Maryland’s highest court has overturned a 2009 first-degree murder conviction saying that now Delegate Mike McDermott improperly interrogated the suspect when he was a detective with the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.
The court said that McDermott continued to question Charles Phillips even when he said he wanted a lawyer.
Phillips was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the 2008 stabbing death of 77-year-old William Nibblett.
McDermott told the Salisbury Daily Times that he obviously disagrees with the court’s decision suggesting that the Court of Appeals in Maryland has liberal leanings.
The Eastern Shore Republican said it was up to the state’s attorney as to whether to appeal the decision that could go to the US Supreme Court.
Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby said his office will explore that option but will also look at retrying the first degree murder case.
