Md. Prosecutor To Testify On Mass Violence Threats

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The top prosecutor in Prince George's County will be testifying before Maryland lawmakers about the need to criminalize threats of mass violence.

State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks is expected to appear Wednesday before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

She'll be testifying in support of legislation that would make it a misdemeanor crime for someone to threaten an act of violence against five or more people. The bill carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence, and anyone found guilty would be required to pay the cost of the public safety response.

Prosecutors say the bill was inspired in part by a 2012 case in which a man accused of threatening violence against his employer was charged with misuse of a telephone. The case was ultimately dismissed.