Ex-Official in Pr. George's Gets 45 Years in Shooting

White said that he suggested he and Clark leave and that he got between Clark and Washington. He testified that Washington said, "I know how to get you the [expletive] out of my house."

Several months after the shooting, Washington left his homeland security post, and he was later granted medical disability from the police force. His disability benefits and police pension are not affected by his convictions, county spokesman John Erzen said.

The case has drawn attention in part because of past abuse allegations against Washington and because of his ties to County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D). Washington was a driver for Johnson during the 2002 campaign, and Johnson named him deputy director of homeland security two years later. The two are members of the same college fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.

After the shooting, Johnson distanced himself from Washington. "We are not friends," he said at one point. He also said that he "never promoted" Washington, despite having given him the homeland security position.

Yesterday, at a news conference, Marilynn Clark said of Washington's remarks in court, "I didn't want to hear it."

White said he accepted Washington's apology. "Justice has prevailed," White said.

During the four-hour sentencing hearing, Whalen also heard testimony about an incident in March in which correctional officers found a handcuff key in the breast pocket of Washington's orange jumpsuit shortly before he was to be transferred to the Calvert County jail.

Lt. Avery Johnson of the county corrections department testified that Washington provided two explanations for the key. In one version, Johnson said, Washington said he found it on the windowsill of his cell. In another version, Washington said the key was "planted," Johnson said. Corrections investigators have not determined how Washington got the key, Johnson said.

Also yesterday, Daniel Smart, a retired county police sergeant, testified about an incident years ago in which Washington became enraged at Smart's request that he drive an intoxicated man from a scene where officers were arresting drug dealing suspects. Washington went "from zero to 100, with nothing in between," Smart said.

The 45-year sentence is high for people convicted of the offenses of which Washington was found guilty: involuntary manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault and two handgun violations. A jury acquitted him of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

In court, Whalen said that Washington had put his police handgun inside the waistband of his jeans in anticipation of the furniture deliverymen's arrival. Whalen said White and Clark had begun working at 6 a.m. that day and had made numerous deliveries without incident.

Finally, Whalen said, Washington's voice in court yesterday -- when he struggled to maintain his composure -- was far different from that of the "very composed man" who told a 911 operator on the night of the shootings that he had been beaten.

Yesterday, as Washington was preparing to leave the Calvert County Detention Center, officers found that he had two binder clips and a paper clip, which are not allowed under jail rules, said Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans (R).

Evans said he did not know how Washington obtained the materials, which can be used to create weapons or pick locks, and Washington offered officers no explanation about how he got them. Evans said Washington might have picked them up from a table after meeting with his lawyers.

"You can assume all sorts of things, but who knows?" Evans said. "He's got a history of trying to do something sneaky."

Staff writers Rosalind S. Helderman and Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report.