I’m not sure what the article means by “dropped” but I can assure you the murder charge won’t be dismissed by the prosecutor. Even if a prosecutor knows a charge is bogus in a case like this they would generally rather go to court and lose than dismiss the case. If they lose in court they can always blame the judge and/or jury. (Racism!) If they dismiss the charge it is an admission they filed a bogus count. I do believe with this case they are on for the whole ride unless MD law provides that a judge can somehow dismiss such a charge prior to trial.
a judge would dismiss it, not the prosecutor
If you’re an atty and you are able to technically answer...(versus a civilian with an opinion)
If a “murder” charge is “downgraded” or the charges are “refiled” as much lower grade homicide charges, does that qualify as “dropping” the [original] charges?
“I do believe with this case they are on for the whole ride unless MD law provides that a judge can somehow dismiss such a charge prior to trial.”
A judge can dismiss the charges in a pre-trial hearing on the evidence. These charges each have conditions, and if they are not met, they cannot stand.
If they have a Probable Cause hearing, the judge may throw the charges out. She has to either have a PC hearing or a grand jury within 30 days.