

In an issue made last week by the Maryland Court of Appeals, the odor of marijuana can no longer be used by police to stop people. More About Arson Charges Pot Smell Cannot Lead To Police Search of Persons There is plenty more to the story, and further investigation is needed to present all the case facts. Those who suffer from a mental health illness usually take medication and have therapy sessions, but how can they afford those with no job or benefits?īut, when the fire started, someone was in the house, so was that the true motive for the arson? Covid is also the source of lost income and benefits, as many lost jobs. Perhaps, she suffered a mental breakdown or has a mental health disease. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many to suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.

What exactly did this woman think when she supposedly set fire to where she and four others live? People commit arson for insurance fraud, but doing this so openly and publicly is not a likely reason for the blaze. Not a sight most neighbors expect to see, a fellow neighbor sitting in a lawn chair in front of a house fire. Talk about starting a bonfire and inviting the neighborhood. The suspect faces charges of first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, first-degree assault, two counts of malicious burning first-degree, two counts of malicious destruction of property, and two counts of reckless endangerment. No one was injured as a result of the fire. A person yelled for help from a basement window and was rescued by witnesses. Witnesses stated they observed a woman set several fires around the house before sitting in a chair to watch the house become engulfed in flames. Last Thursday, fired departments in Cecil County responded to a house fire on Cherry Lane. More About Maryland Court System Matters Lawn Chair Arson in ElktonĪn Elkton woman allegedly set her home ablaze and watched it burn sitting in a lawn chair. It would be surprising not to see this law pushed (and adapted) in the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers in the state have tried for 40 years to allow cameras in the courtroom but have failed each time. Jurors were elsewhere in a socially distanced environment watching the trial.Īlthough the pandemic is a valid reason to delay, it didn’t have to be this way, so defendants have a just cause in claiming their right to a fair and speedy trial was not met. Having an outdated law on the books prevented the state from moving forward with criminal cases. Other states across the country were able to conduct jury trials via remote access to the courtroom via camera. The pandemic has put into question our 6th Amendment right to a fair and speedy trial, granted a deadly virus has generally been considered a valid reason for the delay.Ĭould this whole backlog be prevented? Yes. If Maryland allowed cameras in the courtrooms, then the seven-month pause on jury trials would have been moot.
MARYLAND JUDICIARY CASE SEARCH CECIL COUNTY TRIAL
It affects those with charges hanging over their head from job prospects and prevents those locked up from having the chance to be free after trial results in their favor. The backlog affects much more than the caseload. Maryland courts resumed entire operations last Monday, April 26th. Its been seven months since jury trials have been held, and many criminal defendants welcomed the reopening as a chance to resolve their cases FINALLY. Of course, if these or any other legal questions are impacting you and your family, then don’t hesitate to reach out to JC Law for your free initial consultation with one of our expert domestic, criminal, or civil litigation attorneys. Cars and property bought with pandemic relief funds, and now a man is charged with fraud.

Two woman strangled to death, one suspect in custody.Maryland court rules smell of pot cannot be used by police, to stop and search someone.Woman sits in lawn chair to watch inferno she set as neighbors watched.Maryland courts resume business, but was there a need for the delay?.The Weekly Writ: Maryland Legal News You Can Use for May 3, 2021
