Jessamy may have intriguing competitor in fall election
Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy may have a challenger in the fall election - and it's an intriguing one. 
Word is that former assistant U.S. attorney Gregg Bernstein is testing the waters, and Adam Meister at Charm City Current blogged that a reader had received a phone call from a pollster asking questions about a possible Bernstein candidacy. Bernstein may be best known for successfully defending state Sen. Larry Young against bribery and extortion charges.
But he is also the husband of Sheryl Goldstein, the director of the Mayor's Office on Criminal Justice, which is essentially the mayor's crime czar. In that role, Goldstein works closely with the police department and other law enforcement agencies, and is an integral part of programs such as GunStat and issues dealing with juvenile justice. Obviously, she has a lot of insight into the innerworkings of the criminal justice system, and that would include the state's attorney's office.
Goldstein was brought in during the Dixon administration and is a close ally of Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, and may have to step down or take a leave of absence if her husband's candidacy comes together.
Goldstein declined comment, and Bernstein could not immediately be reached. Jessamy, for her part, said she believes Gov. Martin O'Malley "recruited" Bernstein and said she confronted O'Malley with the claim at an event over the weekend.
"I've heard from a lot of different sources that he's been recruiting. I told him, 'I'm ready for it,'" she said. "I think I have an outstanding record; I'm going to run on my record. I don't know what [Bernstein] is running on, but my record, it's a good one."
Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O’Malley’s campaign, confirmed that Jessamy approached O’Malley at an event for the Associated Black Charities, but said it’s “simply not true” that O’Malley is behind a potential Bernstein candidacy.Jessamy was appointed in 1995 after then-State's Attorney Stuart O. Simms stepped down to head the state juvenile services agency, and she became the first woman to hold the position. A fiery leader, she's been a lightning rod for criticism over the years but hasn't faced much opposition come election season.
She ran unopposed in 1998, and in 2002 defeated two challengers in the primary - city councilwoman Lisa Stancil and lawyer Anton Keating - by capturing 45 percent of the vote. In 2006, current liquor board commissioner Stephan Fogleman mounted an unsuccessful challenge with the slogan of "fight crime, not cops," highlighting Jessamy's often-tense relationship with the police department.
Prominent defense attorney Warren Brown considered running in 2002, and thinks Bernstein has a legitimate shot if he decides to enter the fray.
He said few public defenders or state's attorney's have the name recognition or pull to mount a credible challenge, and that many prominent private attorneys can't justify taking a pay cut to run for public office.
"Pat Jessamy is a lovely lady, but I don't think there's any enthusiasm out there for her. She's just never really faced a formidable opponent," Brown said. "If [Bernstein] is talking about getting in the race, I can tell you [Jessamy] is going to have some problems."
Jessamy said she's active in the community and believes her office has been on the forefront of addressing issues that later become national criminal justice concerns. "Anyone who knows me knows that I get up every morning excited about what I do," Jessamy said. "I probably have more initiative, innovation and energy than any elected official in the state."
According to campaign finance records, Jessamy had $28,000 cash on hand as of January. Brown said Bernstein could easily match or exceed that in the coming months if he puts together a "well-oiled machine." Bernstein has until July 6 to file for the primary election. If he decides to run as an independent he would have to file a declaration of intent by July 6 and submit the rest of his paperwork by Aug. 2.
[Speaking of the campaign finance database, records show Bernstein contributed $250 to Jessamy's campaign in 2006. He's contributed the most money to Rep. John Sarbanes, with contributions of $500 in '06 and $1,000 in February of this year]
Brown said his concerns about the state's attorney's office remain today. "Morale is low, and their priorities are way off," he said. "You have prosecutors tying up courts for a bag of weed or a roach, where violent crimes keeping getting postponed to the point where when the time comes for trial, there's no witnesses, the case is old. They're missing the mark."
"She's had long enough to make an impact, but she really has not," he said.
Jessamy said she's "here to do my job."
"If everybody else did their job as well as I do mine, I think we'd have a better city," Jessamy said. "I'm hardworking, honest and fair."
Categories: Courts and the justice system, State's Attorney Campaign
Comments
Hoo Hooooooo! This could get interesting.
Posted by: Groundskeeper | June 18, 2010 1:19 PM
He'd get my vote,
Posted by: EmDot | June 18, 2010 1:38 PM
Just let me know where to send Mr. Bernstein's campaign contribution!
Posted by: City Redux | June 18, 2010 1:50 PM
I'd drop my lifelong independant affiliation and register democrat just to vote against Jessamy if a viable contender appeared.
Posted by: Josh | June 18, 2010 1:55 PM
It's about time someone--anyone--took on Jessamy.
