August 31

Believe it or not, there were only two murders last week. Current toll, 184.

Montese L. Thompson, 22, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning before the Honorable Wanda Keyes Heard, Courthouse East. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Thompson August 2 for first-degree murder and deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection with the beating death of Verna Brown, 35. Court documents allege that on June 28 Thompson beat Brown to death in the 1800 block of North Montford Avenue. Thompson assaulted Brown in a house and later followed her outside and beat Brown in the face with a shovel. Brown was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries on July 3.

Samuel McFarlin, 24, is scheduled for a jury trial for first-degree murder and auto theft 9:00 tomorrow morning before the Honorable John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted McFarlin on February 14 for first-degree murder and auto theft. Court documents allege that on June 6, 2004 McFarlin ran over Dwight Allen Chase, 53, with a stolen automobile. On November 10, 2004, Mr. Chase died from the injuries he received at the time of incident. The Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide.

In Baldwin (BoCo) police have charged 30-year-old John Coles with the stabbing death of Alice Tremper, 34.

The Espinoza/Canela trial has ended in a hung jury. The new trial will begin March 1.

During the Christopher Travon Williams rape arraignment trial was set for November 16, Judge Shirley Watts.

The Danier Baker attempted murder trial was postponed at the request of the Defense to October 27, Judge Glynn.

The Robert Edward Pasik murder trial was postponed to September 26.

The John Leo Blankenship murder trial was postponed to September 20, Judge Wanda Keyes Heard.

The suspect accused of raping a woman in Timonium, David Mollett, was arrested in Oregon.

August 30

The three-day hunt for a fugitive near the PA border ended when the body was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head.

The jury is still deadlocked in the Epinoza/Canela trial.

A murder arrest, a robbery arrest and a lot of stolen stuff in the Blotter. Yesterday there were two shootings and an 18-year-old female stabbed in the eye with a knife.

An 82-year-old deaf man was beaten to death on Greenspring Avenue.

August 27

Police are seeking an armed fugitive who evaded capture near the PA border Thursday. Also, police seek help in solving the mysterious murder of 19-year-old Darryl Smith Jr., shot to death March 2 in Westport.

Rodman Durham got 75 years for murder, conspiracy and robbery in the April 2003 Colonel Brooks Tavern case.

A County rapist has been ID'd as one 35-year-old David Mollett, right. Police believe he's fled that state and that he was last spotted in Missouri.

A Baltimore prosecutor was forced to throw out conspiracy and gun charges yesterday against three alleged juvenile members of a gang after a missed deadline to hand over a surveillance videotape to defense attorneys.

August 26

In Manassas, the man suspected of being the Route 29 Stalker pled guilty to the minor charge of unlawful wounding and could be out of jail in a matter of months. Ladies (and gentlemen) if you are out of the road and someone who is not a cop follows you and signals you to you to pull over, 1. don't do it 2. get the hell out of there, fast and 3. write down the vehicle's license plate number, okay?

Albert G. Antonelli of Queenstown became the luckiest cop-killer in the world when he got just three years for auto manslaughter for a hit-and-run on Route 50 that killed extremely hot officer Duke G. Aaron III, left, last July 20. Especially considering "police found a small bag of cocaine, trace amounts of marijuana, six syringes and the prescription drug Suboxone" in Antonelli's truck.

James William Fling kidnapped a woman in Arbutus, tied up traffic by the airport and eventually was pepper-sprayed and arrested on Aviation Boulevard.

Stop Snitchin t-shirts are becoming Baltimore's calling card to the world.

Snockered White People Dept.:
More on the meth raid in Severna Park that resulted in the arrest of alledged lab operator Brian Kauffmann, 33.

Dan Rodericks' drama amp goes to 11, but this is nevertheless a touching column about the heroin-overdose death of Ralph "Casey" Kloetzli.

The Iguana Cantina, down in the Lomard St. Marketplace area, is in agua caliente after some kids from Howard County did some underage drinking on the premesis.

August 25

Nineteen members of MS-13 were indicted on federal racketeering charges in Greenbelt.

"Specific acts of violence charged in the indictment include six murders and six attempted murders in Maryland, as follows: the April 20, 2003 beating and murder in Langley Park of rival gang member Noel Gudiel; the June 10, 2003 attempted murder of a juvenile member of a rival gang outside of High Point High School in Beltsville; the November 22, 2003 stabbing and death of Eliuth Madrigal in Silver Spring; the November 22, 2003 shooting death of gang member Randy Calderon in Mount Ranier; the May 21, 2004 beating and murder of Ashley Antonio Urias at the Washington National Cemetery in Suitland; the September 17, 2004 attempted murder of a juvenile member of a rival gang outside of a nightclub in Langley Park; the October 25, 2004 kidnapping in Adelphi of two juvenile females, resulting in the murder of one and attempted murder of the other; the March 26, 2005 drive-by shooting in Hyattsville resulting in the death of a juvenile male; the June 8, 2005 attempted murder of a high school student outside his home in Langley Park; and the June 14, 2005 attempted murder of a juvenile member of a rival gang and his friend in Silver Spring."

