MARYLAND, USA — In October 2023, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson was shot and killed by a man police say had just lost a custody battle in the judge's courtroom. The deadly shooting happened at the judge's home.
Months later, Wilkinson's widow spoke out in support of a bill that could make home addresses like hers harder to find.
"My heart is shattered when I think Drew's last feeling on earth was fear," Stephanie Wilkinson said.
Wiping away tears in front of lawmakers she summoned strength in hopes of tightening the law.
"I'm devastated that I lost my husband," she said. "But my heart is beyond repair that my children have lost their father."
On Wednesday, Stephanie Wilkinson testified before both the Maryland State House and Senate in support of two bills named for her husband.
"This was a close contact assassination by a disgruntled defendant who hated our judicial system and took it out on the judge in his case," she said.
Stephanie Wilkinson told lawmakers Pedro Argote started stalking her family online last summer when her husband, Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson, was hearing Argote's divorce case.
In October, police say Argote followed the judge home after Andrew Wilkinson ruled against him and shot and killed the judge in his driveway while his family was inside their home.
"My family is the victim of an attack on a cornerstone of our country, our judicial process," Stephanie Wilkinson said.
The "Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson" bills would make it a crime in Maryland to knowingly publish personal information about current or retired judges and their immediate families. Information like home addresses, license plates, or places of worship.
Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to 18 months in jail and, or a $5,000 fine.
"Threats to judges in Maryland have increased since Judge Wilkinson's assassination," said Matthew J. Fader, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Maryland.
While lawmakers had questions about protecting government transparency, most seemed to support the changes, similar to a bill that did not pass in last year's session before Judge Wilkinson was murdered.
"Please help make things right by supporting this bill," Stephanie Wilkinson pleaded. "By doing so, you will assure my children and the children through save that day in this domestic case, that he did not die in vain.
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