MD - Andrew F. Wilkinson, 52, state circuit court judge, shot and killed in home driveway, Pedro Argote, 49, suspect - Hagerstown, 19 Oct 2023

[Moonstrawbs]

This is just awful, seems like Andrew absolutely made the right decision in this case but sadly it's lost him his life. How terrifying for his family and for Pedro's ex-wife and children. I hope they get Pedro soon before he can harm anyone else.

 

[arielilane]

NOW: A tactical team is searching this building in Williamsport, Md at what appears to be a former tannery, as authorities attempt to find Pedro Argote, suspected of killing Judge Andrew Wilkinson Thursday night. A 4:30 p.m. press conference has been rescheduled for 5 p.m.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715825334694609254

 

[airportwoman]

Thanks for the updates.

 

[x_files]

I hope the ex-wife and children are somewhere SAFE. His goal is most likely to terrorize or even kidnap or kill them all.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In a news release issued late Friday, the Marshals Service said Argote has ties to multiple areas outside of Maryland, including Brooklyn and Long Island, New York; Tampa and Clearwater, Florida; Columbus, Indiana; and unknown cities in North Carolina.

Albert said Argote is considered “armed and dangerous.”

Wilkinson had presided over a divorce proceeding involving Argote earlier Thursday, but Argote was not present at the hearing, Albert said. The judge gave custody of Argote’s children to his wife at the hearing, and that was the motive for the killing, the sheriff said. The judge had also ordered Argote to have no contact with the children and pay $1,120 a month in child support.

The vehicle has been found but the suspect still missing in the fatal shooting of a Maryland judge - WTOP News

Authorities found the vehicle used by the suspect in the fatal shooting of a Maryland judge but asked the public to remain vigilant Saturday as they continued searching for the man.

wtop.com

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Somehow...broader laws to keep the identity of judges who have to sign off on volatile cases, should be kept anonymous.

 

[ifindedout]

Ex-wife of a man suspected in the killing of Maryland judge accused him of child abuse last year, documents show

A petition for a protection order also accused Pedro Argote of harassment, constant monitoring and threats over false claims of neglect.

www.nbcnews.com

The petition for a protection order, filed June 12, 2022 in Washington County District Court, also accused Pedro Argote, 49, of harassment via text messages, constant monitoring through security cameras and threats to take custody of their children, ages 12, 11, 5, and 3, over false claims of neglect.

In the petition, the ex-wife wrote there was no longer physical violence against the 11-year-old because during the most recent episode, she got in between the two and said that for him “to get to her he needed to hit me or kill me,” the petition says, adding that he tried to push her away.

 

[arielilane]

NOW: Nationwide manhunt ongoing for Pedro Argote, accused of killing Judge Andrew Wilkinson in Hagerstown Thursday according to the Washington County Sheriff. An SUV tied to Argote was found around 11 am in a 100 acre wooded area, the public is not in any risk, per sheriff.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715840102679585040

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715847691094085941

 

[Cryptic]

Somehow...broader laws to keep the identity of judges who have to sign off on volatile cases, should be kept anonymous.

Though I do sympathize with the sentiments, I dont think such a law would pass the constitutionality test due to the following amendments.

- The sixth amendment guarantees a public trial. One can make a pretty good argument that a trial presided over by a "masked" judge is not truly "public".

- The sixth amendment also allows one to face their accusers. One could extrapolate that this concept also applies to the ability to "face one's judge" as well.

- The 5th amendment guarantees "Due Process". One could argue that a "masked" judge prevents the defendant from examining whether he or she is biased and asking for a new judge (very rarely granted- but constitutional law is probably loaded with questions that are largely hypothetical). Thus, the defendant is denied their due process.

 

[Marysmith]

Though I do sympathize with the sentiments, I dont think such a law would pass the constitutionality test due to the following amendments.

- The sixth amendment guarantees a public trial. One can make a pretty good argument that a trial presided over by a "masked" judge is not truly "public".

- The sixth amendment also allows one to face their accusers. One could extrapolate that this concept also applies to the ability to "face one's judge" as well.

