Baltimore Co. Woman Lobbies Bills Inspired By Son's Death
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- The future of two bills inspired by her son's death brings a Baltimore County woman to Annapolis Wednesday.
Political reporter Pat Warren has more on what Chris Brown has at stake.
Randallstown teenager Christopher Brown died of asphyxiation after an off-duty officer allegedly took him for one of a group of teenagers who threw a rock at his door last June and chased him down.
The officer is charged with manslaughter. Christopher's mother wants more.
"I'm not just, my son, and finding justice for him, but it's just that we believe every officer should be trained in CPR training annually," Brown said.
She's on a crusade, knocking on doors in Annapolis Wednesday to encourage members of the House Judiciary Committee to vote in favor of a bill that seeks to improve police training in life saving skills, cultural diversity and use of force.
"We found out yesterday that bill might be under scrutiny and might be killed," she said.
Baltimore City Delegate Jill Carter is the bill sponsor.
"Believe it or not, over the last year there have been 18 killings of ordinary citizens by police," said Carter.
Carter tells WJZ the bill is meeting opposition from lawmakers who seem reluctant to challenge police policies.
"We're hoping that enhanced training and also calling attention to the gravity of the issue will help save some lives," she said.
"We want to be helpful," Brown added.
Supporters believe at a time when the state is on a path to abolish the death penalty, Chris Brown believes it should take every step to prevent outcomes like her son's.
"I believe that if he was properly trained they would have been able to head some of this off and that's what we're setting out to do," she said.
The officer charged with Chris Brown's death goes on trial in June.
A related bill addressed disciplinary action.
