Former Anne Arundel County exec. denied new trial

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WMAR) - A judge denied a motion for a new trial by former Anne Arundel County executive John Leopold.

On January 29, a judge found Leopold guilty of two counts of misconduct in office, misfeasance   for the misuse of his executive protection detail.

The motion, filed on February 7, requested a new trial on the grounds the state did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt Leopold was responsible for the misuse of his executive order.

The motion also states too many separate acts were incorporated in one charge, thus not leaving the defense capable of defending them all. The motion states the "count was both unconstitutionally vague and overbroad both facially and as applied to the conduct alleged."

According to the motion, the actions of the former county executive were "constituting poor judgment and manners, unquestionably being ill-advised, the requests made for assistance of co-workers do not rise to the levels of criminality.

The motion requests a new trial or the judge to change the verdict to not guilty. 

According to the decision issued by the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, a new trial was denied because the court determined the motion did not have the grounds for a new trial or for the verdict to be changed.