Legal News Update: August 30, 2025

Baltimore, MD - The Circuit Court for Baltimore City and the Maryland Court of Special Appeals issued rulings and heard arguments today in several criminal law matters:

1. Tariq Abdoul Malik v. State of Maryland

• Appellant Tariq Abdoul Malik sought postconviction relief, arguing that the State’s use of comparative bullet lead analysis (CBLA) at his 2001 trial violated Maryland’s Criminal Procedure Article § 8-301. In addition, Malik challenged the exclusion of a key witness and asserted a Brady violation in his motion to correct an illegal sentence. Oral argument focused on whether CBLA evidence should entitle him to a new trial and on the trial court’s handling of exculpatory material.

1. Anthony Flood v. State of Maryland

• Following his conviction for distribution of “revenge porn,” Anthony Flood appealed the trial court’s evidentiary rulings. Today’s argument addressed whether the court properly excluded a defense witness and whether Flood’s motion to suppress evidence met the legal standard for overturning the conviction.

1. Additional Criminal Law Motions

• The court also considered:
  • A motion to stay discovery sanctions in a post-accident civil case arising from an October 2019 car collision.
  • A consolidated appeal addressing attorney’s fees under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.
  • Several motions to suppress and motions to correct illegal sentences in unrelated criminal matters, including claims of insufficient evidence and alleged Brady violations.

These cases underscore ongoing scrutiny of forensic methodologies, evidentiary exclusions, and constitutional protections in Maryland’s criminal justice system.