Midday

Today on Midday, we are going to talk about the case of Keith Davis, Jr., who is accused by the Baltimore State’s Attorney of murdering Kevin Jones in 2015.

Mr. Davis has already been tried four times for this murder. Two of those trials ended in hung juries. The other two, including the most recent one, ended in guilty verdicts that were overturned. Mr. Davis remains in jail while awaiting his fifth trial, which is currently scheduled for May, although it could be delayed.

This case has garnered a lot of public attention, largely due to the efforts of Mr. Davis’ wife, Kelly, and a passionate and vocal group of advocates who for years have been critical of State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby and the prosecutors in her office. These advocates have been working to bring the details of the case to wide attention.

One of those advocates is DeRay Mckesson, who joins us today. DeRay is an activist and co-founder of Campaign Zero, an organization founded to combat police violence. Campaign Zero has taken-up the cause of Mr. Davis, claiming that Ms. Mosby’s prosecution is due to what the group calls “vindictiveness and personal and political animus.” That was the language used in a motion to dismiss the case filed on March 8 by Deborah Katz Levi, the Director of Special Litigation at the MD office of the Public Defender.

We made the State’s Attorney’s Office aware of the fact that we would be talking about this case today on Midday. Citing that it is an on-going legal matter, they declined to participate in the conversation.

Here’s what’s happened in the case so far: Kevin Jones was shot to death in June of 2015, as he walked to work at Pimlico Race Course in Northwest Baltimore. In 2016, Keith Davis was tried on charges of armed robbery of a cab driver, a charge for which he was acquitted. He was, however, convicted of illegal possession of a firearm and sentenced to five years in prison. In 2017, he was charged in the murder of Kevin Jones. Davis’ trial in May of that year ended in a hung jury.

He was re-tried in that case several months later. In that trial, he was found not guilty of first-degree murder, but guilty of second-degree murder. That verdict was overturned because the court found that the prosecution had not informed the defense and the jury of the background of one of the witnesses, a jailhouse informant.

A third trial, in June of 2018, also ended with a hung jury. A fourth trial, in February of 2020 ended in a guilty verdict. Mr. Davis, who maintained his innocence, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. That guilty verdict was overturned because of problems with questions that were posed to potential jurors. Each of these trials were presided over by different judges, and prosecuted by different lawyers from the State’s Attorney’s office. Last December, Mr. Davis turned down a plea bargain that would have reduced his sentence to 15 years. As mentioned earlier, Mr. Davis remains in jail, awaiting a fifth trial.

We do not know whether or not Keith Davis killed Kevin Jones. There is certainly ample evidence that he did not, but two juries have been convinced by evidence at trial that he is responsible for Mr. Jones’ death. Ms. Mosby has said that prosecutors are pursuing this case to bring justice to Mr. Jones’ family. Mr. Davis’ supporters are seeking justice for him, as well.

(In an unrelated case, Mr. Davis has been charged with attempted murder for an alleged fight he had in jail with another inmate. That fight took allegedly place in June 2020. Mr. Davis wasn’t charged until May, 2021. The delay is cited by Mr. Davis’ lawyer as proof that Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby waited until Mr. Davis was granted another trial in the other murder case before charging him with something else. Again, this is according to a motion to dismiss his case filed on his behalf.)

Host Tom Hall notes that he has not attended the trials, and does not claim to know every detail of this complicated case. Tom has, however, read recent motions filed to the court by the State’s Attorney’s office and the public defender, Deborah Katz Levi, on behalf of Mr. Davis.

DeRay Mckesson is here to explain why he and his organization, Campaign Zero, think the case against Mr. Davis should be dismissed. DeRay is the host of the Pod Save the People Podcast and the author of On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope. In 2016, he was a candidate in the Democratic primary for Baltimore Mayor.

Tom Hall has known DeRay for several years, and believes him to be a thoughtful advocate for whatever causes he champions. He is happy to give him the opportunity to share his perspective and to respond to some of the points the State’s Attorneys have made in the motions they filed in this case a couple of weeks ago.

DeRay Mckesson joins us now on our digital line.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Today on Midday, we continue our election-year interview series, Conversations with the Candidates: 2022. Tom's guest is Ivan J. Bates. He announced last November that he is running in the Democratic primary for Baltimore City State’s Attorney.

