April 25

Judge Stephanie Lynette Royster, 45, passed away last night after a long battle with cancer. Last November Royster was appointed to the 8th Circuit for Baltimore City by Gov. Ehrlich. Prior to her appointment she spent 15 years working for the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office, most recently serving as Chief of Staff and Deputy State's Attorney. She went to Western High School and earned her BA in philosophy from Loyola College, then spent 10 years with the advertising agency W.B. Doner before earning her JD from the University of Maryland School of Law.

The Commander of the Northern District, Maj. Steven Lukaskik, has been reassigned to the property crime division. The new man in charge will be Michael Pristoop, formerly of the Western. And Maj. Richard C. Fahlteich is retiring again.

Blotter: three people were arrested and charged with attempted murder for shooting a 20-year-old man on Barclay Street March 28. And in the Western, a man was shot in the head and lived.

Burning victim Yvette Cade testified against her estranged husband and alleged attacker Roger Hargrave.

The trial of Donta Allen, accused of murdering Linda Trinh, has been postponed until September because the prosecutor is busy on another case.

County police are looking for five possible witnesses to the murders of Youani Alvares and Joel Gonzales, found in a field near Shelbourne Avenue. They were last seen at the Club Mate & Lounge in South Baltimore.

Wonder if Patricia C. Jessamy got the "little lady, you should know better than to leave things of value in your car" speech.

Oy vay, JZ. A "pitbull" was shot after allegedly attacking a child in Pasadena. Charges are pending against the "dogs owners." Here's the story in English.