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MAXIMUM SENTENCE IN NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER CASE

Date: May 30, 2025
Re: State v. Jared Anzelc and Shanna Anzelc

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Jared and Shanna Anzelc were sentenced in the Circuit Court for Harford County before the Honorable Judge Alex Allman following their prior guilty pleas in relation to a 2023 Driving Under the Influence incident resulting in the death of eighty-year-old Monkton woman.

Evidence presented in support of those guilty pleas proved that on May 7, 2023, after playing a round of golf at the Mountain Branch Golf Club, Jared Anzelc consumed alcohol at the bar despite being on probation for a 2022 conviction for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and being ordered to abstain from the consumption of any alcohol. After several hours of drinking, Jared called his wife, Shanna, and asked her to come to the golf club. When she arrived, Shanna blew into the interlock system installed on Jared’s vehicle, and he drove off while Shanna followed behind. Approximately 16.9 miles from the golf club, while traveling north on Norrisville Road near the intersection of White Hall Road, Jared crossed over the double yellow line, into the southbound lane. The victim was traveling in the southbound lane, and when she saw Jared’s vehicle heading towards her, she swerved into the northbound lane. Jared swerved in the same direction, causing a head on collision. The victim was airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, having sustained life-threatening injuries. She later succumbed to those injuries on May 10, 2023.

The victim’s family and friends were present in court for the sentencing hearings and gave emotional and moving victim impact statements both expressing to the court the impact of this tragedy, but also beautifully honoring her life. Ultimately, Judge Allman sentenced Jared Anzelc to the maximum sentence allowable by law for the Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle charge, fifteen years to serve, as well as an additional two years suspended for the DUI Per Se. Following his release, he will be subject to a five-year period of supervised probation. Additionally, Shanna Anzelc was sentenced to ten years, suspending all but three years to serve for Negligent Manslaughter by Motor Vehicle, acting as an Accessory Before the Fact. She will also be subject to a period of three years of supervised probation upon release.

Following the sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, commented: “This loss of life was a completely preventable and a senseless tragedy. Jared and Shanna Anzelc’s blatant disregard for the law and the lives of others on the road were deserving of these serious consequences. It is my hope that the finality of this sentencing can give this victim’s family a sense of closure after a long and tragic chapter of their lives.”

State’s Attorney Healey would like to express her sincere appreciation for Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Lintott for her unwavering commitment to justice in this case. Her fortitude throughout every step of this case ensured that this maximum sentence was achieved and Harford County citizens are safer with these Defendants off our roads. Ms. Healey also commends the Victim Witness Unit of the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, who worked closely with this family throughout the court process and is invaluable in supporting victims in these life altering events. Finally, she thanks Trooper Allen of the Maryland State Police for his investigation and Sgt. Rumaker for his efforts in accident reconstruction that was a vital piece of evidence in the prosecution of these cases.

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION IN 2024 JOPPATOWNE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING

Today, May 29, 2025, Jaylen Rushawn Prince, 16, of Edgewood, was convicted by a Harford County jury after three hours of deliberation of First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Crime of Violence, Minor in Possession of a Firearm, Dangerous Weapon on School Property, Loaded Handgun on a Person, and Handgun on a Person.

These convictions follow an eight-day jury trial, where evidence was presented proving that on September 6, 2024, first responders were dispatched to Joppatowne High School for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed the victim to be a fifteen-year-old male student who had been shot inside the school bathroom. He was immediately transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview where lifesaving surgeries were attempted but unsuccessful, and he later succumbed to his injuries that afternoon.

Further investigation of the incident identified the shooter to be Jaylen Rushawn Prince. Witnesses presented in trial testified that Prince and the victim were engaged in a verbal altercation after the Defendant followed the victim into the school bathroom to confront him over issues relating to a female student. One of the student witnesses present at the time of the incident filmed the confrontation where Prince is clearly depicted as the aggressor, threatening to kill the victim four times. Witnesses testified that they observed Prince remove the firearm from his backpack, cock the weapon and ultimately shoot the victim before fleeing the scene and disposing of the murder weapon, which was never found.
State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, who prosecuted the case with her co-counsel Anthony Baranauskas, offered the following comment after the verdict: “We are very proud today to have given justice to the victim’s family. At fifteen years old, his life was taken by this defendant far too soon in a place that is supposed to be safe for the children of our communities. There is absolutely no justifiable reason for a sixteen-year-old to be armed with a firearm, especially in the halls of our high schools. It is my hope that this case sends a clear message that if you make adult decisions that take the life of another, there will be adult consequences.”

