Armed Lothian Man Who Chased Girlfriend Into Oncoming Traffic Sentenced

LOTHIAN, MD — A Lothian man who threw his girlfriend to the ground, then chased her in a vehicle while shooting at her, will spend time in prison, prosecutors said Friday. Martin Luther King Jr., 27, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Laura S. Kiessling to 20 years in prison, with the first five years without the possibility of parole for first-degree assault of his girlfriend.

On Oct. 22, 2016, King argued with his girlfriend, became violent and knocked the victim to the floor. He then grabbed her by the sweatshirt, picked her up over his head, and threw her, prosecutors say.

Fearing further violence, the woman fled the residence in her vehicle. King chased her in his vehicle onto southbound Southern Maryland Boulevard. Authorities say King drove into the oncoming traffic lane, pulled up next to the victim, and fired multiple gunshots at her vehicle.

King pleaded guilty May 12 to first-degree assault and use of a firearm in a crime of violence.

"I would like to thank Judge Kiessling for showing that domestic violence will not be tolerated in our county," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a news release. "Mr. King is a repeat offender whose violent behavior leaves those around him in constant danger."

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