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Lawmakers back tougher penalties for concealing deaths, dismembering remains after string of local cases
Summary
Committee heard victims' advocates, state's attorneys and law enforcement urge a new felony for concealing death and dismembering remains to close prosecution gaps when severe mutilation prevents determining cause of death; bill would increase maximum penalties and allow consecutive sentences.
The committee heard broad bipartisan support Feb. 11 for House Bill 674, which would make it a felony to intentionally conceal a death and willfully dismember, destroy or otherwise obliterate portions of human remains. Delegate Aaron Kauffman introduced the bill after prosecutors and investigators across multiple counties reported cases in which dismemberment and concealment hampered homicide prosecutions.
State's attorneys from Baltimore County and Prince George's County and the Maryland State Police homicide unit described cases in which bodies were…
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