State’s Attorney Healey would like to express her sincere thanks to Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony Baranauskas for his assistance in the preparation and prosecution of this case. She further commends Detective Ross of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and all of the members of the Criminal Investigation Division as well as all the members of law enforcement that responded to this tragic incident.

Sentencing has been set for September 2, 2025, where the Defendant faces a maximum penalty of a life sentence plus twenty-eight years of incarceration.

LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE SENTENCE IN 2022 EDGEWOOD MURDER

Date: May 1, 2025
Re: Sentencing Update – State v. Anthony Sean Ross

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Anthony Sean Ross, 32, of Nottingham was sentenced to Life without the possibility of parole plus a consecutive twenty (20) years to serve by the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen following his February 2025 conviction for First Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, and related firearms charges.

These charges stem from an April 2022 shooting where the victim, a 38-year-old Edgewood man, was murdered outside of his home when 22 rounds were fired in his direction, striking him in the back and ultimately, causing his death. Following the sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “Life without the possibility of parole is the maximum sentence allowable by law in Maryland and was absolutely appropriate for this senseless killing. Today closes a very long and grueling chapter for this victim’s family, and I hope they can find some peace knowing the Anthony Ross will never walk the streets of our community again.”

State’s Attorney Healey extends her praise and gratitude to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses and Assistant State’s Attorney Vincenzo Culotta for their perseverance and commitment to justice in this case. It is through their diligence and hard work that this maximum sentence was secured.

ABINGDON MAN CONVICTED IN 2024 BEL AIR MURDER

Date: March 21, 2025
Re: State v Angelo Terrell Spencer

On Friday, March 21, 2025, Angelo Terrell Spencer, 25, of Abingdon, pled guilty to First Degree Murder before the Honorable Paul Ishak in the Circuit Court for Harford County. Following the plea, Spencer was sentenced to Life, suspend all but seventy-five (75) years to serve in the Division of Corrections.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on February 22, 2024, the Bel Air Police Department was dispatched to a residence for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, Officers located a 73-year-old female victim in the foyer of the residence suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased while en route to the hospital.

The victim’s granddaughter was on scene and advised her ex-boyfriend, Angelo Terrell Spencer, entered their home and stabbed her grandmother. Members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate Spencer at his home, and he was taken into custody. After being read his Miranda rights, Spencer agreed to speak with Detectives and advised that on the night in question he was texting with the victim’s granddaughter and wanted to see her. He further advised that he went to her home and attempted to get her attention by “crunching branches” near the rear basement door of the residence. When that was unsuccessful, he got back in his vehicle and drove to the Bel Air Home Depot. Upon arrival, he observed a marked police car in the front of the store and waited for it to leave before entering and purchasing a glass cutter, pocketknife, and a pair of gloves. He stated that he then returned to the victim’s residence where he used the pocketknife to cut through a piece of the laminate material that was covering one of the windows of the rear basement door in an effort to gain entry to the residence by sticking his hand through the hole. He discovered, however, that the door was secured by a key lock deadbolt and was unable to unlock the door. Spencer then went around to the front of the residence and knocked on the front door. The victim answered the door and Spencer indicated to her that he was “looking for John.” The victim told him that she did not know anyone by that name, and at that point, Spencer forced himself into the home. Spencer further advised he then stabbed the victim in the shoulder, panicked, and continued to stab her multiple times. The autopsy of the victim revealed twenty-five stab wounds to her neck and upper back area.

Following the incident, Spencer told Detectives that he fled the scene, traveled to Bel Air Middle School to pick up his current girlfriend from work, traveled to H&R Block to get his taxes, and stopped at the Bel Air Safeway to wash his hands, before ultimately collecting his juvenile daughter from daycare and returning home.

