Prosecutors said an accomplice also shot a man three times during the same home invasion.

Police raided that house two months after the break-in while investigating an illegal dog-fighting and drug-dealing operation.

Ambrose Rawls, 29, entered an Alford plea April 15 to first-degree assault, attempted robbery and use of a handgun during the commission of a felony. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain his innocence while admitting that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. It carries all the consequences of a guilty plea.

Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Alexander noted the brazen nature of the June 30, 2007, home invasion. She said Rawls and an accomplice kicked down the door to 85 Glenns Road as Kevin J. Green, Michelle Beswick, and two other women ran for cover.

She said Rawls went to the basement where he pistol whipped Ms. Beswick as he yelled at her to point him to "the money."

She said the alleged accomplice, Paul Anthony Walsh, went upstairs and shot Mr. Green twice in the chest and once in the hand. Green had to jump out of a second-floor window and hide in the woods behind his house to escape.

"This was a premeditated attack," Ms. Alexander told the court, arguing for Rawls to serve between 21 and 29 years in prison. She called Rawls "the muscle" and noted how police only arrested the pair after a high-speed chase.

Mr. Walsh, 40, of Severna Park is charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of Mr. Green. He is scheduled for trial Sept. 4.

Rawls offered no apology or explanation yesterday for why he targeted the home of Mr. Green. Ms. Alexander said she didn't know a motive either.

Police raided the house Sept. 7 after receiving a tip from neighbors the residents were running a dogs-fighting ring on the property. Police seized four full-grown pit bulls and a puppy - many showing injuries and scars from fighting - and said they caught Mr. Green in the bathroom with two baggies of crack cocaine and $600 in cash floating in the toilet.

Mr. Green, who claims the dogs weren't his and the drugs never existed, is charged with possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute and maintaining a dog-fighting premises. He is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 19.

Mark D. Wemple, Rawls' attorney, argued yesterday his client should be allowed to withdrawal his Alford pleas. Mr. Wemple said he overheard Mr. Green say in court earlier this year that Rawls was not the man who shot him.

Ms. Alexander said the state didn't think Rawls was the shooter. She said Mr. Green was upstairs and never saw Rawls. She noted Ms. Beswick's blood was on Rawls' shirt when he was arrested.

Circuit Court Judge Paul G. Goetzke refused to let Rawls withdrawal his pleas, saying they were entered knowingly and voluntarily.

Ms. Alexander yesterday noted Rawl's extensive criminal history, which includes six prior convictions in Baltimore City and Baltimore County for such crimes as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of cocaine and possession of a handgun. She also said Rawls was charged with several violent felonies over the years, but the Baltimore City State's Attorney Office chose each time not to prosecute.

Mr. Wemple said his client has been trying to clean up his life and even moved to Ocean City three years ago to get away from the violence. He said his client is working to earn his GED while in the county jail.

Judge Goetzke said he appreciated Rawls desire to clean up his life, but said he can not forget what happened last summer. He sentenced Rawls to 33 years in prison, suspending only five years. Upon Rawls release from prison, he will be on supervised probation for five years.

"Obviously Judge Goetzke saw this case for the horror it was," said Kristin Fleckenstein, spokesman for the State's Attorney's Office. "The time judge Goetzke gave (Rawls) was well deserved."