ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – Marilyn Mosby, a high-profile prosecutor who aligned herself with criminal justice reformers but ended up in legal trouble of her own, has lost the Democratic primary for state’s attorney in Baltimore before Ivan Bates, a defense attorney.
Baltimore is heavily Democratic and there is no Republican candidate in the race. Roya Hanna is an unaffiliated candidate who has filed to run in the November general election.
“Today, Baltimore decided it was time for a change,” Bates wrote on Twitter. “Thank you so much to all my supporters. I recognize that the job of helping build a safer Baltimore is a big challenge. I’m ready to lead and to work with collaborators from all walks of life to help make it happen.” .
Mosby, a two-term incumbent, rose to national prominence in 2015 when he brought criminal charges against six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who suffered a spinal injury after police ‘handcuffed, chained and placed upside down. a van His death sparked riots and protests. None of the officers were convicted.
In January, a grand jury indicted Mosby on two counts each of perjury and making a false statement on a loan application in the purchase of a home in Kissimmee, Florida, and a condo on Long Boat Key, Florida. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The indictment accuses Mosby of falsely claiming the COVID-19 pandemic hurt his finances so he could withdraw $90,000 from his city retirement account. Mosby’s gross salary in 2020 exceeded $247,000 and was never reduced, according to the indictment.
Bates, who is managing partner of the Baltimore law firm Bates and Garcia, worked as a prosecutor in Baltimore from 1996 to 2002 before becoming a defense attorney. He campaigned on his experience and emphasized that the city needed a change of leadership with an ethical, transparent and effective prosecution.
Bates also defeated Thiru Vignarajah, a former deputy attorney general.
Violent crime has been particularly bad in Baltimore in recent years. There have been more than 300 homicides in each of the last seven years. Earlier this year, Maryland’s largest city experienced its deadliest January in nearly half a century with 36 homicides.
It took until Friday to call the Democratic primary for Bates because the margins were tighter and a larger number of mail-in ballots were cast in the race. The elections were held on Tuesday. Maryland law prohibits counties from opening mail ballots until the Thursday after Election Day.