$20M Lawsuit in Shoplifting Chase, Death | Patch PM

Stories worth talking about tonight:

$20M Lawsuit Filed Against Mall in Shoplifting Chase, Death

A $20 million lawsuit has been filed against a store manager and Arundel Mills mall security guards for reportedly chasing a suspected shoplifter into a retention pond where he drowned. Tavon Talley, 26, of Baltimore died from accidental drowning in July 2014, police say. His family claims that the mall employees failed to help Talley, who struggled and then slipped under the water. At that point they made jokes and called a supervisor instead of calling 911, the lawsuit says.»»»Read more.

Judge to Deliver Verdict This Week in Freddie Gray Murder Trial

Closing arguments concluded Monday in the trial for Officer Caesar Goodson, who is accused of second-degree murder and other offenses in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Baltimore man who died in police custody in April 2015.

Prosecutors alleged that Gray died as the result of injuries suffered in the police transport van, which Goodson drove. Judge Barry Williams will reportedly render a verdict in the case Thursday morning.»»»Read more.

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MGM National Harbor Opens Hiring Center This Week

• Officials at MGM National Harbor, the destination resort set to open in Prince George’s County later this year, plan to begin hiring 3,600 employees this Friday.

Man Found Dead in Vehicle on I-95: Police

• Authorities are investigating the death of a man who was found unresponsive in an SUV on the side of Interstate 95 south Monday morning. The man was slumped over and pronounced deceased, according to police, who said he has not yet been identified.

Vandals Hit Middle School With Misspelled Graffiti

• Montgomery County police are still seeking the bad spellers responsible for costly vandalism to Poolesville Middle School last month. Among the graffiti left behind is the misspelled message: "8th Gade [sic] Rule," with a smiley face.

Fatal Industrial Accident Reported in White Marsh

• A worker died after being hit by a metal beam in White Marsh Saturday, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.

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