Francisco Rodriguez

Maryland prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for one of two New York men who are charged with the murder nearly a year ago of Maryland State Police Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf.William R. Hymes, Howard County state's attorney, said officials filed the action against Eric Tirado today in the county's Circuit Court.Tirado, 27, is charged with first-degree murder, robbery and weapons offenses in the death of Wolf, 40, who was slain last March 29 in his police cruiser on Interstate 95 in Jessup.

The lawyer for a defendant linked to last year's killing of state trooper Ted Wolf revealed the existence of witness statements last weekthat allegedly implicate a co-defendant.Prosecutors have repeatedly pointed to Eric Tirado as the trigger man in the killing of Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf, who was shot March 29, 1990, during a traffic stop in Jessup. However, witness statements presented in court reportedly suggest that co-defendant Francisco Rodriguez may have fired the gun.Tirado's defense team presented the statements during two days ofmotions hearings last week in preparation for the June 3 trial.

AN editorial yesterday incorrectly stated the terms of a plea agreement for Francisco Rodriguez. He was convicted as an accomplice in the 1990 murder of State Police Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf. The deal called for Rodriguez to serve 15 years of a life sentence, rather than the full life sentence. The Sun regrets the error.THE MOST important goal for prosecutors in the 1990 slaying of State Police Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf was to incarcerate the person who pulled the trigger in that chilling pre-dawn crime along Interstate 95 near Jessup.

A Howard County prosecutor today told a Circuit Court jury that Eric Joseph Tirado shot State Police Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf twice -- once through the mouth -- while Tirado was stopped for a speeding violation on Interstate 95 last year.Michael Rexroad, an assistant state's attorney, began the task of convincing the jury that Tirado, 27, of the Bronx, N.Y., was the triggerman in the death of Wolf, 40, who was found slain in his police cruiser on March 29, 1990.Moments later, defense attorney Mark A. Van Bavel acknowledged that Tirado was at the scene when Wolf was slain, but suggested that Francisco Rodriguez, 21, also of the Bronx and charged with murder in Wolf's death, actually shot Wolf.

Moves Baseball ANGELS: Placed P Francisco Rodriguez on bereavement list. Recalled P Rich Rodriguez and P Derrick Turnbow from Triple-A Salt Lake. Optioned OF Julio Ramirez to Salt Lake. ATHLETICS: Activated P Jim Mecir from 15-day DL. Designated P Micah Bowie for assignment. DEVIL RAYS: Placed OF/DH Ben Grieve and OF Damian Rolls on 15-day DL. Recalled IF Chris Truby from Triple-A Durham. GIANTS: Placed P Jason Schmidt on bereavement list. Purchased contract of P Luis Estrella from Triple-A Fresno.

A recap of the Orioles' 3-2 win over the Twins yesterday: Nick the Stick Nick Markakis had two hits, including a two-run homer in the third inning, for his 17th multi-hit game this year. The right fielder extended his hitting streak to eight games, a span in which he is batting .406 (13-for-32) and has had five multi-hit games. The home run against Scott Baker was Markakis' fifth in 18 career games against the Twins. Going deep The Orioles were outhit by the Twins 12-7, but they made theirs count.

Today @Angels, 10:05 p.m., MASN2 *Starters: Dennis Sarfate (4-2, 4.00) vs. Angels' Joe Saunders (14-5, 3.09) Tomorrow @Angels, 10:05 p.m., MASN2 * Starters: Chris Waters (no record) vs. Angels' Jon Garland (10-6, 4.30) Wednesday @Angels, 3:35 p.m., MASN * Starters: Garrett Olson (8-5, 5.67) vs. Angels' Ervin Santana (12-5, 3.38) Friday Rangers, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 * Starters: Rangers' Luis Mendoza (3-4, 7.00) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (8-8, 3.35) Saturday Rangers, 7:05 p.m., MASN, Ch. 13 * Starters: Rangers' Vicente Padilla (12-5, 4.52)

Look out for the Phillies and Red Sox in the next few weeks. With the exception of Kevin Youkilis , they're starting to get their injured players back and seem poised to put themselves in better position entering September. … The Red Sox have Carlos Delgado trying to get ready in a hurry at Triple-A Pawtucket. It's fair to say he's motivated — he'll make $20,000 a month in the minors and could make $3 million if he joins the Red Sox. … The Rays aren't as worried as you'd think about Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis , who went on the DL with strained shoulders.

4 June 17, the Howard County Circuit Courthouse became the setting for one of the lengthiest, most publicized and expensive trials in county history.Seven weeks later, Eric Joseph Tirado, 27, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder of state police Cpl. Theodore D. Wolf.The 40-year-old state trooper was shot twice in the face while sitting in his state police cruiser in the early morning hours of March29, 1990, after making a routine traffic stop.