Sheriff's Office Says It's Target of 'Inaccurate Rumors'

The Carroll County sheriff's office, accused of incompetence in a murder case in which the Carroll County state's attorney said he was forced to drop the charges, issued a statement Friday that it has been the subject of "inaccurate rumors and innuendos."

"Sheriff’s office personnel are cooperating fully with an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct" being conducted by the Office of the Maryland state prosecutor, read the release by Maj. Phil Kasten to news outlets via e-mail.

The statement said Sheriff Kenneth Tregoning requested the investigation in October following motion hearings involving alleged perjury by an office investigator and senior staff member.

"Unfortunately the absence of public information created by the necessary protections built into the judicial process, and the lack of our direct involvement in the independent investigation has fostered inaccurate rumors and innuendos in relation to the dismissal of criminal charges for the 2010 death of Jeremiah DeMario," Kasten said.

"Until the results of this independent investigation are known, any further comments would be based on speculation rather than fact.

"We regret the disposition of this serious case. We grieve for the DeMario family along with all victims of crime. Our main objective remains unchanged - the delivery of professional public safety services in partnership with our allied criminal justice agencies." 

Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes in the September 2010 stabbing death of DeMario, of Hampstead, saying the fault of that action lies with the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.

The trial was set to begin Monday, March 12.