On July 11, 2010, John Wagner murdered Stephen Pitcairn by stabbing him with a jackknife in the course of a robbery on the 2600 block of St. Paul Street. On August 17, 2011, a jury convicted him of first degree felony murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. On October 31, 2011, he was sentenced to life plus 20 years (the maximum) after Judge Charles Peters told him that he would show him the same mercy that he had shown to Mr. Pitcairn. This was the first murder trial I covered, and I fully agree with the verdict and sentence. In my opinion, Wagner is too dangerous ever to be let out of prison unless he is in such poor physical health that he can threaten nobody.
Wagner appealed his conviction to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and the decision upholding his conviction was filed yesterday. Here is a link to the opinion of the court:
http://www.mdcourts.gov/opinions/cosa/2013/2129s11.pdf
Joan Floyd was looking up another case and noticed this one. I want to thank her for letting me know that there was a decision in this appeal.
The opinion is lengthy, but it is very interesting reading.
Further appeals to the Maryland Court of Appeals or to the federal courts are possible.
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