* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Kraft, President Rawlings-Blake
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
In Support of the Family of Zachary Sowers in Their Search for Justice
FOR the purpose of respectfully requesting the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office to seek maximum sentences for the attempted murder of Zachary Sowers, and extending an expression of support to Mr. Sowers' family.
Body
Recitals
On June 2nd, 2007, Zachary Sowers was attacked in front of his home in the Patterson Park neighborhood. After beating him severely, his assailants took his cell phone, watch, and wallet. They fled the scene, leaving Mr. Sowers lying on the ground, unconscious. Mr. Sowers suffered serious brain injuries and currently remains in a coma.
Within 1 week of the attack, police arrested four suspects: Arthur Jeter, Wilburt Martin, Eric L. Price, and Trayvon Ramos. At the time of the attack against Mr. Sowers, Mr. Ramos had been released on bail after being charged with attacking a woman in Elkton, in February of 2007. All four defendants have been charged with attempted first-degree murder, robbery and related offenses in the June 2nd attack, and their trial date has been set for October 15th, 2007.
Mr. Sowers and his wife, Anna, were married in October of 2006, just eight months before he was assaulted. Together, they had recently purchased a home in the Patterson Park community. At the time of his attack, Mr. Sowers worked for the Johns Hopkins University and was pursuing a graduate degree at the Carey Business School of Johns Hopkins.
On August 5th, 2007, Mr. Sowers' friends, family, and neighbors came together for Neighbors' Night Out, an event meant to raise money for his medical bills and to send the clear message that violence will not be tolerated or ignored in their community. At that event, Anna Sowers and Mr. Sowers' mother, Kimberly, as well as other friends and family members, requested the City Council's support in seeking the maximum penalties in this vicious crime.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body respectfully requests that the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office seek the maximum sentences for the attempted murder of Zachary Sowers, and extending an expression of support to Mr. Sowers' family.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office, the Sowers family, and the Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr07-1469~intro/08Aug07
ccres/Sowers:em
dlr07-1469~intro/08Aug07
- -
ccres/Sowers:em