Man who killed city officer with concrete brick gets 10 years
Sian James was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday for hurling a chunk of concrete that killed an off-duty Baltimore police officer last year during a heated argument over a parking space, The Sun's Tricia Bishop reports.
James, 26, was charged with murder in the death of Det. Brian Stevenson, but a jury in April convicted him of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term.
His attorney said James — who was out on bail during the incident in a separate case charging him with the attempted rape of an ex-girlfriend — acted in self defense, believing the officer was intoxicated and going to shoot him and his friends.
Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams said the court was "beside itself" over the "senselessness of it all."
"We have a life that is lost," Williams said. "This did not have to happen."
Stevenson's wife was left to ask the court Wednesday: "What man now is responsible for our family? Who do we belong to?"
Categories: Courts and the justice system, Southeast Baltimore
Comments
Are cops allowed to pack heat while off duty and drinking? That seems a bit reckless.
I'm all for CCW for citizens under very strict rules. I don't trust someone behind the wheel after drinks why the heck would I trust anyone with a firearm drinking?
It sucks someone lost their life over a parking space.
Posted by: ironhide196 | July 28, 2011 10:59 AM
54 years for someone who shoots at others near Hopkins and happens to have terrible aim. I'm all for it--he got what he earned. But 10 years for a guy who kills another man via blunt force trauma because the assailant was upset over feeling disrespected? No justice here. No surprise either! What kind of a message does it send when everyone sees this guy get out on parole after 4 years? That you can get away with it in this city, that's what. The judiciary in the case appears as immature in its sentencing as the murderer was in his actions.
Posted by: JW | July 29, 2011 11:49 PM