Sentencing: The Final say

Show Notes

This true-crime story concludes with sentencing three years after the most violent attack on journalism in American history. In this episode, we hear the reaction to Ramos'  sentence from shooting survivors and victim’s families. The Prosecutor said convicted mass murderer Jarrod Ramos made it a one-sided fight. "He should not get the last word.”

Before sentencing Ramos, the Judge heard emotional statements from some of the families of the 5 people murdered in the newsroom of the Capital Gazette Newspaper on June 28, 2018. They asked for the maximum sentence, life in prison without the possibility of parole, so they wouldn't have to re-live their nightmare by being called on to testify if Ramos ever sought his release. 

Practicing lawyer and former reporter Chris Gordon ends by explaining why he came out of retirement to start this podcast. Gordon looks at the lessons this case teaches us about why and how this happened. And he tells us what the journalists who went through this ordeal would like us to do to protect the First Amendment.

What is Capital Gazette Murder Trial?

In late June 2018, five people were murdered by an active shooter walking through their offices at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland. Prosecutors say he blocked the exit so the victims couldn’t escape.

The defendant, Jarrod Ramos, pleaded guilty to the murders but his lawyers now argue he’s not “criminally responsible” — Maryland’s version of the Insanity Defense. Prosecutors contend that his attack was planned in a “calculating and methodical” manner because the paper wrote unfavorable articles about him.

Former TV reporter and lawyer Chris Gordon covered the crime. Now, he’s covering the trial in this exclusive podcast from Voxtopica and Chris Gordon News. Listen as he explains the impact of the testimony and evidence inside the courtroom, bringing his unique perspective to the trial.