Double Life Terms Without the Possibility of Parole: Judge Issues Lengthy Sentence to Man Found Guilty of Murdering Mother of Midshipman

An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge has handed down double life sentences without the possibility of parole in the case of Angelo Harrod (shown above-left photo), the 31-year old Annapolis man who was found guilty in November of murdering a U.S. Navy Academy Midshipman's mother (shown above, far right) nearly two years ago.  

Deliberations only lasted a few hours following the lengthy trial that began on November 28. During a hearing today, at the Circuit Courthouse in Annapolis, Harrod was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2021 fatal shooting of Michelle Jordan Cummings, and a consecutive Life sentence for the attempted murder of a man and woman, who investigators said were the intended targets. 

On June 29, 2021, at 12:21 a.m., officers responded to The Graduate Hotel located on West Street for report of a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers arrived and located an adult female victim, later identified as Mrs. Cummings.  Officers and emergency medical services personnel attempted life saving measures, but Mrs. Cummings was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

A preliminary investigation revealed Mrs. Cummings and her husband dropped off their son for the Naval Academy induction that day. Officials said she was sitting on a patio area at the hotel.  

 It is believed the shots were fired on Pleasant Street and traveled a distance before striking her multiple times. 

The Office of the Anne Arundel County States Attorney released the following statement:

"What was supposed to be a celebratory time turned into tragedy for Mrs. Cummings’ family that summer evening. Mrs. Cummings was a proud mother and loving wife who was taken away by senseless gunfire. May this prosecution and sentence show there will be no tolerance for these crimes in our county. I pray that the Cummings family will find peace and closure today."