No Bail for Richter in Shooting

Judge Floyd L. Parks of the Queen Anne’s District Court ordered Charles Edward “Pete” Richter Jr. held without bail. Judge Parks cited the first-degree murder charge against Richter as his reason for not allowing bail. Parks, a retired associate judge from District Court in Kent County, explained to Richter that bail could be considered again at a preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for May 4 in Queen Anne’s District Court. Richter is being held at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center.

Richter, 66, of 109 Emory Circle, Stevensville, is accused of fatally shooting his neighbor, Mark Xander, 55. Richter is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and use of a handgun in a felony crime. According to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened after Xander’s Rottweiler went onto Richter’s property. At the preliminary hearing, the state’s attorney’s office will present its case supporting the charges against Richter.

Defense attorney Stephanie Shipley asked that Richter be allowed to stay at a home in Howard County and be monitored by an ankle device until the preliminary hearing. She said it would alleviate any concerns of further violence associated with the incident. Shipley cited Richter’s lack of prior violent convictions and his career as a Baltimore City police officer in her request for bail for Richter. She said a “four-second trespass on a neighbor’s yard” was his only criminal conviction. Shipley said it was “not a cold-blooded murder,” that Richter was defending himself and his home and was threatened by Xander who had entered his garage when the shooting occurred. Richter’s wife Barbara witnessed the shooting and could corroborate the defense’s claim. Shipley also said Richter has a permit issued by the Maryland State Police to carry a handgun.

State’s Attorney Lance Richardson countered by saying the defense’s claim was not supported according to an interview of Richter’s wife after the shooting. Richardson said Richter poses a threat to his neighbors and the community, questioned his mental state, and asked that he be held without bond. Richardson said an ankle monitoring device would not provide ample security. Richardson also said the wife of Senator E.J. Pipkin, R-36-Upper Shore, previously had to seek a protective order against Richter. According to court records, Alisa K. Pipkin was granted a peace order in October 2004 that ordered Richter to stay away from her and her home. Court records show that Richter also was found guilty of using an off-road vehicle on public land in January 2008.

Judge Parks asked Richter if he had anything to say to support his release on bail. Richter said, “I was just protecting myself.”