Mother's trial put off third time

The Baltimore Sun

The trial of Shanda R. Harris, the mother charged with recklessly allowing her 11-year-old son to stay with the sex offender who eventually was accused of killing him, was postponed yesterday for a third time, to allow for a long-awaited evaluation of her mental and physical well-being.

Harris, 41, was arrested in October. Her trial was initially set for February but was postponed for the evaluation, said Julie Drake, an assistant state's attorney. In May, the trial was postponed again, she said, because the defense had not submitted the referral to Client Services for an evaluation.

In court yesterday, Harris' defense attorney, James L. Scott, said the evaluation had not been completed. The trial was rescheduled for Sept. 5.

"It just seems that there's been one screw-up after another," said Drake after Circuit Judge Lynn K. Stewart granted the extension. "And I think it's unfortunate."

Harris is charged with reckless endangerment and four counts of a charge similar to criminal neglect. She is accused of irresponsibly allowing Melvin L. Jones Jr., 53, to baby-sit her son, Irvin, and her other children. Irvin disappeared July 28 when he went to buy a snowball near the Clifton Park Golf Course. He was later found dead.

Harris has said she knew Jones was a registered sex offender.

Jones, who is charged in the boy's killing, has served prison time for a sexual offense, according to court records. His trial is set for this month.

Client Services, a small division of the city Public Defender's Office, evaluates medical history, mental health, education and other factors - to identify why an individual acted a certain way. It then creates a plan to help the individual get back on track. The defense and prosecution decide whether the plan is an acceptable alternative to incarceration.

Harris has seven children ranging in age from 10 to the mid-20s. She was released on bond.

julie.turkewitz@baltsun.com

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