Last Monday night, Thiru Vignarajah announced that he is joining the race. It is assumed that the incumbent, Marilyn Mosby, will seek reelection for a third term, but she has not made an official announcement, nor has she filed the paperwork to be on the ballot. A fourth candidate, Roya Hannah has announced her intention to run in the general election as an independent.

In 2018, Ivan Bates came in second in the race for State’s Attorney behind Ms. Mosby and ahead of Mr. Vignarajah.

Mr. Bates served in the United States Army, and in 1992, earned his BA in journalism at Howard University. He earned his Law Degree at William and Mary in 1995 and he was admitted to the Maryland bar that year. After clerking for Judge David B. Mitchell on the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, he was offered the position of assistant state’s attorney in Baltimore. He worked in the Juvenile Crime Division and later, the Homicide Division. Since 2006, when he started his own law practice, Bates & Garcia, P.C., he has been a successful defense attorney.

Ivan Bates is the divorced father of a young daughter. He lives in Locust Point. He is 53 years old.

We welcome your comments and questions for the candidate: Call us: 410.662.8780. Email us at [email protected], or Tweet us: @MiddayWYPR

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Tom's Newsmaker guest on Midday today is Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael S. Harrison...

The scourge of violence in Baltimore continues. Since the beginning of the year, the number of homicides and non-fatal shootings has outpaced the horrific numbers from last year.

The FBI has mandated that the city change the way it collects crime data. Will that change improve the efficacy of the fight against violent crime? (For more information on the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), click here.)

What does the BPD hope state legislators will do to help make Baltimore streets safer, and what financial help from the federal government can the department expect? And with the city’s top prosecutor standing trial in federal court in May, has the relationship between federal law enforcement and city police been damaged?

Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison joins us on Zoom from Police Headquarters in Baltimore.

We welcome your comments and questions for the Commissioner. Call us: 410.662.8780. email: [email protected]. Or Tweet us: @MiddayWYPR

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The Dirt Bike Tip Line is (443)-902-4474.
You can also send an email to: [email protected].
And check out the website: https://www.baltimorepolice.org/community/dirt-bike-violators.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

As Midday on the Arts continues, Tom's next guest is R. Eric Thomas, a playwright, author, screenwriter, and humorist who is a Baltimore native.

He has not one, but two plays that will be given their world premieres here in his hometown. They are both comedies. The Folks at Home opened at Baltimore Center Stage last night. Crying on Television opens at the Everyman Theater on May 31st.

Eric Thomas joins Tom on Zoom…

(Because their conversation was pre-recorded, we can’t take any calls or on-line comments.)

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Today, it’s Midday on the Arts. A little later this hour, we’ll check in with a playwright from Baltimore, R. Eric Thomas, who will premiere two new plays at two different theaters here in Baltimore this spring. Both Baltimore Center Stage and the Everyman Theater will be featuring his newest work.

But first, Tom welcomes to the show an extraordinary, Grammy Award-nominated musical artist, Nathalie Joachim. She's a Haitian American flutist, composer and singer, and she’ll be in Baltimore this Sunday afternoon performing a work that draws inspiration from her Haitian heritage, and other great Haitian women artists.

It’s called Fanm d'Ayiti, which means “Women of Haiti.”

To hear a selection from the work, "Papa Loko (Interlude, September 24, 1918)," click here.

Nathalie Joachim joins us on Zoom from Chicago.

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Natalie performs Fanm D-Ayiti with acclaimed string ensemble Spektral Quartet this Sunday, March 20th at 3:30pm, at Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218. It's part of the church's Community Concerts at Second series, presented in partnership with Komite D'Ayiti.

To register for this free event (and the LIVESTREAM), click here.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Today, it’s Midday on the Arts.  A little later this hour, we’ll check in with a playwright from Baltimore, R. Eric Thomas, who will premiere two new plays at two different theaters here in Baltimore this spring. Both Baltimore Center Stage and the Everyman Theater will be featuring his newest work.

