrative order.
Federal suit alleges prison failed to protect inmate from cellmate attack
The daughter of a Hagerstown man who was killed by his cellmate just days before his conviction was overturned has filed suit against the state, alleging prison officials did not sufficiently protect her father. Roger Lee Largent died Feb. 17, 2017, at the Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland, according to the complaint, filed by his adult daughter […]
Md. federal courts postpone all proceedings through March 27
One day after announcing the suspension of all jury trials effective Monday, federal courts in Maryland are postponing all proceedings set to begin next week in response to the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Chief Judge James K. Bredar issued a revised standing order Friday afternoon postponing all civil, criminal and bankruptcy proceedings scheduled to occur between […]
Federal courts in Md. to delay jury trials, restrict entry
Federal courts in Maryland will postpone jury trials beginning Monday and are restricting entry to individuals with travel history or contacts that place them at risk of contracting coronavirus. U.S. District Chief Judge James K. Bredar said Thursday afternoon that he expects to issue a standing order delaying all jury trials, civil and criminal, until April […]
Attorneys file 3 more GTTF lawsuits as deadline looms
A Baltimore firm has filed three more lawsuits against former members of the Baltimore Police Department’s corrupt, now-disbanded Gun Trace Task Force as the likely deadline to file approaches. The U.S. Attorney’s Office unsealed the indictment against seven of the GTTF defendants on March 1, 2017. Most civil causes of action must be filed within […]
City opposes paying full settlement to woman who sued over ‘gag orders’
Despite public assurances that the city will no longer impose or enforce clauses restricting speech in police misconduct settlement agreements, Baltimore is arguing that it should not have to pay the woman whose federal lawsuit prompted the policy change. Ashley Overbey Underwood, who received only half of her $63,000 settlement in 2014 under the nondisparagement […]
Huguely insurance litigation ends; Love family’s suit set for trial
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. has no duty to pay damages in civil court for the man convicted of killing University of Virginia student Yeardley Love, potentially ending more than six years of litigation over the coverage issue. George Huguely V, Love’s ex-boyfriend, was convicted of second-degree murder for […]