Beyond MoCo: Capital Gazette Gunman Sentenced

Beyond MoCo: Capital Gazette Gunman Sentenced

Jarrod Ramos, the man who killed five people at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis in June 2018 was sentenced by Anne Arundel County Judge Michael Wachs to more than five life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Ramos pleaded guilty to 23 criminal charges in connection with the shooting but had used an insanity defense to claim he was not criminally responsible, according to ABC News. Ramos was found criminally responsible by a jury back in July.

The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office released the following statement:

“Today, justice was served for the Capital Gazette attack.

Jarrod Ramos was sentenced to five life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus a life sentence and an additional 345 years for the murders of John McNamara, Rob Hiaasen, Gerald Fischman, Wendi Winters and Rebecca Smith – and for the attempted murder and first degree assaults of survivors, Paul Gillespie, Janel Cooley, Phil Davis, Selene San Felece, Anthony Messenger and Rachael Pacella.

For the victims’ families and survivors, this day was a long time coming and closes what I hope will be the final legal chapter on a case that impacted the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County community and beyond.

But, I know the healing for all will continue and many will struggle to move forward.

As the State’s Attorney, being able to prosecute this case – alongside my co-counsel – is without a doubt one of my greatest privileges in serving the community. The responsibility was not one that I took lightly and I thank everyone who entrusted me and the Office of the State’s Attorney in securing justice on your behalf. Listening to the victim impact statements delivered in court and reading letters from the friends and family of the victims and survivors, was a powerful reminder that we cannot take for granted that we will have one more day to share with our loved ones. Today is the day to tell them and show them that you love them.

I would like to thank my co-counsel, David Russell, and James Tuomey for their contributions to this case as well as the staff at the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Department, Annapolis Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Dr. Gregory Saathoff and Dr. Sameer Patel from Maryland Department of Health for their professionalism and dedication to their work. Without dedicated public servants doing their very best, I would not be able to do my job well.

The heroes in this tragic case will live on in our hearts and will not be forgotten as long as we continue to share their story and honor their legacy.”