Maryland Supreme Court removes Anne Arundel Orphans’ Court Judge Marc Knapp

In a ruling issued Thursday afternoon, the Supreme Court of Maryland removed embattled Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court Judge Marc Knapp from office, effective immediately.

A Maryland ethics commission recommended the probate judge be removed in an opinion published in March. In its opinion, the commission said Knapp “embarrasses the Maryland judiciary.” The Supreme Court, in its ruling, called Knapp’s misconduct “egregious.”

Knapp, reached Thursday afternoon, said he was “clearly not happy” about his removal.

The accusations against Knapp stem from his longstanding and highly public dispute with Vickie Gipson, who was the chief judge of the Anne Arundel probate court.

The dispute between the two spilled into public when they yelled at each other so loudly their voices could be heard through walls.

Gipson twice summoned county police to the probate court and applied for a peace order against Knapp.

The Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor unsuccessfully prosecuted Knapp on the criminal charge of illegally recording his colleagues. An Anne Arundel Circuit Court judge found the recording in question was illegally obtained by police, forcing prosecutors to dismiss the case.

Attorneys who investigated Knapp and Gipson for the ethics commission said both were “unprofessional” but labeled Knapp as the “aggressor.”

Last month, the Commission on Judicial Disabilities also referred Gipson to the Maryland Supreme Court, recommending her removal from the bench. Gipson declined to comment Thursday.

Voters elected Gipson and Knapp, and a third judge, David Duba, to four-year terms in 2022. A law degree is not required to run for the Orphans’ Court, and none of the three had practiced law in Maryland before.

Gipson is an attorney but not licensed to practice law in Maryland. Knapp got a law degree in his 70s after a career in finance. Duba taught social studies and worked as a chief of staff for two state delegates.

The Orphans’ Court in Anne Arundel County supervises the handling of estates of people who have died, regardless of whether they have a will. It also has jurisdiction over the guardianship of minors.

Knapp is already on the ballot for re-election. It’s not immediately clear whether the Supreme Court’s ruling would bar him from the office. Gipson and Duba are not on the ballot.

Knapp said the issue was now up to the voters. He said Thursday that “absolutely” he will keep running and wants to be re-elected.

The Banner’s Alex Mann contributed to this article.