Newsroom shooting suspect ponders plea change

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Theman charged with killing five people at a Maryland newspaper office will get more time for his lawyer to consider filing a plea of not criminally responsible by reason of insanity, a judge ruled Monday.

Anne Arundel Circuit Court Judge Laura Kiessling said she had found good cause to give Jarrod Ramos’ lawyer until Oct. 24. William Davis, a public defender, requested more time last week to consider hundreds of pages of documents, review other material in the case and have discussions with his client. Ramos pleaded not guilty July 30.

After meeting with attorneys, Kiessling scheduled a jury trial for Jan. 15.

Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams said some uncertainty remains because of a potential plea change.

“Obviously we have to see everything that’s filed. We will respond accordingly based on what evalu- ations are provided to us and our own evaluations as the evidence dictates,” Adams told reporters when asked how he would respond to a plea of not criminally responsible.

Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ramos is charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John Mcnamara, Rebecca Ann Smith and Wendi Winters in the June 28 attack at the newsroom.