From guest blogger Justin Fenton:

Police union officials yesterday criticized the 25-year prison sentence given to man who pleaded guilty to shooting at four police officers in February 2007.

The case came with one quirk:One of the officers who was shot at had been banned by the prosecutor’s office from testifying in any city cases. The  Baltimore Sun has reported that  Officers Charles Hagee admitted to deceiving emergency dispatchers in a domestic violence case and is among a group of officers on a "do not call" list for city prosecutors – apparently even in cases where he is the victim.

So by going to trial, prosecutors potentially risked a three-ring circus involving Hagee's credibility. The plea ensured a conviction, albeit one that brought a sentence that could be considered light: Attempted first-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Though he pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted first-degree murder, as well as handgun violations, Brown may only serve about 12 years, followed by three years of probation.

Paul M. Blair Jr., the city police union president, said  he believed Hagee’s issues should not  have undermined the testimony of the other three officers. Prosecutors said they stood by the conviction and "always pursue cases in the interest of justice."

Here's the narrative of how the frightening incident went down, per court documents:

Two organized crime detectives were in the area of Hoffman and Federal streets on Feb. 2, 2007 when they observed what they believed to be a narotics violation. As they were watching, Brown and an unidentified man approached their vehicle, and asked if the officers were waiting for someone. The men kept walking and the detectives got out of their vehicle, announcing themselves as police. The men fled. The unidentified man got away, but Detective Kenneth Ross would encounter Brown in the 1800 block of Hope Street. Brown walked towards Ross, reaching into his waistband to remove a silver pistol and firing two rounds at Ross.

Brown ran south on Aisquith Street. Ross broadcast a description for the suspect, and Officer Jhonn Coronoa soon observed the defendant in the 1600 block of Aisquith and ordered him to stop. Brown fired multiple rounds at Corona, who fired his weapon at Brown.

Brown then ran between two houses and encountered Hagee and Officer James McShane. Brown fired his weapon at the officers, who returned fire. Brown was struck and collapsed in the rear of the1600 block of Aisquith. The officers recovered a silver Smith and Wesson and Brown was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital.