STATEMENT FROM STATE’S ATTORNEY CHARLIE SMITH ON FEBRUARY 11TH, 2022 FREDERICK POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING

February 17, 2022/in Press Release/by actualizedevs

“The State’s Attorney’s Office has reviewed the body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and the physical evidence collected from last Friday’s police-involved shooting. After reviewing all evidence and consulting with the investigators from the Maryland State Police assigned to this incident, my office has concluded that the use of deadly force by Officers Kristen Kowalsky and Bryan Snyder against Dominique Lamar Lewis was necessary and proportional. Therefore, it was legally justified under Maryland law and the standard put forth by the United States Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor. As a result, no charges will be placed against the officers.

As Dominique Lewis has pending criminal charges against him including the attempted 1st-degree murder of two law enforcement officers, we are unable to release the videos or provide further comment at this time. As done in previous police-involved shootings, a full declination report detailing the evidence and the decision-making process as it relates to the use of force will be released by our office upon the conclusion of the criminal case. Given the specific facts of this case, the decision to not release the videos is compelled by the rules of ethics, specifically Rule 19-303.8, which details the special responsibilities of a prosecutor as it relates to extrajudicial statements concerning pending criminal matters.

Mr. Lewis is expected to have a bond review in the Frederick County District Court upon his release from the hospital.”

– J. Charles Smith III

State’s Attorney

Frederick County State's Attorney's Office

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This morning, Mike Folio, SAO’s Manager - Youthful Offender Program and U.S. Military veteran, visited Chris Michaels Cruizin' Chris /Chris Michaels on Free Talk 930 WFMD for WFMD’s “Hometown Heroes Veterans Spotlight.” Mike has served the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office for 25 years. Mike reflected, “Over the years, when you see a young man or women turn their life around, it’s not just them but it’s the impact it has for the community and their families; you can’t put a cost on that.” Earlier this week, Mike announced his plan to retire at the end of this year. He says he is looking forward to taking a step back, taking a breath and enjoying time with his family. He ensures he will still be involved in the community throughout his retirement. We are truly THANKFUL to have Mike here at the State's Attorney’s Office for the past 25 years, and for all he has done to support Frederick’s young community members. Best of luck Mike! 930 WFMD Free Talk ... See MoreSee Less

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PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENOVEMBER 26, 2024MONROVIA MAN TO SERVE 17 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT, SECOND DEGREE CHILD ABUSE, SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT AND NEGLECTFrederick, MD – On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Honorable Judge Scott Rolle sentenced 46-year-old Christopher Kraft, of Monrovia, MD, for the crimes of First Degree Assault, Second Degree Child Abuse, Second Degree Assault and Neglect of a Child. A jury found Kraft guilty of these offenses following the conclusion of a three-day trial in Frederick Circuit Court on September 25, 2024. Today, Judge Rolle sentenced the Defendant to 25 years on the First Degree Assault, suspending all but 17 years to serve in the Division of Corrections. Additionally, he suspended a 15 year sentence on the Second Degree Child Abuse to run consecutively. Concurrent sentences were imposed on the Second Degree Assault and Neglect offenses.On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a request for a welfare check on a child. Deputies made contact with the witness, the child, and the Defendant. Deputies learned that just prior to their arrival, Kraft struck the child in the face, pulled the child to the ground and stood on the child’s stomach, threatening to crush the child. Kraft also placed a lock on the outside of a door in order to lock the child in a room and failed to provide for the needs of the child. Further investigation revealed that in a prior incident, the Defendant threw water on the child and then pointed a firearm at the child, threatening to shoot. State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said, “Physical child abuse can be every bit as harrowing as sex abuse cases. This was a terrible assault by a terrible person on a child. ASA Pearl was able to achieve justice for this child and our community with this lengthy sentence.”Upon release, the Defendant will serve four years of supervised probation with a number of conditions, including having no contact with the victim. The State was represented by Erin Pearl, an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Special Victims Unit.Press Contact:Jacqueline RottmannCourt Media Relations Officer 301-600-2972100 West Patrick StreetFrederick, Maryland 21701#### ... See MoreSee Less

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