A Maryland MS-13 gang member who shot a man to death at point-blank range was sentenced to 10 years. Then, prosecutors ripped into the judge.
Prince George’s County Judge Darren Johnson sentenced 21-year-old Anderson Blanco-Diaz to ten years for the shooting death of 27-year-old Antoine Dorsey. Though Blanco-Diaz faced a life sentence, Darren was suspended all but 10 years after the defendant was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, and open wearing and carrying of a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure.
“To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement,” said State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “Honestly, I was disgusted. This family deserved justice. My office worked hard to achieve justice, and we got it from the jury, and it feels like it was taken away, unfortunately, by the decision of the judge,” said Maryland State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, according to WTOP.
On July 5, 2022, officers responded to Beaver Dam Road in Beltsville in the Beltsville Agricultural area after reports of a body was found by a passerby. Upon arrival, they discovered Dorsey’s body with a gunshot wound to the head. During the investigation, authorities found DNA evidence at the victim’s residence and cell phone data that identified and connected Blanco-Diaz and another co-defendant to the murder.
According to prosecutors, Dorsey had been shot at point-blank range while he was in a kneeling position. Witnesses told authorities that both men were associated with the MS-13 gang and carried guns. However, the judge departed from the prosecutor’s recommendation for the toughest penalty of life in prison and claimed the court had the capacity to consider other evidence not admissible in court during the trial.
“The court can consider evidence that was not admissible at trial. In doing so, the court, with regard to the first charge of first-degree murder is going to sentence the gentleman to life, suspend all but 10 years. The court is going below the guidelines which say life to life. But as stated, the court can consider things that the jury could not in making this determination,” said Johnson during the sentencing hearing, reported ABC 7 News.
The sentence sparked an outrage by prosecutors who believed justice had been denied for the victim and his family. In addition, the defendant is awaiting trial for charges of two counts of attempted murder and rape that took place over the summer while Blanco-Diaz was in county jail.
Johnson seeks to be elected to the Prince George’s County Circuit Court seat this fall. Though the judge is already a circuit court judge appointed by the former State Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland Constitution still requires Circuit Court judges to run for election.
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