Leopold Jury Likely to Be Seated on Thursday

Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold faces four counts of misconduct in office.

Opening statements in the trial of Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold—who is accused of tasking county police officers with his personal and political errands—could start as early as Thursday afternoon. Maryland State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt said the jury would be seated on Thursday, but he was not sure whether enough time would be left for pretrial motions and opening statements. It will depend on how quickly Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Sweeney can seat 12 jurors and four alternates. Leopold, a Pasadena Republican, faces a five-dcount indictment handed down by a grand jury in March that included four counts of misconduct in office and one count of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary. It alleges that …

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Protests Mark Start of Same-Sex Marriage in Annapolis

Church Circle filled with more than 250 people who came to protest a demonstration against same-sex marriage by the Westboro Baptist Church.

More than 250 counter-protesters greeted four members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) with signs, church hymns and cookies in Annapolis on Wednesday morning. The WBC group came to Maryland's capital to protest at the Anne Arundel Circuit Court on Church Circle against same-sex marriage. Maryland voters upheld a law legalizing gay marriage in November, but the law took effect Tuesday. Since state offices were closed for New Year's Day, Wednesday was the first time couples could marry inside the courthouse. Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of church founder Fred Phelps, sang songs and shouted that God sent the shooter to Newtown, CT, as Annapolis police officers kept passersby moving along the sidewalk in front of the …

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11 Children Find New Homes on National Adoption Day

Judge Laura Kiessling's courtroom in Annapolis burst into applause each time she finalized an adoption.

Ten-year-old Paige wished to be adopted when she pulled on the wishbone from her Thanksgiving turkey this November. On Thursday—less than a month later—she and her 6-year-old brother Camden officially became part of the Jones' family. "They are our Christmas gift," Tamara Jones said. The Jones, along with eight others, expanded their families as part of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court's sixth annual National Adoption Day ceremony. In total, 11 children found permanent homes. The day is part of a national effort that's helped nearly 40,000 children move from foster care into permanent homes since 2000. For first time mom Connie Mazur, the day couldn't come soon enough. She beamed as Judge Laura Kiessling signed the documents making 9-…

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Same-Sex Couples Can Now Obtain Marriage Licenses

The licenses will become effective on Jan. 1, 2013.

Pavement Scammer Sentenced To Two Years in Prison

Tommy Clack continued his pavement scams in North Carolina to fund $200,000 worth of court-ordered restitution payments, according to the State's Attorney's Office.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Paul Hackner sentenced Tommy E. Clack of Annapolis to two years in prison Wednesday for his role in a paving scam that targeted consumers and senior citizens throughout the county, a spokeswoman for the State’s Attorney’s Office said. Assistant State’s Attorney Marot Hoskins also told Hackner that Clack continued to scam residents in North Carolina as a means to pay for the $200,000 in court-ordered restitution or for other crimes he was convicted of in Maryland. Clack now faces similar charges in North Carolina for unlicensed jobs he performed there between March 12-15, and also additional charges in South Carolina, Anne Arundel State’s Attorney spokeswoman Kristin Fleckenstein said. Fleckenstein …

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County Courthouse a Popular Spot on Valentine's Day

Couples flocked to Circuit Court to tie the knot on the lovers' holiday.