The Baltimore Banner recently published an article highlighting that BGL client, Tyrone Jones, finally received compensation under the Walter Lomax Act for his wrongful conviction after a years-long battle for justice. Mr. Jones and Brown, Goldstein & Levy attorneys Neel Lalchandani and Catalina Odio spoke to The Banner about the victory.
In 1999, Mr. Jones was wrongfully convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He served 10 years behind bars before his conviction was vacated and charges dropped in 2010. In 2023, Mr. Jones sought wrongful conviction compensation through the Walter Lomax Act but was initially denied because the Act only covered felony convictions at the time. When Mr. Jones was convicted, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder was classified as a misdemeanor offense. Maryland law identifies most conspiracy convictions as misdemeanors, regardless of the sentence length.
BGL understands that advocating for justice for clients often extends beyond the courtroom. As such, the BGL team (led by Neel) – in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP) and Mr. Jones, among many other organizations and individuals – tirelessly worked with Maryland legislators to ensure this loophole was closed and individuals like Mr. Jones could be compensated. HB 1086, which went into effect on July 1, 2024, amends the Walter Lomax Act by expanding the class of people eligible to seek compensation under the Act.
Despite the amendment, prosecutors still opposed distributing compensation to Mr. Jones.
“We had always left the door open for communication with the State’s Attorney’s Office to try to reach a resolution that would save everyone a lot of time and energy, and most importantly, save Mr. Jones from having to go through another legal proceeding,” Neel told The Baltimore Banner. “But we weren’t getting any traction.”
Over the course of two days in January 2025, Neel and Catalina worked alongside Mr. Jones and co-counsel, Ralph Mayrell and Mark Russel, of HSF Kramer LLP, to fight for Mr. Jones’s right to compensation. They brought seven witnesses to the stand, including two expert witnesses, to debunk the prosecution’s case against Mr. Jones and deliver him the justice he deserved. They also prepared a presentation that spelled out the police misconduct, junk science, and inaccurate testimonies that led to his original conviction.
“Wrongful convictions happen all the time,” Catalina told The Baltimore Banner. “And at this point, we know what causes them. Some of the most common ones were dispositive in Mr. Jones’ case.”
Mr. Jones was finally awarded compensation and formally declared innocent on April 28. While this compensation cannot make up for the years that were taken from him, the ruling is a step toward ensuring Mr. Jones can pursue the life he deserves, for himself and his family.
Read the full story from The Baltimore Banner here.
RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Neel and Catalina’s victory on behalf of Mr. Jones here.
Learn more about BGL’s commitment to securing justice for those who were wrongfully convicted here.
ABOUT NEEL LALCHANDANI
Neel Lalchandani represents individuals, nonprofits, and companies in a diverse array of civil rights and commercial matters. Among other victories for his clients, Neel has helped secure several of the largest payments in Maryland history for victims of police misconduct, including more than $80 million for innocent men imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. Read Neel’s full bio.
ABOUT CATALINA ODIO
Catalina Odio’s practice includes cases involving civil rights, disability rights, housing discrimination, wrongful convictions, and police misconduct. She is committed to a career as a trial lawyer with a diverse practice, including public interest. Previously a fellow at Immigration Justice Corps, she represented low-income individuals and families in their citizenship, residency, and work permit applications, assisting clients from screening through final interviews before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Read Catalina’s full bio.
ABOUT BROWN, GOLDSTEIN & LEVY
Founded in 1982, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a law firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, with an office in Washington, DC. The firm is nationally recognized in a wide variety of practice areas, including complex civil and commercial litigation, civil rights, health care, family law, and criminal defense. Above all else, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a client-centered law firm that brings decades of experience and passionate, effective advocacy to your fight for justice.