A 15-year-old shot to death in Severn, Keisha Shardae Lane, was a runaway from Hagerstown.

The murder trial of Terrence Wynn, 21, and Christopher Minor, 21, iis scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Wynn and Minor September 23, 2004 for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Court documents allege that on August 30, 2004 Wynn and Minor shot to death Marshall Giles, 15, inside a home in the 3200 block of Lyndale Avenue.

At the juvenile transfer hearing of Percy Johnson, 17, Sean Howard, 17, and Antonio Williamson, 16, the boys were ordered to remain in the adult system. Court documents allege the defendants shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School.

Jurors deliberating on the E/C murder trial claim to be hung.

Here's the link to the New York Times story about Leonard Hamm's heroin-addicted stepdaughter, Nicole Sesker. Also interesting details about the police's public relations campaign to get people to "change their lifestyles." (And how Smalltimore that Cummings and Hamm live next door to each other and they both went to City College with Schmoke)

Are O'Malley and the gov's ideas of tracking sex offenders too out there?

In Timonium, Baltimore county, another report of a big black rapist.

In Elkton, the man charged with starving the mother of his children to death has asked for a change for venue from Cecil County.

Gilbert Sapperstein, owner of a boiler business and a liquor license broker, got 18 months in jail for trying to steal more than $3.3 million from the school system in a 12-year scheme. And in Stevenson, 40-year-old Daniel Llewellyn of Towson pled guilty to stealing more than $55, 000 from the Odyssey School (which serves dyslexic children).

The DOJ has reports of some recent coke and meth arrests in Annapolis and Severna Park, respectively.

Dirty bird dept: pugalistic pitcher Sydney Ponson was arrested on 95 for a traffic violation, DUI and DWI.

August 24

A shooting victim in the Northwest was identified as Derrell Mark Stanley, 46, a ticket scalper. There was also a on-fatal shooting on the 5500 block of the Alameda.

A man was shot dead late Saturday night/early Sunday morning near Patterson Park. Source' on the Sun News Talk says that the victim was a white man named Richard Boroughs and one indivdual reports:

... just got back from visiting the parents of the young man. He said it happened around 3:00a.m. around Eastern Ave & Patterson park ... From talking to the girl who was assaulted here is what he told me: Around 3am his son was taking a shower when three black men in ski masks broke in through the back door. His girlfriend was then pistol whipped and basically beaten the **** out of her. She was on the floor trying to cover her face with a blanket as they repeatedly kicked her about the head and face. My neighbor's son came out of the shower and they proceeded to shoot him in the face 3-4 times. What, was taken, I don't know. I'm sure there is more to it.

I talked to Officer Troy Harris with Public Affairs, who confirmed that the victim's name was Richard Paul Boroughs, a white man age 25, born June 14 1980. He was pronounced dead at Hopkins shock trauma at 3:52 a.m. Said Harris, "he was in the house with his girlfriend and in ths shower, three black males entered the home, beat her, asked her where the money was, then they went into the bathroom and shot the victim multiple times. That's all we have right now."

Note to the people who are outraged that there's no coverage of it in the Sun: I'm outraged also about the lack of coverage of murder and violence in general, that's why I do this job (that and to avoid my other job). But have you heard anything about any of this week's other murder victims other than in the ink either? Did you hear anything about 20-year-old Tavon Granger? There's no conspiracy-- that's just how common and unremarkable murder and death is in our and so many other American cities.

The juvenile transfer hearing of Percy Johnson, 17, and Sean Howard, 17, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Antonio Williamson, 16, November 12, 2004, Johnson November 22, 2004 and Howard December 1, 2004 with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and handgun violations. Court documents allege the defendants shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School at 5700 Moravia Drive. A juvenile transfer hearing motion has been heard and denied for Williamson. A trial date will be scheduled once the transfer hearing motions for Johnson and Howard are heard. All three defendants are currently being held on a no bail status at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

Nine years later no one knows who killed Johns Hopkins graduate student Alicia Showalter Reynolds, but police believe it was part of a string of attacks on women by the so-called Route 29 Stalker, who may or may not be 37-year-old Darrell D. Rice.

It's day seven of deliberations in the Espinoza/Canela trial. The AP reports that these jurors are asking a lot of questions.

Andre Staton was arraigned Tuesday. He is accused of stabbing 26-year-old Beverly Yohn to death in Pennsylvania, and was arrested 18 months ago after fleeing to Baltimore and standing off with city and federal authorities.

Last Saturday cops found a collection of 69 "strange" guns, including an Uzi, MAC-10 and big game rifle, from the home and garage of Anthony Felicetti. (Thanks Jay. Is Delwood down in the area the realtors call "West Virginia?").

Police Commish Leonard Hamm revealed that his daughter is a drug addict.

August 23

Jurors in the Epinzoa/Canela trial were reprimanded for not participating in deliberations.

In the trial of Javon Clark and John Kennedy, Clark tried to put the blame on his younger co-defendant for the shooting of St. Paul's dean William Bassett at the Towsontown Mall.

A bail hearing will be held this afternoon for the third defendant in the Smoot murder case.

John William Smith, 40, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Wanda K. Heard in connection to a stabbing at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church on June 18. Smith was indicted by the Baltimore City Grand Jury on July 25 for first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and weapons counts. Court documents allege Smith stabbed Rodney Dickerson, 42, once in the chest. Smith and Dickerson allegedly began arguing in the church's dining area while eating dinner. Police arrested John William Smith on July 1.

Murder arrests, a gunman on the loose and a thirty-year sentence for home invasion in the Sun's Metro digest.

Stolen cell phones and cash in the blotter.

August 22

A Howard County District Court judge set bail for alledged Smoot murders James Hatcher and Nathan Colbert this morning at $100,000.

August 19

A man was arrested in the body-in-the-safe case.

On Tuesday the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted former correctional officers Dameon Christopher Woods, 33, of Baltimore County, Nathan Delmont Colbert, 42, of North Loudon Avenue and Leonard Hatcher, 43, of Thomas Avenue, for second-degree murder in connection to the beating death of Raymond K. Smoot, 51. Second-degree murder carries a maximum possible prison term of thirty years. Smoot was in custody in his cell May 14 at the Central Booking and Intake Facility. Colbert and Hatcher were arrested today and are in custody. There is a warrant issued for Woods' arrest. At the time of the indictment, arrest warrants were issued. A bail review will be scheduled for next week in Baltimore City Circuit Court. An arraignment will be scheduled at a later date.

Shane Burton, 20, of North Clinton Street, Ronald Sturgiss, 21, of Parkton and Dominic Warren, 21, of Parson Avenue were scheduled for arraignment at 9:30 this morning. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted all three men for first-degree murder and conspiracy to first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Jerry Evans. If convicted, the maximum sentence the defendants could face is life in prison. Court documents allege that on June 16 police officers responded to the 1100 block of McAleer Court for a shooting. Evans was later pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The defendants were identified through eyewitness accounts.

Crazy shit in the countryside dept.: Sixty-seven year-old Ralph Manna was convicted of trying to solicit the murders of his ex-wife and his own son from jail (Myersville is out west between Frederick and Hagerstown). There's a big black rapist on the loose in Hebbville. And in Elkton, Kathleen Zeman was acquitted after being accused of starving her boyfriend's wife to death.

The CP covers Bmore's surveillance cameras, and the murder ink includes some gruesome tales.

Maryland is the second stop in sniper John Muhammad's four-state court tour.

August 17

At a hearing today, Bradford Mulcahy, 25, of Towson, pled guilty to automobile manslaughter before Judge Lynn Stewart. Under terms of the plea agreement announced in open court, Mulcahy will receive four-years in prison when formally sentenced October 12. On February 15, 2005 Baltimore City Police observed Bradford Mulcahy engaged in a possible narcotics violation and attempted to pull his vehicle over to investigate. Mulcahy failed to stop and proceeded the wrong way in the 1500 block of West Baltimore Street where he struck and killed a pedestrian, Stephen Cage, 46. Mulcahy crashed into a building in the 1200 block of West Baltimore Street and was apprehended after a brief foot chase.

A peek behind the petticoats of Baltimore's liquor license trade.

Suprise to no one Dept.: in Cumberland a guy the neighborhood kids called Mr. Tickles has been arrested for trying to abduct and eight-year-old.

August 15

Two men in their early 20's were fatally shot in separate incidents in South Baltimore and Edmonson Village.

Closing arguements went down today in the Espinoza/Canela trial, and the jury has begun deliberations.

A 17-year-old Marcus Bradford of Bowie has been charged as an adult in connection with a shooting the buttocks of a 21-year-old student on campus at the University of Maryland.

In Salisbury six-month old hit-and-run victim Briana Braxton died, and both her father Brian and her mother are under arrest.

Robert Manger of South Baltimore got 15 years for child sexual abuse.

A former Jessup corrections officer, Rasheem Jamal Robinson, is under arrest for dealing coke.

Two attempted-murder arrests, a stabbing and lots of stealing in the blotter.

Maryland's juvenile offenders may be sent to Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Trial starts tomorrow for Patrick Walsh, accused ringleader and cheeky monkey in the Charles County arson case.

August 14

Frank McCreary of Crofton and Carmelo Vizzi of Perry Hall got one and two years for bribery. McCreary was a Realty Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Baltimore who steered property repair contracts to Vizzi in exchange for kickbacks of $250 to $600 per contract.

"Hello, Finksburg police? Rascals have purloined my latex gloves and back issues of Black Inches from my Ford Probe!"

Escaped convict Eric Curley was captured in Camden, Delaware.

Ed Norris gave an interview to JZ.

Teenagers buying drugs were stabbed at Laurel Mall.

The Mid-Atlantic Cold Case Homicide Investigators Association held its first convention in Annapolis.

August 12

Today the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Euerildo Vasquez, 27, of Belair Road in connection with the kidnapping of a two-year old boy. