Ok.

If you’re going to engage in drug-fueled police chase where you could be charged with resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, reckless driving, auto theft, and common nuisance – the smartest thing isn’t also to have a tattoo on your forehead that says “Crime Pays.” Not only does the tattoo make you look like a fool, it just invites the police to investigate you and the prosecution to want to file the most serious charges possible.

Here’s what happened:

Donald Murray from Terre Haute, Indiana is the one with the “ironic” tattoo. He was pursued by the Terre Haute Police Department based on his involvement in a similar chain of events just a few months earlier. According to VT, Mr. Murray was captured on camera, in December 2019, in a police chase where he crashed into a tree and then escaped on foot. The police posted the video on Live PD asking the public for information. Viewers who were familiar with his distinctive tattoo contacted law enforcement which led to his arrest.

Murray was released in January but was arrested for the second set of offenses in February 2020. Mr. Murray’s signature tattoo has become the target for many jokes about where crime does or doesn’t pay.

Yeah, okay – but can you sue?

No. Sorry.

Defenses to resisting arrest, drug possession, and car theft charges

While Mr. Murray’s tattoo seems reason enough for arrest, the truth is that there are potential defenses for a case like this, and statutory factors that may apply. Had he been arrested here in Maryland, these are some of the things I would look at:

  • The police may not have had grounds to believe he had stolen a car or was in possession of drugs. Without reasonable grounds or a warrant, their authority to chase him may have been invalid.
  • He may have obtained permission from the owner to use the vehicle.
  • The value of the car determines the length of the prison sentence and the amount of the fine.
  • The lab results on the drugs may be in error or the chain of custody of the drug tests may not have been followed.
  • He may have been acting in self-defense. (What? It’s possible.)
  • He had no reason to believe the officer was indeed an officer.

Other defenses may apply depending on what the police did and how they conducted themselves.

At Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, our Annapolis and Ellicott City criminal defense lawyers understand that many being stupid is not a crime. The prosecution must still prove its charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Our defense lawyers fight to have charges dismissed, to negotiate plea bargains, and to obtain acquittals. To review any Maryland state or federal criminal charge, call us at 410-271-1892, or complete our contact form to meet with a tough criminal defense attorney.

Just remember: Keep Calm – and Call Drew.