MARYLAND BRIEFING

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Trial of Corrections Official Delayed

A Fairfax County judge yesterday postponed the trial of a Prince George's County corrections official who was fired after she was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer. The trial is now set for April 4.

The misdemeanor charge stems from an encounter last month between Rose C. Merchant, then a deputy director of corrections, and a Fairfax police officer who was investigating a minor traffic accident involving a car registered to Merchant.

Merchant said yesterday that she has done nothing wrong. Authorities would not describe the allegations that led to the criminal charge.

-- Hamil R. Harris

Gunman Kills Man, Injures Another

Prince George's County police yesterday identified a man who was fatally shot Monday night in Oxon Hill as Xavier M. Benton, 25, of the 1400 block of Fenwood Avenue.

Police responded to calls of a shooting about 11:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of Birchwood Drive, where they found Benton and another man wounded.

Both men were taken to a hospital, where Benton died. The other man was treated for wounds that were not life-threatening, said Cpl. Clinton Copeland, a police spokesman.

Benton and the other victim, who was not identified by police, were shot by a gunman who approached the men as they stood outside a house, police said. An argument occurred before shots were fired. Police said they think the gunman targeted his victims.

-- Elissa Silverman

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Dogfight Materials Found at Home

Police officers in Montgomery County said they found six pit bulls and equipment for dogfight training at the home of a Silver Spring man. The dogs had apparent fight-related injuries and scars.

Police searched the home of Maurice Tyrone Collier Jr., 29, in the 3900 block of Ilford Drive after he was arrested Feb. 27 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. In his car, police found two loaded handguns and drugs.

At the home, police found a rabbit suspected of being used for pit bull agility training, as well as syringes and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Officers also recovered handguns, shotguns, ammunition and illegal drugs.

Collier was charged with offenses related to firearms, drugs and animal cruelty.

-- Associated Press

Panel Backs Silver Spring Music Hall

The Montgomery County Council yesterday recommended spending $2 million to create a live music venue in downtown Silver Spring, despite concerns among some members that the operator would pay below-market rent and that taxpayers could be on the hook for cost overruns.

County Executive Isiah Leggett's administration has signed a deal with music producer Live Nation to open a venue in 2010 at the former J.C. Penney site on Colesville Road. The project relies on $4 million in county funds and $4 million in state money.

Council vice president Phil Andrews (D-Gaithersburg-Rockville) urged colleagues yesterday to "send a clear message to the state that we support this project."

Leggett administration officials said they expect the venue to be a money-maker within six years. It would not require an ongoing subsidy.

Council member Roger Berliner (D-Bethesda-Potomac) opposed the deal. "This is not just a faulty process, but a faulty project," he said. Berliner and others have asked Leggett (D) to consider an alternative offer from Bethesda-based IMP, which owns the 9:30 Club in the District, that would not require any taxpayer funds.

The council's recommendation yesterday is an indication of how it intends to vote on the county's capital budget for bricks-and-mortar projects this spring.

-- Ann E. Marimow