Salisbury, MD - On February 16, 2024, the honorable Judge W. Newton Jackson, III, Senior Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, rendered a 35-year sentence to Brian Fitchett following the conviction of First-Degree Assault and Second-Degree Child Abuse. 

On January 8, 2024, a Wicomico County jury pronounced Fitchett guilty of the charges of both First-Degree Assault and Second-Degree Child Abuse. Due to certain deliberations requiring immediate attention, sentencing was held over to a later date, during which period Fitchett remained in custody.

This case stemmed from an incident on February 9, 2023, where a verbal disagreement led to a situation where Fitchett was asked to leave the premises by the victim in this case. 

Displaying signs of violent behavior, Fitchett choked the victim, almost cutting off her breathing completely. The victim was able to create enough distance to call her daughter for help. 

Fitchett's violent behavior did not stop there as he threw the minor against a window sill and pursued her as she attempted to flee. 

Fitchett then bit the victim's face, causing a permanent injury that required more than thirty stitches.

Reacting to the judgment, Wicomico County State's Attorney (SA) Jamie L. Dykes credited members of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for their thorough handling of the case, while extending special thanks to Deputy First Class B. Landing and Sergeant S. Lewis. 

SA Dykes also passed on commendations to Senior Assistant State's Attorney Heather Clarke for her tireless advocacy in this challenging case.

The case and its resulting sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the relentless commitment of our justice system to protect the vulnerable and punish the guilty.