Suspects Charged for Alleged Role in Officer's Death

A grand jury indicted two men on Thursday for their alleged role in an Aug. 20 pursuit that ended in the death of Prince George's County police Officer Adrian Morris.

Kevon Neal, 23, of Fort Washington was charged with motor vehicle manslaughter, fleeing and eluding police, and theft greater than $10,000. Kenneth Mitchell, 25, of Washington, DC was charged with theft greater than $10,000.

Neal faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted, while Mitchell faces up to 15.

Morris, 23, was killed when his cruiser careened off I-95 near Powder Mill Road. According to police, he had been pursuing a silver Acura thought to contain two suspects who stole a purse at a Shell gas station in Laurel.

The car reportedly cut across multiple lanes quickly, causing Morris to veer off the road as he attempted to dodge braking vehicles.

Police developed information indicating that Neal had been the driver and Mitchell the passenger of the vehicle, which was determined to be stolen. Both were arrested within a week of the incident.

“We respect the grand jury’s decision today," PGPD Chief Mark Magaw said in a statement. "We believe it is the right decision. The loss of Officer Morris still weighs heavily on our hearts and minds.”

Neal remains on no bond status at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, while Mitchell is being held in the District of Columbia on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He, too, is on a no bond status.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Ofc. Morris was raised in Laurel and became a U.S. citizen in 2009. He was a 2 1/2 year veteran of the police department.

A funeral service was held on Aug. 28, at which Morris was posthumously promoted to officer, first class.