Investigators were able to speak with Spencer’s girlfriend who corroborated his version of events following the incident. She further advised that she did not notice anything strange or off about Spencer, except that she found it odd that he called his juvenile son and stated he loved him and cried.

Following the plea, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “Angelo Spencer deserves every day of this sentence for the violent, unjustified, and brutal murder of this seventy-three-year-old grandmother. The premeditated steps he took to take her life are incomprehensible. I hope that her family can now have some peace knowing her killer has been held accountable.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy Brooks for his efforts as her Second Chair in this case. She further expresses gratitude to Detective Corporal Sam Vivino of the Bel Air Police Department for his thorough investigation, as well as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the apprehension of this Defendant.

CHILD ABUSE CONVICTION FOLLOWING THREE-DAY JURY TRIAL

Date: March 3, 2025
Re: State v. Douglas Grazuties

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Douglas Grazuties, 36, of Middle River, was found guilty of Second Degree Child Abuse, two counts of Second Degree Assault, and two counts of Reckless Endangerment following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on January 10, 2024, Child Protective Services was dispatched to a residence in Abingdon, Maryland regarding a safety concern pertaining to two minor children. Upon arrival, both children disclosed to Child Protective Services that Douglas Grazuties, their stepfather, physically harmed them almost every day. One of the child victims disclosed that Grazuties slapped them on the side of their heads, punched them in their faces and chests, and tripped them if they ran from him. They also indicated that in the past Grazuties struck them in the face, causing their noses to bleed, including an incident on one of the victim’s 7th birthday. The victim went on to advise that on January 9, 2024, the victim was playing with their sister in their bedroom when she put a toy in her mouth. Grazuties saw this and put a toy in one of the victim’s mouths, pushing the toy in with his fingers while saying “how does it feel to choke on something?” The defendant did this because he was angry that the victim was not watching his little sister when she began to chew on the toy.

The victim also reported to Child Protective Services that he was bleeding out of his ear during the interview. He further advised that on January 8, 2024, Grazuties asked him about his day and proceeded to hit him in his ear when he did not answer. The victim was later taken to Express Care, followed by the Upper Chesapeake Emergency Room by Child Protective Services on January 10, 2024, and was diagnosed with perforation of the tympanic membrane of his right ear. Doctors advised that there was a high risk of hearing loss associated with the injury without treatment. The other child victim was also seen at Express Care on January 10, 2024. He was also diagnosed with marginal perforations of tympanic membrane consistent with the abuse they reported. Child Protective Services also noticed bruising and redness on both victim’s faces and chests during their interviews. Following the conviction, the Defendant was taken to the Harford County Detention Center where he will remain pending sentencing which is currently scheduled for May 22, 2025.

After the verdict, State’s Attorney Healey issued the following statement: “Working with victims of child abuse is an incredibly challenging and sensitive area of the law. We are lucky to have one of the best Child Advocacy Centers in the State of Maryland, filled with professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping children. I commend these children for their bravery and honesty in coming forward and reliving their traumas, which ultimately led to the conviction in this case. I hope this verdict will result in a more peaceful future for both victims.”

State’s Attorney Healey also expresses her gratitude to Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Earlbeck, as well as the detectives, support staff, advocates, and social workers of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center that work tirelessly everyday to ensure the safety of Harford County’s most vulnerable victims.

DRUG DEALER CONVICTED OF MURDER IN RELATION TO FATAL OVERDOSE

Date: March 3, 2025
Re: State v Kusan Hines

On Friday, February 28, 2025, Kusan Hines, 43, of Havre de Grace, pled guilty to one count of Second Degree Depraved Heart Murder and one count Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in support of the plea proved that on October 12, 2023, Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to an apartment in Havre de Grace for a welfare check. Upon arrival, contact was made with the handy man for the property who reported that he arrived to fix the locks and could not gain access to the unit. Using a ladder to see into the apartment, he observed the male victim slumped over in the bedroom.

