Can an ex-cop oust Vallario?
Can a retired drug cop from Prince George's County oust the longtime delegate Joseph F. Vallario Jr., who has chaired the House Judiciary Committee in Annapolis for 17 years? It's possible. Police fraternal groups from across the state are expected to back Percel O. Alston, known as "Percy" in his primary challenge in September.
It could the first serious challenge that Vallario, 73, (at left, in a photo by The Sun's Amy Davis) has encountered since he became a delegate back in 1975. Vallario has incurred the wrath of police chiefs, prosecutors, victim's rights groups and women's organizations for repeatedly blocking legislation favored by law enforcement groups. He has stood in the way of proposed laws to broaden the definition of gang members, to stiffen gun laws and help get drunk drivers off the streets.
The defense attorney has been accused of putting criminals -- his potential clients -- ahead of the citizens, and Alston, a retired 24-year veteran of the Prince George's County Police Department and four-year head of its Fraternal Order of Police, calls that a "conflict of interest." He told me: "It seems that a lot of legislation that will affect him as a defense attorney is legislation he will oppose."
The latest flap came this month when Vallario shot down Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III and other police chiefs who want to change the way people who get tickets get court dates. As it stands now, drivers stopped by police automatically get a date assigned, and police say that means they're called into courtrooms for people who have no intent of showing up. Police want people who want to fight a ticket to request a date, believing they will be more likely to come to court. It could save Baltimore up to $100,000 a month.
In 2008, Bealefeld complained that Vallario's defense-lawyer stacked committee treated him and other city officials "pretty rudely" and that the "lines of reasoning" from committee members were "beyond the absurd." State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy, commenting on a watered down bill (done so to get through Vallario's committee) to allow witnesses scared to come to court to submit written testimony a "toothless tiger."
And this week, a woman's caucus complained that Vallario's "tyrannical leadership" has become intollerable.
Vallario's committee has the ability to shelve proposed laws before they get to the floor in Annapolis, and in an interview with The Sun's Julie Bykowicz, he defended the panel's work, noting they deal with more than 300 bills a year on the most sensitive of subjects, from sex offenders to gangs to gun laws.
Fed up police groups seem to striking backing back with Alston, who thus far has $25,000 in the bank, compared with $126,000 for Vallario. Seasoned cop versus defense attorney. Should be interesting.
Categories: Confronting crime, Courts and the justice system, Crime elsewhere, Top brass
Comments
I live in Prince George's County and have always heard stories about Mr. Vallario. I also thought they were just rumors however these last few articles I have read, I see that all that has been said about him seems to be the truth. It's a shame that he has been allowed to stay in office this long. I know Percel Alston personally and if there is ANYONE who can beat Vallario, Mr. Alston is that person.
Posted by: Maryland Monroe | March 12, 2010 10:42 PM
Just what we need - an ex-cop in the legislature to strengthen our police state.
Posted by: Civil Libertarian | March 14, 2010 11:30 AM
What a hatchet piece! Does anyone see the insanity that is taking place today. Almost everything is a crime today. Mr. Vallario resists that notion. And thank goodness. I won't be voting for Mr. Alston for sure.
Posted by: Barbara Stitt | March 14, 2010 1:59 PM
Bout time to change the guard.Looks like Md could use some cleaning as well as Washington GO BROTHER ALSTON
Posted by: 1bigdog1 | March 14, 2010 4:31 PM
Vallario has been in office for 17 years. He does not pass laws based on emotion which seems to be the driving force this year in law making. I'm glad we have someone protecting our American Rights. If you don't enjoy your freedom....move to China
Posted by: Brooke Ford | March 15, 2010 1:00 PM
Pretty interesting comments from Mr. Vallario's defenders.
I wonder what they think about drunk driving, just for a start. Del. Vallario apparently doesn't think it's a big deal -- he makes money defending people charged with drunk driving. Of course, some of those people have had the misfortune to kill innocent motorists in Prince George's County. But hey! We would want a police state, now, would we?
Posted by: David Robinette | April 20, 2010 1:11 PM