MARYLAND BRIEFING

Morris, 21, of Baltimore, is accused of fatally shooting Jeffery Wroten, 44, of Martinsburg, W.Va., during his escape from custody at Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown last year.

-- Associated Press

PRince GEORGE'S crime

MS-13 Member Given 35 Years

A member of the MS-13 street gang who was convicted of federal racketeering charges was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt yesterday to 35 years in prison, U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow also ordered that Edgar A. "Pony" Ayala, 29, be supervised for five years after his release.

In November, a federal jury in Greenbelt convicted Ayala, of Suitland, of charges that include conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.

-- Ruben Castaneda

2 Sentenced in Killing, Robbery

Two men who pleaded guilty to robbing and killing a State Department employee were sentenced to prison yesterday by a Prince George's County judge, State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey said.

Circuit Court Judge Larnzell Martin Jr. sentenced Robert J. Knight, 25, of the District to life in prison without parole. On March 16, Knight pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the slaying Nov. 9 of John W. Rashlich, 61.