Officer charged with
manslaughter, released without having to post bail
A Baltimore County police officer is back home with his
family after being charged with manslaughter in the death of a teenager from
Randallstown.
Officer James Laboard faces a charge of manslaughter, and a
charge of involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the death of 17-year-old
Christopher Brown.
Brown's mother said she had been hoping for a second-degree
murder charge, and a high bail. “And I didn't get it,” Chris Brown said. “I got
a slap. Telling me to hush hush. Tuck yourself under.”
Laboard was released on personal recognizance -- no money or
property in exchange for his freedom.
“But if it was an average person, there would not be any
doubt that it would be a 100,000 dollar bail on an average citizen who you know
has to put up their house,” Brown said.
In court, Laboard's attorney, Shaun Owens, argued that the
officer has family in the area, poses no flight risk, and has no previous
criminal record. “We’re very satisfied with the decision that was made as far
as the bail,” he said.
Four county police officers told the judge about Laboard's
character, as an officer and a father. “I guess what bothers me about that is
that they talked to me earlier, and they never called me and told me to come in
and tell the judge how you feel Ms. Brown,” Brown said.
In announcing his ruling, Circuit Court Judge Jan Marshall
Alexander said: "It's not a matter of leniency. It's a matter of what's
fair and appropriate.”
Christopher Brown's mother has a different view. “They didn't
even have to put up a bail. Boy, you didn't make it a fight no kind of which
way, so that lets me know that I have to,” she said.
If Officer Laboard is convicted of either manslaughter or
involuntary manslaughter, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
The charges are both felonies so he has been suspended
without pay.
Christopher brown's mother is calling for an external
investigation -- and she is organizing a rally in front of the state's
attorney's office in Towson this coming Monday at 6 o’clock in the evening.