Once again, The Capital resorts to willful misrepresentation and malicious falsehoods when it comes to editorializing about my conduct (“Leopold’s legal strategy shows an utter failure to grasp his abuse,” Jan. 30, reprinted in The Sun on Feb. 2). I have on several occasions acknowledged misjudgments but should never be compelled to admit to criminal misconduct I did not commit.
Three years ago, the Capital wrote that I "coerced an employee (Patricia Medlin) into helping change (my) colostomy bag." This statement was false because I have never had a colostomy bag. In its most recent editorial, the Capital writes that Ms. Medlin "changed (my) catheter bag." This, too, is false. I never once asked a county employee to change a catheter or a catheter bag.
Ms. Medlin was never cross-examined by my attorney during my trial, and her claims about my behavior were, therefore, never challenged. If it is proven that Ms. Medlin lied under oath about the catheter issue, why should the Capital, or anyone else, believe anything she has alleged?
The courts ruled that I was "cruel, predatory and abusive" after hearing her unchallenged trial testimony. Her now-released grand jury testimony, as well as my medical records, provide credible evidence that her trial testimony was clearly inconsistent with her grand jury testimony. No one should be convicted and serve 30 days in jail for a crime he did not commit.
In a June 22, 2018 editorial, the Capital stated that my "hopes for vindication belong in the courts of appeal." Now that I am following its advice, the Capital hypocritically professes that I am wrong to do so.
The truth is always worth fighting for. The highest value of any journalist should be to suppress petty, personal pique and focus on what is true and verifiable.
John R. Leopold, Pasadena
The writer, a Republican, served as Anne Arundel County executive from 2006 to 2013.