Richter Murder Trial Put On Hold

A circuit court judge put the case against accused murderer Charles Edward “Pete” Richter Jr. on the inactive docket after Richter waived his right to a speedy trial. Richter’s attorney advised his client not to demand that his trial proceed as had been scheduled, but rather to waive his right under the U.S. Constitution’s 6th Amendment to allow time for review of further evidence in the case. Richter, 66, a former Baltimore City police officer and 2010 candidate for Queen Anne’s County sheriff, is charged with first-degree murder in the April 3 fatal shooting of Mark Xander, 55, Richter’s neighbor on Emory Circle in Stevensville. According to the sheriff’s office, the shooting occurred after Xander’s Rottweiler had gone onto Richter’s property.