Jarrod Ramos, Who Killed 5 Annapolis Newspaper Staffers, Was Sentenced To 5 Life Terms

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A judge on Tuesday sentenced the Capital Gazette shooter to five life sentences without the chance of parole, officials announced. Prosecutors added that the gunman, 41-year Jarrod Ramos of Laurel, also got an additional life term and an extra 345 years in prison.

Ramos previously admitted to fatally shooting five newspaper employees on June 28, 2018. The victims were:

• Editorial Editor Gerald Fischman, 61
• News Editor and Columnist Robert Hiaasen, 59
• Sportswriter and Editor John McNamara, 56
• Sales Associate Rebecca Smith, 34
• Community News Reporter Wendi Winters, 65

"Today, justice was served," Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a press release. "But, I know the healing for all will continue and many will struggle to move forward."

Ramos planned the attack after the Capital Gazette wrote about harassment allegations against him. That coverage led to Ramos' long-standing grudge against the paper and the eventual mass shooting.

The gunman pleaded guilty, but not criminally responsible, to all 23 charges on Oct. 28, 2019. This is Maryland's version of the insanity plea, the Associated Press reported.

That defense didn't hold up in court. A jury on July 15 found Ramos criminally responsible for the shootings. That means Ramos will head to prison, not a high-security mental health facility as he had hoped.

"Our criminal justice system worked," Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman wrote in a separate statement. "Thank you to all of the first responders, arresting officers, detention officers, court employees, and prosecutors in the State's Attorney’s Office. You have made our community safer and helped to restore balance to the lives of those closest to our five beloved truth-tellers."

Community Support

Maryland has rallied around the newspaper since the shooting.

On the third anniversary of the assault, leaders unveiled a downtown Annapolis memorial to the publication. The monument contains five pillars, one for each victim. These columns are surrounded by an inscription of the first amendment, which guarantees the freedom of the press. A plaque showing the front page of The Capital announcing the deaths completes the "Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial."

One of the victims, Winters, also posthumously earned a Carnegie Medal for trying to save her colleagues during the attack. Politicians similarly urged former President Donald Trump to give Winters the Medal of Freedom.

The survivors of the shooting have publicly discussed their scars. They shared their story this February on an NPR podcast miniseries called "Embedded."

Leaders on Tuesday mourned the victims, but they were also optimistic that the city could now start to recover.

"It is a sad day, but a good day," Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley stated. "I am hopeful that after more than three years since the shooting, our community can keep the memories of the victims alive while beginning to heal."

New Ownership

Tribune Publishing, the former owner of the Capital Gazette, eventually moved the outlet to a new office. The ex-owner then closed that newsroom and told employees to work remotely starting last summer.

In May, Alden Global Capital bought Tribune and all its publications for $633 million. The Anne Arundel County executive criticized the deal. He suggested Alden is known for its layoffs and tight budget control.

Two Capital Gazette employees recently accepted voluntary buyouts. Journalist Chase Cook tweeted on June 14 that he took the offer. Former Editor Rick Hutzell followed on June 19, announcing his departure from the publication where he spent 33 years.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.

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CAPITAL GAZETTE COVERAGE:

• Capital Gazette Memorial Unveiled, Attendees Cheer Free Press
• Opinion: Capital Gazette Shooting Memorial Embodies 1st Amendment
• New Capital Gazette Owner Bashed, Invited To Memorial Unveiling
• Tribune Publishing Agrees To Purchase By Alden
• Capital Gazette Shooting Survivors Will Be On Podcast Miniseries
• Victim Of Capital Gazette Shooting Earns Honor For Her Heroism
• Publisher Locks Capital Gazette Staff Out Of Office Before Rally
• Tribune Closing Capital Gazette Office
• Slain Capital Gazette 'Hero' Deserves Medal Of Freedom: MD Reps
• Wife's Gut-Wrenching Essay On Husband's Death In Capital Shooting
• Mikulski Seeks Medal Of Freedom For Slain Capital Gazette Writer
• Annapolis Shooting: Here Are The 5 Capital Gazette Victims

TRIAL COVERAGE:

• Capital Gazette Gunman Criminally Responsible In 5 Killings: Jury
• Capital Gazette Shooter First Planned To Blow Up Paper, Court
• Coronavirus Postpones Capital Gazette Shooting Trial
• Capital Gazette Shooter Pleads Guilty To All Counts In 5 Deaths
• Capital Gazette Shooting Suspect Jarrod Ramos Found Legally Sane
• Use Of Capital Gazette Shooting Video Debated In Court
• Mental Evaluation Ordered For Accused Capital Gazette Gunman
• Attorneys For Accused Newspaper Shooter Want Trial Split In Half
• Ramos Must Turn Over Jail Treatment Records: Newspaper Shooting
• Mental Health Evaluation For Jarrod Ramos Has Been Sealed
• Capital Gazette Shooting Video To Be Shown In Murder Trial

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