But first, Tom welcomes to the show an extraordinary, Grammy Award-nominated musical artist, Nathalie Joachim. She is a Haitian American flutist, composer and singer, and she’ll be in Baltimore this Sunday afternoon performing a work that draws inspiration from her Haitian heritage, and other great Haitian women artists.It’s called Fanm d'Ayiti, which means “Women of Haiti.”To hear a selection from the work, "Papa Loko (Interlude, September 24, 1918)," click here.Nathalie Joachim joins us on Zoom from Chicago.

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Natalie performs Fanm D-Ayitiwith acclaimed string ensemble Spektral Quartet this Sunday, March 20th at 3:30pm, at Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218. It's part of the church's Community Concerts at Secondseries, presentedin partnership with Komite D'Ayiti.

To register for this free event (and the LIVESTREAM), click here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for a visit with Midday theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck, who joins Tom each week with her reviews of the regional stage.

This week, Judy spotlights the new touring company production of Dear Evan Hansen, the multiple Tony- and Grammy Award- winning Broadway musical that Judy first reviewed when it premiered at Washington's Arena Stage in July, 2015.

Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy, Tony, Olivier and Academy Award-winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal). Stephen Christopher Anthony stars in the title role.

The musical's new North American touring company production is now on stage at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre through Sunday, March 20. For ticket info, click here.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

It's Midday at the Movies, our monthly look at films and filmmaking, and Tom is joined again by two of our favorite movie buffs: Ann Hornaday, the film critic for The Washington Post and author of the best-selling movie-goers guide, Talking Pictures: How to Watch Movies; and Jed Dietz, the founder and former director of the Maryland Film Festival and the historic Parkway Theatre.

Today, on this special Oscars edition, Ann and Jed discuss the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's top contenders and their own predictions for which films, which actors and which filmmakers will take home the gold on Oscars night, Sunday, March 27.

And we welcome your predictions as well! Give us a call: 410.662.8780. email: [email protected] or Tweet us @MiddayWYPR.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

Yesterday, the Maryland Court of Appeals postponed the date for primary elections that had been scheduled for June 28th. They will now be held on July 19th. The deadline for candidates to file to be on the ballot has also been pushed back from March 22nd to April 15th.

The delays are related to the fact that various courts are hearing challenges to the re-districting maps for Congressional districts and State House and Senate seats that were passed by Democrats in the General Assembly, and which are opposed by Governor Larry Hogan and Republicans. Election officials worried that they wouldn’t be able to get ballots ready in time for the earlier dates.

Today on Midday, a conversation with a gentleman whose name will be on the ballot in the Democratic primary for Governor, whenever the election is held. In this latest installment of our series of Conversations with the Candidates: 2022, Tom's guest is Tom Perez, who has had a career in politics in elective office and in the executive branches of both the state and federal governments.

Mr. Perez served in the Civil Rights Division of the US Justice Department in the late 1980s, and he led that division during the Obama administration. He was elected to the Montgomery County Council for one term before his appointment as the Maryland Secretary of Labor during the O’Malley administration. In 2013, President Obama tapped him to be the US Secretary of Labor. He was also the chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017-2021.

Tom Perez holds an undergraduate degree from Brown University and a law degree from Harvard. He and his wife are the parents of three adult children.

Mr. Perez has chosen former Baltimore City Councilwoman Shannon Sneed as his running mate.Tom Perez joins us on Zoom from Takoma Park, Maryland.

You are welcome to join us as well. Call us at 410.662.8780. Email: [email protected] or Tweet us @MiddayWYPR.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

We turn now for a look at fiscal concerns at the local level with today's Midday Newsmaker guest, Bill Henry, who is the Comptroller of Baltimore City.

Mr. Henry, Mayor Brandon Scott and City Council President Nick Mosby hold the three city-wide elected offices in Baltimore.

In addition to his supervision of city-wide auditing, his oversight of several key departments and his role on the city's Board of Estimates, the Comptroller’s Office serves as a fiscal watchdog by keeping residents informed about how their tax dollars are being spent.

Bill Henry joins us on Zoom from his office in Baltimore's City Hall.

You're welcome to join us as well. Call us at 410.662.8780, email us at [email protected], or tweet us @MiddayWYPR.

Email us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.