Intimidate the intimidators

You may have heard about the DVD called "Stop Snitching" that advocates witness intimidation and that emphasizes its point with an illustration on its back cover showing three dead bodies over the words "snitch prevention" In Baltimore, where this DVD is on sale, Ricky Prince, a witness to a gang shooting who had agreed to testify, was recently shot in the head. Organized crime's custom of eliminating witnesses has spread to street gangs. This may be happening because, as I have often complained, the punishment for witness intimidation can be absurdly light. In Maryland, it is classed as a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of five years. Gov. Robert Ehrlich is proposing to make it a felony, with a maximum sentence of 20 years. I hope he prevails, and that other states will follow.

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