Md. Judge Slashes Award in Prison Bus Slaying

A judge in Baltimore has sharply reduced the damages awarded in the death of a state prison inmate who was murdered aboard a prison bus in 2005.

In a decision released Tuesday, Baltimore City Circuit Judge Sylvester Cox slashed the jury award to Philip Parker Jr.'s parents and estate from $18.5 million to $600,000.

Cox ruled that the Maryland Tort Claims Act limits the state's liability to $200,000 per claimant. He found that Parker's mother Melissa Rodriguez, father Philip Parker Sr. and Parker's estate were each entitled to the maximum amount.

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