In Baltimore County
Conviction upheld in man's plot to kill Circuit Court judge
ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland Court of Special Appeals upheld yesterday the solicitation-for-murder conviction of a Kingsville man who asked a cellmate to kill the judge who was about to sentence him for three armed robberies.
The court said the evidence in Christopher A. Denicolis' trial in October 2001 was "legally sufficient" to establish that he tried to arrange the murder of Baltimore County Circuit Judge Dana M. Levitz. It rejected Denicolis' arguments that the trial should have been moved because of publicity, and rejected the claim that Denicolis should have been granted a mistrial because of prosecutors' characterizations of his earlier crimes.
Denicolis was convicted of solicitation for murder and sentenced to 20 years. He also was sentenced to 20 years for the armed robberies.
Police find 869 suspects in partnership with MVA
TOWSON - Baltimore County police arrested or served warrants to 869 suspects wanted on criminal charges during the first year of a partnership with the state Motor Vehicle Administration. That is more than any other law enforcement agency participating in the program, police said yesterday.
Participation in the warrant program is voluntary, but county police Chief Terrence B. Sheridan said it has been effective.
Under the program, local police departments send a list of suspects to the MVA, which can suspend a driver's license or refuse to renew a registration until a warrant is served. The outstanding warrant appears on a person's driving record. If the person is stopped by a police officer anywhere in Maryland, the officer will be alerted.
Ehrlich will address forum on budget, education issues
TOWSON - Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. will discuss budget and education issues during a forum at 10 a.m. today in the Heubeck Multipurpose Room at Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road.
The free forum will begin with a 30-minute discussion led by college President Sanford J. Ungar. A question-and-answer session will follow Ehrlich's address.
Information: 410-337-6333.
School for the Blind chorus to perform concerts today
A student chorus at the Maryland School for the Blind is scheduled to perform two concerts for the public at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. today.
The programs will be presented in the Russo Arts Center on the school campus at 3501 Taylor Ave., between Belair and Harford roads in Northeast Baltimore.
Admission is free. Information: 410-319-5722.
In Baltimore City
Man convicted of killing estranged wife's boyfriend
A Baltimore Circuit Court jury has found an East Baltimore man guilty of second-degree murder and a handgun offense in the fatal shooting of the boyfriend of his estranged wife, the state's attorney's office announced yesterday.
According to prosecutors, James Michael Johnson, 28, told his wife, Mary Blake Johnson, early Nov. 4, 2001, that he wanted to reconcile, and when she refused, he told her to "get rid" of her boyfriend - or he would. About 4:30 that afternoon, Johnson drove to his wife's apartment in the 4200 block of Parkton St., kicked in her door and shot Matthew Boyd IV, 25, of the 1000 block of E. Lake Ave. in the head at close range with a .45-caliber handgun.
Judge John N. Prevas presided over the trial that began Nov. 22, and the jury returned its verdict late Monday. Johnson could receive a 50-year prison term when he is sentenced Jan. 10.
Man arrested in city gets 17 years for kidnapping
A New Jersey man convicted in a Virginia kidnapping that led to a police chase in Baltimore was sentenced yesterday to 17 years and ordered to pay $7,119 in restitution to the victim, the Maryland U.S. attorney's office announced.
Jaron Reevey, 21, of Neptune was convicted by a federal jury of carjacking and kidnapping Aaron Jones, 21, of Hampton, Va., in January. Police said Reevey and co-defendant Sabrina Wright, 20, also of Neptune, handcuffed Jones, threw him in the trunk of his Chevrolet Cavalier in Richmond, Va., and drove him to Baltimore. The pair was captured after a brief pursuit that ended with police shooting Reevey five times.
Wright was sentenced last month to nearly four years in prison. The two have also been charged with felony murder and robbery in the death of a pharmacist in Neptune two years ago.
Student rally to emphasize dangers of marijuana use
Students from Catonsville, Randallstown and Calvert Hall College high schools will rally at Baltimore's Inner Harbor today to publicize the risks of marijuana use.
The rally, organized by Students Against Destructive Decisions, will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at McKeldin Square at Harborplace, Light and Pratt streets.