25 years for man who stabbed pregnant babymom

Today the Honorable Judge Gale Rasin sentenced Morris J. Pettigrew, 20, of the 2600 block of Frederick Avenue to 25 years in prison for the April 19, 2008 non-fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, under indictment number 208179002. A Baltimore City jury convicted Pettigrew of false imprisonment, first and second -degree assault and reckless endangerment on September 15, 2009. Judge Gale Rasin sentenced Pettigrew to 15 years in prison for false imprisonment, 20 years suspend all but 10 years, with five years of supervised probation for first degree assault. This sentence is to be served consecutive to the 15 year sentence, for a total of 25 years incarceration. The state requested a 20 year sentence for each crime to be served consecutively. Upon release, Pettigrew is to be on probation for five years during which time he is to have no contact with the victim or her son and he must successfully complete a batterer’s program at the House of Ruth or similar program.

At today’s hearing, the victim provided an impact statement in court. Judge Rasin recognized her courage in coming forward to save herself and her child from Pettigrew’s control. Based on the new conviction, Pettigrew also faces a violation of probation hearing on November 17, 2009 before Judge Shirley Watts for a second-degree sex offense which he pled guilty to in 2003.

The victim testified to the following facts of the case. The woman and her 8-year old son went to visit Pettigrew at his residence in the 2600 block of Frederick Avenue on April 19, 2008. During the visit Pettigrew became agitated with the woman because she did not want to move back in with him. The victim testified that initially she did not call the police because she was in fear for the safety of her 8-year old son. Pettigrew then took a knife and stabbed her in the right upper back. The victim testified that even though she began to bleed profusely, Pettigrew refused to allow her seek medical assistance, instead he continued to make repeated threats to her, forcing her and their young son to accompany him various places, holding them hostage. Finally, on April 22, 2008 in the early morning hours while Pettigrew slept, the victim was able to call 911. Medic #1 responded and transported the woman to University of Maryland, Shock Trauma. As result of the attack, the victim who was 24 weeks pregnant sustained a bruised lip, broken rib (right side) and a stab wound on the rear right shoulder.