After The Sun's recent series on the low rate of murder convictions, the city's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council agreed in October to examine whether authority to charge defendants in murder cases should be shifted from the Police Department to the state's attorney.

Since then, little has happened. A proposed council subcommittee to study the issue has not been formed. Judge Stuart R. Berger, the council chairman, met with state's attorney Patricia C. Jessamy, city police Col. Robert M. Stanton and Circuit Court Administrative Judge Ellen M. Heller to discuss the issue.

Jessamy later told the council, "There seems to be a standoff at the present time" and warned that her office might give closer scrutiny to murder cases brought by police and seek fewer indictments.

In most jurisdictions, prosecutors have charging authority, but Baltimore police have steadfastly refused to give it up. They consult prosecutors in some cases before filing charges

Berger said he understood Jessamy was trying to work things out with the Police Department and promised to bring the issue before the council again if asked. "It's an issue that should be addressed," he said.

Mayor Martin O'Malley said last week that prosecutors have the power to decide which cases to pursue once an arrest is made.

But, he added, "They don't have and won't have arrest powers with regard to felonies."