cester and much of the Lower
Shore, this week was named the
2013 Legislator of the Year by a
state association.
ored McDermott with its 2013 Legis-
lator of the Year Award. The MSSA
recognized McDermott, a career law
enforcement officer, for his efforts
during this year's General Assembly
session on introducing and helping to
get passed several pieces of legisla-
tion aimed at improving law enforce-
ment, prosecution and victim's rights
for example.
been named our legislator of the
year," said MSSA Executive Direc-
tor Steven Kroll. "Unanimously, the
Board of Directors of the Maryland
State's Attorney's Association voted
Mike our 2013 legislator of the year.
We enjoyed working with him in the
past and look forward to working
with him in the future on bills on
behalf of victims, witnesses, law
enforcement and prosecutors."
duced several pieces of legislation
during the recent session related to
law enforcement and the prosecu-
tion of crimes. Perhaps most no-
tably was the Sheddy-Bennett Act of
2013, which will greatly enhance the
penalties for accessory after the fact
in murder cases.
Pocomoke area dating back to 2007
after which the remains of the victim
were found buried under a Snow Hill
bed-and-breakfast after three years.
case. Bennett was a Delaware resi-
dent who went missing in Salisbury
whose remains were later discover-
ed in Somerset County.
public safety. According to the MS-
SA, his efforts have allowed more
cops to remain on the streets while
ensuring that all defendants have
access to legal counsel at every
stage of the judicial process.
payers tens of millions of dollars.
year," McDermott said. "Their efforts
as an organization in defense of
Maryland crime victims and the rule
of law have no equal in the General
Assembly."