Deputies made entry and discovered a 33-year-old male victim deceased from a suspected overdose. Detective Armiger from the Harford County Drug Task Force assumed the investigation and located a glass smoking device commonly used for smoking Crack Cocaine under the body of the victim. The victim was then taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where a Forensic Toxicologist confirmed that he had a combination of Cocaine, Benzoylecgonine, Fentanyl, and Despropionyl Fentanyl in his system. Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Vincenti then performed an autopsy and confirmed that the cause of his death was Fentanyl, Despropionyl Fentanyl, and Cocaine Intoxication.

Through further investigation, surveillance videos from the victim’s apartment were reviewed which showed that a male, later identified as Kusan Hines, and a female, later identified as Kusan Hines’ girlfriend, arrive at the victim’s apartment the night of the overdose on October 11. The next video showed them leaving the victim’s apartment a bit later. They were the last ones to be at the victim’s apartment before he was found deceased the next day.

On November 16, 2023, Detective Armiger conducted an interview with Kusan Hines where he advised that he was friends with the victim and confirmed that it was in fact him and his girlfriend on the surveillance video entering the victim’s residence. He further advised that the victim had a preexisting mental condition that caused him to have hallucinations, that drugs made the hallucinations worse, that his mental condition was worse than ever, and the victim was admitted to the hospital for his mental conditions not long before the overdose. Hines further stated that he went to the victim’s apartment to cook crack cocaine and smoke with him. The victim smoked the crack cocaine most likely unaware that it contained the Fentanyl and Despropionyl Fentanyl and after smoking, he started “acting weird.” Despite this, Hines left with his girlfriend, leaving the victim alone in his apartment without seeking any medical assistance.

Detective Armiger was also able to speak with an independent witness who spoke with Hines regarding the incident. This witness stated that Hines came into the Fluff and Fold Laundromat the day after the overdose and kept repeating “It’s my fault, it’s my fault.” When asked what he was referring to, Hines said “I gave him too much.” This same witness confirmed that Hines was the only one that would deal drugs to the victim, since other dealers refused due to his mental conditions.

Following the plea, Kusan Hines was sentenced to 30 years suspend all but 12 years to serve at the Department of Corrections, and 5 years of supervised probation following release. State’s Attorney Healey issued the following statement: “I cannot say enough about the importance of this case and the precedent it has set for how we will handle future overdose cases in Harford County. I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Stuart Welch for his tireless efforts and collaboration with our Harford County Drug Taskforce to support the investigation and prosecution of those that deal drugs in our communities, especially in cases that result in death. To our knowledge, this is the first murder conviction in the State of Maryland related to a fatal overdose, and Harford County has now opened the door for this to become the norm. We will continue to seek even higher sentences in an effort to deter the distribution of these poisons in our community.”

State’s Attorney Healey also expresses her gratitude to Detective Armiger and the entire Harford County Drug Taskforce for their efforts in this investigation and for all that they do daily to ensure the safety of Harford County citizens. Their professionalism and skill are unmatched, and they should be commended for the very important role they play in Harford County’s public safety.

FELONY FIREARM CONVICTION AFTER BALTIMORE MAN IMPERSONATES POLICE OFFICER

DATE: February 13, 2025
RE: State v. Edward Renard Kyler Sr.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Edward Renard Kyler Sr, 42, of Baltimore, was convicted of Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction following a two-day jury trial before the Honorable Alex Allman in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in trial proved that on June 26, 2022, Deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office executed a search and seizure warrant in the 1100 block of Iron Bark Court in Bel Air, MD. The warrant was in furtherance of an investigation into Edward Renard Kyler, Sr. Kyler is prohibited from possessing regulated firearms and was reported to have some in his possession. A search of the residence revealed a black backpack belonging to Kyler, containing 3 BB guns, a Glock 9mm 10-round magazine (empty), a Glock BB magazine, a black handgun magazine with blank rounds, a CYTAC handgun holster, and a .22 caliber ROHM Model 66 revolver. A second search and seizure warrant of the Defendant’s vehicle revealed a black polo shirt labeled “SECURITY”, a black police-style outer carrier vest with attachments, “Security” patches, blue line flag patch, a Maryland State Police pin, 1 set of black handcuffs, an ASP-style baton, and four small light bars. Testimony given in trial revealed that Kyler was impersonating a Maryland State Trooper and was even observed pulling over a vehicle and representing himself as such while on a FaceTime call with his then-girlfriend. Following the guilty verdict, Kyler was sentenced to 10 years suspend all but 5 years to serve without the possibility of parole. Following his release, Kyler will submit to a period of 3 years of supervised probation.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “This defendant was clearly a threat to our community, impersonating police officers, violating our laws, and possessing firearms illegally with prior felony convictions. Removing these illegal firearms from a convicted felon’s possession ensures a safer community for all our citizens.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Lintott for her efforts in this case as well as Deputy First Class Snee and Deputy First Class Dixon of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation and testimony leading to this conviction.