Posted by: Andrew | June 18, 2010 2:00 PM
Great news, he has my vote.
We need a prosecutor in the state's attorney office, not a social worker.
Posted by: john | June 18, 2010 2:25 PM
I'm far from a Tea Party person, but this is one incumbent who's time may have come and gone. It may be time for a change.
Posted by: Jim Kotowski | June 18, 2010 2:29 PM
If she has done such a great job then we would not have the revolving door criminal system that exist in the city. She needs to go and her little office of yes men and women up there with her. It is clean house time in 2010 & 2012
Posted by: william | June 18, 2010 2:50 PM
Finally, someone is running against her. I will also drop my independent affiliation and register democrat in order to support anyone that runs against Jessamy. The states attorneys' office has been out of control for way too long. Their favorite words are "nolle pross" and "stet". You have people getting 6 year sentences for murder. People complain about the police but the reality of the matter is that the police have to arrest the same people over and over again because the states attorneys won't prosecute crimes. In my opinion Pat Jessamy is one of the biggest reasons that our city remains so violent and lawless. She should have been removed from office years ago. I have never made a political contribution in my life but I will be sending a check to Mr. Bernstein.
Posted by: Katie | June 18, 2010 2:57 PM
Run, Gregg Run! Best news of the day
Posted by: B-More Hon | June 18, 2010 3:14 PM
Go forth, Mr. Bernstein and may you win. It's awful it's too late for justice for Zack Sowers.
Fixed that for ya.
Posted by: Meekrat | June 18, 2010 3:20 PM
Jessamy-your fire can move on somewhere else..
Really really tired of the stats management in this city. Baltimore City claims arrest after arrest and big arrest numbers---trouble is its the same 5,000 people over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.............
Its so bad we got cops shooting citizens, samarai swords yielding college kids, and store owners beating down petty crooks with bats after their constant short weekend hotel stays in booking.
Posted by: job | June 18, 2010 4:34 PM
Finally! Jessamy is a poor leader and Bernstein would be good for this city.
One of the best things O'Malley did was increase the
salary of the Baltimore State's Attorney so a challenger would deem it worthwhile to run against Jessamy.
Just let me know the address to send the check to.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 18, 2010 4:59 PM
IT'S ABOUT TIME. START PACKING YOUR BAGS AND YOUR SIDE KICK BURNS AS WELL.
THE JOKE OF THE CITY IS THE SAO.
Posted by: Shaun | June 18, 2010 7:04 PM
There is no question that there needs to be change in Baltimore's State's Attorney Office. The quality of lawyer, from the top down, is largely inadequate. The hiring practices, staffing methods, promotions, etc. are meritless. It's politics at its worse. Take one day off and go watch the typical prosecutor in action. Poorly spoken, disheveled, unprofessional, and yet pompous. House must be cleaned. And for goodness sake, hiring should be based on important qualifications, like GPA, recommendations,quality of law school, and accomplishments rather than a first come first serve basis where the more qualified individuals are prematurely self-screened out.
But, Jessamy, nor her largely inept lawyers, are to blame for the city's crime. And Bernstein, excellent as he may be, won't solve our problems either. Everyday we read the stories of indictments, arrests, widespread investigations, etc. as if that's the solution. Tough on crime will NOT prevail. And to the extent that we are seeing reduced crime numbers, it's no more a function of effective policing/prosecuting than it is an effective process of gentrification (just drive down East Biddle Street, take a right on Wolfe- see all the vacants?) and forced relocation.
In the end, it's all politics. The poor will continue to languish in increasingly isolated pockets throughout Baltimore, and of course, in our prisons. Just remember, no kid is born bad. And ask yourself, if you were born into the situations that many of these kids are - the kids that are committing crimes - murdering people, selling drugs - would you have turned out any different? Problem is most people can't answer this question honestly.
Posted by: s | June 19, 2010 1:28 AM
Bernstein GAVE MONEY TO JESSAMY! Not in 1998, but in 2006 when most everyone already agreed she was an epic failure. Smells like opportunism to me.
Posted by: Cantonian | June 19, 2010 7:33 AM
Yeah, go watch your local prosecutor like "s" suggested - maybe you'll figure out that Jessamy has nothing to do with why things shake out the way they do.
More than 10,000 cases a year in District Court alone, handled by a staff of attorneys hamstrung by furloughs and reductions of an already miserly budget. Go see what sentences your duly appointed and elected judges are meting out just to get rid of the case and keep it from going to trial.
Until the city wins the lottery and can appoint double the number of judges, double the number of prosecutors, acquire double the amount of office space, courtrooms, and other resources, the constraints of sheer volume will compromise the quality of justice in this city, not Jessamy.
