Judge Allows Homicide Convict to Enroll in 2 Health and Wellness Programs

By Brooke Uzzell [former] - February 28, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects |

A Baltimore man convicted of homicide in 1991 was allowed to enroll in two behavioral health and wellness programs before Baltimore City Court Circuit Judge Kendra Ausby because of his outstanding behavior on Feb. 24. 

Woodrow Vines, 55, was sentenced to life suspending all but 20 years for first-degree murder, possession of a handgun in committing a crime, and having a handgun on his person in connection with an incident that occurred in 1991. He is currently on probation.

Vines was praised for his good behavior in the Maryland Wellness Program where he actively participated in counseling, health treatment, and other clinical services offered at the program in August of 2021.

Although no longer in the program, an expert witness from the program told Judge Ausby about Vines progression during his time in the program. The witness said Vines continues to keep in contact with the program as he progresses.

Judge Ausby listened as the defendant’s counsel, Deborah Levi, told the judge positive things about her client’s behavior. “He’s doing wonderfully, although before he was having housing insecurity, especially since his sister was about to lose her home,” she said.

To find adequate housing, Vines enrolled in the Second Chance Behavioral Health Program on Nov. 29, 2021, which provided housing for him that would last between six and 18 months. 

Another expert witness testified that at Second Chance Behavioral Health, Vines has the opportunity to have independent housing, allowing him to purchase and pick out his own apartment. The Second Chance Behavioral Health program offers wrap-around services, similar to those of Maryland Wellness, providing convicts with counseling, medical treatment, and on-site counseling services. 

In addition, Levi told the judge that her client wants the ability to be dually enrolled in the two programs. Expert witnesses from both programs agreed that the request was acceptable as long as it is not contingent upon Vines’ probation sentence. 

Judge Ausby granted Vines permission to participate in both wellness programs, citing that she looks forward to seeing how much he progresses during his next hearing.

Vines is scheduled to return to court for his next status hearing on Oct. 27.