The Jessup man who stabbed to death another man in a love-triangle confrontation was sentenced to the maximum 30 years in prison earlier today.
“He murdered someone, mutilated him and then went to get a beer,” Assistant State?s Attorney Stacy Mayer said in Howard County Circuit Court. “He has no regard for the human life he took that night.”
A jury found Adrian Maldonado, 23, guilty of second-degree murder in May. Maldonado stabbed Marvin Walter Harding, 39, four times in the chest during a November 2006 dispute over a woman outside the Copper Stallion Motel in Elkridge, according to court records.
Maldonado said he was acting in self-defense, but witnesses heard him tell the dying Harding, “Look at you, I told you not to mess with me,” according to court records.
“There is no evidence that this was just a fist-fight that grew out of control,” Howard County Circuit Judge Richard Bernhardt said.
“You?re a threat to this community… I don?t think parole is appropriate in this case, and frankly, I would deny you parole if I could,” Bernhardt told Maldonado.
The judge also denied Maldonado?s motion for a new trial.
Maldonado?s family spoke on his behalf telling the judge that he was normally a loving and caring person, but that his habitual alcohol and drug abuse changed him. They said Maldonado had abused alcohol, marijuana and cocaine since the age of 11 and never received treatment despite their efforts to help him.
Maldonado?s moderate criminal record, including six adult convictions before the age of 22, contributed to his sentencing. At the time of Harding?s murder, Maldonado was on probation for a felony theft and leading police on a car chase in a stolen vehicle.
“I don?t think there is any hope for this man,” Mayer said.
Harding?s family spoke about the man, whom they called “Bo,” and told the judge about his three sons, ages 19, 14 and 7, he left behind.
“I?m satisfied that he got the maximum sentence,” said Harding?s father, Walter Harding. “But nothing can ever fill that void.”