Posted by: R | June 19, 2010 10:11 AM
@s Yes, no kid is born bad, but poor parenting and an inner city culture that glorifies easy money and guns make kids bad.
Posted by: Frank | June 19, 2010 10:48 AM
To s: I think your assessment of the Assistant State's Attorneys is unfair. I am a defense attorney who works with the ASAs frequently, and the majority of them are good lawyers who are intelligent and well spoken. They are hampered by poor leadership, silly policies that don't give them discretion over a lot of their cases, and juries that won't convict. Even though the latter part goes to my benefit professionally, as a resident of Baltimore, it is confounding. While a few ASAs are unprofessional, most of the ones I have encountered are as good at what they do given the circumstances they have to work with. Maybe a new boss will allow them to shine.
Posted by: Crimdefense | June 19, 2010 11:17 AM
RUN!!!!! Jessamy is a disgrace. Hey, next time a cop murders someone in cold blood, how about we wait another 3 months to arrest the perp? And that's the expedited case.This is prime time for Zach Sowers to speak from the grave - against the racist, bigoted Jessamy.
Posted by: TheBaltimoreColt | June 19, 2010 11:58 AM
This is the best news for the city of Baltimore in a long, long time. Replacing Jessamy is crucial for the the city to reduce crime and see its full potential. I can't believe she has stayed around this long. The police are doing their job arresting the thugs; unfortunately the SA office would rather fight the folks in blue than the criminals, who end up back on the streets.
Please, Mr. Bernstein, run! How should I make out the check?
Posted by: monty_burns | June 20, 2010 2:17 AM
I hope that this isn't just wishful thinking because we need her out! @ Frank, I completely agree with you. Well said and appreciated, especially coming from the other side of the isle.
Wouldn't it be something if he also offered to take a pay cut?!I doubt that he would, since part of the allure of the job is that hefty salary (just over $220,000.00). But then again, maybe unlike his counterpart, maybe he will earn it. None the less, I would vote for him! Run! Run! Run!
Posted by: Bmore | June 21, 2010 2:34 PM
Dear Citizens of Baltimore,
Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy is a real piece of work.
She is "Bad News Bix".
I have been on COP events; accompanying the citizens are the Baltimore Guardian Angels.
I have done a lot of research on this group. They are for real. And I understand that Ms. Jessamy does not like what the Guardian Angels represent.
I may be wrong but I understand that she speaks negatively about the Guardian Angels and their leader in private?
The Guardian Angels, the organized neighborhoods and the Baltimore City Police can have a great impact on our city. They need your help citizens.
Call or visit your local precinct. The Baltimore City Police are ready willing and able to help you help yourselves!!!! These dedicated, hard working people risk their lives 24/7. And what do you do?
If you want help call the Baltimore Guardian Angels at 410-916-2215
Or contact Mr. Jack Baker one of the foremost authorities on organizing a COP program at jackbaker@sdpcrc.org
Put an end to her crackpot politics - i said politics - it certainly isn't law she is practicing.
Think about it Citizens
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | June 22, 2010 12:34 PM
I guess she doesn't do her job well. It's time for her to step down and give opportunity to new persons.
Posted by: Las Vegas Lawyer | June 24, 2010 5:09 AM
GREAT NEWS.Hopefully, he will put his hat in the ring for Baltimore City States Attorney.The voters of the City of Baltimore are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to vote for someone other than Ms Jessamy.It is too bad the Mayor did not look at her department and see the waste over the years on bringing frivolous charges on individuals and costing the taxpayers for the court's time and expense to taxpayers for pursuing those cases.
Goodbye Ms.Ritter, her deputy, enjoy your retirement, the citizens of Baltimore City will not miss you -you should have chosen your cases more wisely and a few more jobs may have been saved.
Posted by: Leo | June 24, 2010 10:45 AM
one thing is very clear from this article: Pat Jessamy is VERY good......at talking about how good she is.
Unfortunately, the facts don't back up her mouth. In her priorities and actions, she more closely resembles a defense attorney than a prosecutor (her infamous comment about "black men in chains" is quite telling). Her disgusting smear campaign against Anna Sowers (who had the temerity to critique her office's job performance) and overreliance on the superfluous Margaret Burns (why does a SAO need a "spokesperson"?!?!) are more good reasons to vote against Jessamy (Burns is actually kept around because she crafted the "blame the cops"/use the media strategy that saved Jessamy's job years ago.....Jessamy needs Burns....Baltimore city should dump both of them.
Posted by: Chris | July 6, 2010 10:56 AM