Ramos attorney wants more time to plead
Extension is sought for man in Capital Gazette shooting
The attorney for the man charged in the shooting death of five people in the Capital Gazette newsroom in June is seeking more time to consider changing his plea.
The lawyer for Jarrod Ramos filed a motion in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court this week claiming there is “good cause” to grant him more time.
Public Defender William Davis wrote that there were more than 800 documents to review in the case, and some materials, such as crime scene photographs, have not been given to the defense yet. Davis wrote that he and Ramos need more time to review the records while considering the plea.
Ramos, of Laurel, is charged with five counts of first-degree murder and other violations in the June 28 shootings in Annapolis.
Five Capital Gazette staff members were killed: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, Rebecca Smith, Wendi Winters and John McNamara. Six staff members in the newsroom survived the attack. Ramos has entered a plea of not guilty. “In light of the nature and complexity of this case, the limited discovery disclosed to date, the need for a meaningful independent defense investigation, and the subsequent requisite consultation with the defendant, there is clearly good cause for this court to extend the filing deadlines,” Davis wrote.
Judge Laura Kiessling has set a conference meeting on the case at 9 a.mMonday in Annapolis. It is not clear if she will deal then with the extension request.
A spokeswoman for Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams declined to comment. Davis could not be reached for comment.
University of Baltimore associate law professor Amy Dillard said Davis’ motion serves as a notice to the court that Ramos might be considering a change to an insanity defense.
If Ramos were to change his plea to not criminally responsible, the Maryland Department of Health would interview Ramos and review his records before filing an opinion on whether he could stand trial and if he is a danger to himself or others.