Tapes of the proceeding show Wilkinson issued the ruling after hearing Argote’s relatives testify that he controlled every aspect of their lives, keeping them isolated and subjecting them to various acts of violence in recent years.
Washington County, Maryland, Circuit Court Clerk Kevin Tucker, right, swears in Andrew F. Wilkinson as a circuit court judge on Jan. 10, 2020, as Wilkinson's wife, Stephanie, watches.
His adult daughter from a previous relationship said she spent most of her teenage years confined to her bedroom. She said Argote had cameras installed throughout the house and was “watching my every move.” During emotional testimony, she said he would beat her with a belt and other objects — “whatever he had close by.”
Argote’s wife described in detail how he rendered her powerless and mistreated their children. She wept while recounting how he would stuff a towel into their crying baby’s mouth. The conditions only worsened after he found out she planned to leave him last year, she said. Exhibits filed into the court record include photos of Argote smiling and posing with his children, riding bikes and swimming. In one photo, two of his children are sitting in their driveway next to a sidewalk chalk message that reads: “I love you Dad.”
Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert speaks at a press conference in Williamsport, Md. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said authorities are “actively working” to apprehend 49-year-old Pedro Argote for the “targeted attack” of Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson. But Argote failed to appear for the second half of the hearing last week. Instead, he called the courthouse saying he had a headache.
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