- The 5th amendment guarantees "Due Process". One could argue that a "masked" judge prevents the defendant from examining whether he or she is biased and asking for a new judge (very rarely granted- but constitutional law is probably loaded with questions that are largely hypothetical). Thus, the defendant is denied their due process.

It’s way too easy to look people up though. There’s a reason some DV victims don’t register to vote.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Though I do sympathize with the sentiments, I dont think such a law would pass the constitutionality test due to the following amendments.

- The sixth amendment guarantees a public trial. One can make a pretty good argument that a trial presided over by a "masked" judge is not truly "public".

- The sixth amendment also allows one to face their accusers. One could extrapolate that this concept also applies to the ability to "face one's judge" as well.

- The 5th amendment guarantees "Due Process". One could argue that a "masked" judge prevents the defendant from examining whether he or she is biased and asking for a new judge (very rarely granted- but constitutional law is probably loaded with questions that are largely hypothetical). Thus, the defendant is denied their due process.

I appreciate your input.... I knew there were specifics that I had not studied yet... I do want to try to do some research though... It just seems that there could be some approaches that might be breaking the constitutional tests, that could help somewhat....

 

[arielilane]

The US Marshals Service has announced a $10K reward for info leading to the whereabouts of Pedro Argote. Argote is accused of shooting and killing a #Maryland Circuit Court Judge @USMarshalsHQ

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715833866265539072

 

[Ebon]

Maryland man accused of fatally shooting judge presiding over his divorce

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (TCD) -- Law enforcement officials are searching for a man they allege shot and killed a circuit court judge the same day he awarded custody of the couple’s four minor children to the suspect’s estranged wife.

truecrimedaily.com

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (TCD) -- Law enforcement officials are searching for a man they allege shot and killed a circuit court judge the same day he awarded custody of the couple’s four minor children to the suspect’s estranged wife.

 

[MrsWatson]

Dad who allegedly killed judge hours after losing custody of kids posted about buying guns as new info about divorce emerges

A father who lost custody of his children and fatally shot the judge handling the case within hours of the court ruling had previously gushed about buying a gun and had a history of domestic violen…

nypost.com

 

[RickshawFan]

Though I do sympathize with the sentiments, I dont think such a law would pass the constitutionality test due to the following amendments.

- The sixth amendment guarantees a public trial. One can make a pretty good argument that a trial presided over by a "masked" judge is not truly "public".

- The sixth amendment also allows one to face their accusers. One could extrapolate that this concept also applies to the ability to "face one's judge" as well.

- The 5th amendment guarantees "Due Process". One could argue that a "masked" judge prevents the defendant from examining whether he or she is biased and asking for a new judge (very rarely granted- but constitutional law is probably loaded with questions that are largely hypothetical). Thus, the defendant is denied their due process.

I under stood the OP to mean that personal details such as home address be kept out of public records, not that the judge's identity should be concealed at trial.

 

[RickshawFan]

This little guy gives the lie to those who think physically dangerous folks are large-ish. IMO this man has a case of "small man syndrome".

 

[Marysmith]

Dad who allegedly killed judge hours after losing custody of kids posted about buying guns as new info about divorce emerges

A father who lost custody of his children and fatally shot the judge handling the case within hours of the court ruling had previously gushed about buying a gun and had a history of domestic violen…

nypost.com

I like how they refer to the relationship as “contentious” - with no allegations made about the wife at all - /s. It wasn’t contentious, he was extremely controlling and abusive.

 

[ifindedout]

This little guy gives the lie to those who think physically dangerous folks are large-ish. IMO this man has a case of "small man syndrome".

Danelo Cavalcante has already made us acutely aware of this possibility.

 

[airportwoman]

It’s way too easy to look people up though. There’s a reason some DV victims don’t register to vote.

My area has a "Safe At Home" program, which keeps this information offline and confidential.

 

[airportwoman]

So, they STILL haven't found him? I'm guessing he's either in hiding, or has "unalived" himself.