NOTTINGHAM MAN CONVICTED IN 2022 EDGEWOOD MURDER

DEFENDANT SENTENCED IN 2024 HARFORD MALL SHOOTING

DATE: February 13, 2025
RE: State v. Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. – SENTENCING UPDATE

On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. was sentenced by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin following his December 2024 conviction for Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Being Convicted of a Disqualifying Crime, Loaded Handgun on Person, and five (5) counts of Reckless Endangerment in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The conviction stemmed from a June 2024 shooting in the Harford Mall, followed by a 28-day manhunt that led to Lyons’ arrest.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke argued for a sentence of 93 years to serve, sending a very clear message in their arguments that Harford County will not tolerate senseless acts of violence. Ultimately, Judge Adkins-Tobin sentenced the Defendant to 93 years, suspending all but 65 years to serve, the first 20 years of the sentence without the possibility of parole. Additionally, because this conviction is a crime of violence, Lyons will not be eligible for a parole review until at least half of his sentence is served.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated: “This significant sentence sends the message loud and clear that gun violence that endangers the lives of our citizens has no place in Harford County. Wesley Lyons will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, and I am incredibly proud of the hard work that my office is doing to ensure the safety of our community. As promised, we are trying cases, securing strong and lengthy sentences, and working hand in hand with our law enforcement partners to ensure the public safety of Harford County.”

State’s Attorney Healey continues to express her thanks to Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke for their incredible efforts in securing this significant sentence as well as to Bel Air Police Department Detectives Vivino and Marchesani for their partnership from start to finish on this case.

TWO SENTENCED IN FELONY CHILD ABUSE CASE

DATE: December 16, 2024
RE: State v. Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison

On Monday, June 17, 2024, Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison pled guilty to First Degree Child Abuse before the Honorable Judge Mickey Norman in the Circuit Court for Harford County. Harrison was sentenced that day to twenty years suspending all but fifteen years to serve. On Monday, December 16, 2024, Slaseman was sentenced, also receiving twenty years suspending all but fifteen years to serve.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on January 2, 2020, a seven-month-old child was taken to Johns Hopkins in cardiac arrest. The child was suffering from severe malnutrition, weighing less than eight pounds. Authorities immediately began an investigation focusing on the birth parents, Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison. Doctors kept the child at the hospital and determined that the child was not given adequate access to food. In less than four weeks, the child gained three pounds with regular and appropriate nutrition. After a series of delays in the case, several attributable to COVID and at least one due to each defendant’s failure to appear, both defendants entered guilty pleas to First Degree Child Abuse. The victim’s adoptive mother was present at both sentencing hearings and provided a statement to the Court, noting that the child who has now been entrusted to her care is thriving and is a light in her family’s life.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “I’m thankful today that this story has a happy ending, an ending where this innocent child is thriving, loved, and no longer suffering at the hands of her abusers. All the work we do is important, but in cases such as this, it is truly life changing. I’m so grateful for the incredible team of medical personnel, law enforcement, advocates, and prosecutors who stepped in to fight for this child and to ensure her safety, health, and growth moving forward.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed her gratitude to Assistant State’s Attorneys Jason Allen and Becky Malkowski for their tireless efforts in seeking justice for this child. She also thanks Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Dix, Department of Social Services Worker Kansler, and all of the dedicated staff of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center for the incredible work they do each day to protect our county’s most vulnerable victims, our children.