Thompson v. Maryland

Alvin Thompson, the appellant, was convicted by a jury of murder in the second degree and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Basil Thomas, sitting in the Criminal Court of Baltimore, imposed concurrent sentences of twenty years and five years, respectively. Thompson raises the following questions: (1) whether his reprosecution following a mistrial constituted double jeopardy, (2) whether there was sufficient evidence to support the convictions, and (3) whether the trial judge abused his discretion in denying a motion for a mistrial. The facts necessary for the opinion will be stated in the discussion of the three contentions.