Over three years since the shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Md., in 2018, a jury in Maryland has found Jarrod Ramos criminally responsible for killing four journalists and a sales assistant.
According to the Capital Gazette, a jury ruled that Ramos was sane on June 28, 2018, when he fired his way through the newsroom, killing four journalists and a sales assistant.
“This is a really bittersweet day here in Annapolis,” Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said. “It’s the day we’ve been waiting for more than three years.”
Ramos’ defense attorney claimed he was too mentally ill and wasn’t stable or competent in fully understanding his actions. He had pleaded guilty to 23 counts in the case; however, Ramos pleaded not criminally responsible, Maryland’s version of an insanity plea.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Paul Gillespie, a photographer who narrowly avoided a shotgun blast, said after court. “I’m glad he’s going to jail.”
Now that a jury has found Ramos sane, sentencing will occur in about two months, with no date set. Prosecutors in the case have stated they would seek at least five life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
