August 29

The death of a woman in the Southeastern Friday has been ruled a homicide (#177).

HoCo police are looking for Monti Mantrice Flemming, left, accused of killing 18-year-old Shaun Powell at a fight outside of a party.

The Managing Director of Hodes, Ulman, Pessin & Katz), Michael Hodes, has been charged with second-degree assault for shoving around a process server trying to serve him with divorce papers. Tsk!

Today Judge Roger Brown gave one Kirk "Poppy" Taylor 20 years for 2nd degree attempted murder, the use of a handgun in a crime of violence and being a felon with a gun. Here's the tale from the State's Attorney's office, related with exceptional detail and panache:

In June after trial by jury Kirk Taylor, 27, of 2200 block of Booth Street, was convicted of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault First Degree, Assault Second Degree, Use of a Handgun in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Reckless Endangerment, Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Conviction of Disqualifying Crime.

Kirk Taylor aka "Poppy" saw Robert Carter get into a fight with Poppy's close friend Jermaine Legins aka "Wiggles" at the end of a Labor Day barbeque during the early morning hours of September 6, 2005. After Robert Carter beat up "Wiggles," Carter's sister told him to leave the area. It was too late. "Poppy" came running out of the house with a gun toward Robert Carter as he was getting into his car with his pregnant girlfriend, Claudia. Robert Carter's sister yelled "No, Poppy, Stop, that's my brother." "Poppy" hesitated and then fired six shots at Robert Carter as Carter drove off. Carter was hit once in the side of his torso and drove to the hospital.

The day of the shooting, three witnesses identified "Poppy" as the shooter and "Poppy" did not turn himself in until two and half weeks later. At trial, the witnesses stated that they were mistaken. The State introduced evidence of a phone call of the Defendant referring to Robert Carter as "the boy I shot." [whoops! --ed.]

At sentencing, Robert Carter testified that he was friends with the Defendant still and that he did not want him to get 50 years. Robert Carter's father, Robert Carter, Sr., testified that the Defendant has torn his family apart from this shooting and asked the Judge to give him all the time he could. The Defendant's girlfriend and father testified on his behalf.

The State recommended that the Defendant get 30 years on Attempted Murder in the Second Degree consecutive to 20 years on Use of a Handgun in a Crime of Violence, consecutive to five years on Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Conviction of Disqualifying Crime.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Sean Ramseur, 36, and Johnny Tyrone Johnson, 43, for first-degree murder and other counts. Court documents allege that on July 12, 2006, an argument about money escalated to an altercation during which Ramseur and Johnson beat and fatally stabbed the victim, Gary Shipman. An arraignment is scheduled for September 27, 2006.

Malik Vandiver, 18, was found guilty of second-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony or crime of violence in the January 8, 2005 shooting death of Bayonna Cox, of the 2500 block of Francis Street. Assistant State's Attorney Mary Ann Burkhardt proved that Vandiver murdered Cox, 29, after she returned home in the early morning hours of January 8, 2005. Witnesses heard gunfire, and saw the defendant leaving the premises with a gun. The murder weapon was found later that morning at the home of the defendant's friend in the 4600 block of Homer Avenue. Sentencing has been set for November 13 before judge Handy.

The jury selection process began today in the case of Jason Moody; opening arguments may begin as soon as tomorrow morning. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Moody on charges of shooting and killing 26-year-old Kevin Shields in July 2003 at Cross Country apartments in front of his eight year-old son.

Derrick McFarland of NW Baltimore was shot and killed Sunday in VA as he tried to retrieve a stolen gun from a prisoner.

Ellis Hickman definitely stalked Rakiyya States. But did he also suffocate and bludgeon her to death, and set her apartment on fire?

What the?! Keith Spence of Baltimore was not only arrested for stealing his own car, but the police department sold his car at auction!

PA police will visit Loyola College today, trying to unravel the mystery of psycho grad student Garrett "I'm very excited about getting an eye for an eye" Alder.

An arrest in a shooting, lots of robbery and a man stabbed in Parkville in the Blotter.

By age 18, Tion Jamaar Bell of HoCo sexually offended a 13-year-old, shot 4-year-old Fahad Islam in Columbia, exposed himself to an inmate, was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, trashed his cell, spit on an inmate and now will be serving 15 years, TG.

The WP runs an action-packed profile of retiring FBI agent Brad Garrett.

DNR: Chistopher Forker, 24, drove drunk and was cited for possession of an undersized flounder, several boaters were charged with DUI and Vincent Mettle of Westminster upset his catamaran.

Un. Buh. Leave. Able. The Sun has published a story even fluffier than the "Birds of Home Depot." Hundreds of words about the 30th anniversary of the poster of Farrah Fawcett smuggling raisins in a red swimsuit. Because nothing newsworthy happens in Baltimore, editors have to fill space around the ads somehow, right?

Int'l ...
Did the NSA fake the suicide of Greek cell phone exec Costas Tsalkidis and Italian investigator Adamo Bove out of fear that they would reveal American wiretapping of European officials? BBoyNeko thinks so...