Gansler to Ask Supreme Court to Hear Law Enforcement Case

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is asking the Maryland Court of Appeals to issue a stay of its order for Maryland law enforcement agencies for certain crimes so he can appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, The Gazette reported.

In a 5-2 decision, the Maryland Court of Appeals overturned a home invasion rape conviction in the case of Alonzo King v. State of Maryland. The court's decision reversed the 2009 provision officials said helped them solve open investigations, according to Maryland law enforcement officials.

Howard County State’s Attorney Dario J. Broccolino, president of the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, said in a statement last week that the ability to collect DNA samples from suspects is an “important crime fighting tool.” 

William McMahon, Howard County Chief of Police and president of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association said in a statement that DNA collection as a tool, "has been invaluable in our effort and duty to keep citizens safe."

Public safety agencies across Maryland have been urging Gansler to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. Montgomery County and local police departments have been up in arms over the ruling, saying it is a major setback to public safety.