GB man guilty of manslaughter | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

Todd Alan Poorman, 29, was convicted of manslaughter Monday in connection with the Nov. 4, 2005 shooting death of 28-year-old Michel Rousseaux, of Severna Parl. He was allowed to return home until he is officially sentenced Sept. 3 in county Circuit Court.

"He got away with murder," said Stephen McCruden, one of Mr. Rousseaux's best friends, arguing the proposed five-year sentence is not enough - particularly because Poorman already has served about two years of that sentence.

"This is worse than my son's death," added Sheila Rousseaux, Mr. Rousseaux's mother. "I am so disturbed by the message we are sending."

Poorman, who claimed self-defense in the shooting, entered an Alford plea Monday to manslaughter as part of the plea agreement. The plea allows a defendant to maintain his innocence while admitting that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. It carries all the consequences of a guilty plea.

Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Alexander offered the agreement last week as she saw more and more of her case fall apart.

Prosecutors initially charged Poorman with second-degree murder, manslaughter and two gun charges in connection with the death of Mr. Rousseaux, but Circuit Court Judge Paul A. Hackner threw out the murder charge last year during a five-day jury trial. He ruled there wasn't enough evidence of an intentional killing to let the jury consider the charge.

The jury eventually convicted Poorman of manslaughter and the gun charges, but Judge Hackner then tossed the manslaughter verdict. Jonathan H. Shoup, Mr. Poorman's first defense attorney, successfully argued in May 2007 that Assistant State's Attorney Frederick Paone prejudiced the jury by using the words "murder" and "execution" in his closing arguments.

Ms. Alexander took over the case late last year and prepared to retry the case later this month, only to see Circuit Court Judge Philip T. Caroom toss the gun charges on a technicality. The judge ruled that because the gun charges referenced a murder - not a manslaughter - the convictions could not stand. The gun charges carried a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence.

Ms. Alexander, Kristin Fleckenstein, spokesman for the State's Attorney Office, and John H. Robinson III, Mr. Poorman's new defense attorney, declined to comment about the case until after Sept. 3. Poorman, who remains on house arrest pending his sentencing, also declined to comment about the plea.

Poorman shot Mr. Rousseaux Nov. 4, 2005 inside his house at 8035 Crainmont Drive East.

Prosecutors said he left the apartment shortly after the shooting, but then called 911 and confessed. Poorman admitted shooting Mr. Rousseaux six times, but told homicide detectives he fired in self-defense.

Prosecutors said the two were arguing over an outstanding debt money.

Poorman told police Mr. Rousseaux came to his house, left, and returned 15 minutes later with a .357 Magnum Taurus revolver. Poorman said Mr. Rousseaux forced his way inside his house, There was a struggle, he said; Poorman ended up with the gun, he turned his head away and he fired.

"The last thing I wanted was to take somebody else's life, especially someone I've known for 20 years," he told detectives. "I was in a situation where I had to defend myself."

Prosecutors and Mr. Rousseaux's family - not to mention the original jury - didn't buy Poorman's self defense argument.

Ms. Alexander noted that the majority of the blood on the walls of the home was at knee level or below, proving that Mr. Rousseaux was on the ground when he was shot. She also noted that Poorman shot Mr. Rousseaux six times at close range - in the forehead, right shoulder, chest, left arm, middle back and right back.

About a dozen friends and family members of Mr. Rousseaux attended Monday's hearings. Many groaned when Judge Caroom cited a recent Court of Appeals decision and dismissed the gun charges.

Outside the courthouse, the supporters blamed Judge Caroom and Judge Hackner for letting a "murderer go free." They also voiced their displeasure with the State's Attorney's Office - although not Ms. Alexander - saying someone should have notice the paperwork error.

"The court system really failed us," said Rose Bell, Mr. Rousseaux's girlfriend.

Mrs. Rousseaux said the courts are too liberal and geared to protect criminals, not the public.

"There are no victim's rights," said Mrs. Rousseaux. "I believe (this case) made a mockery of our judicial system."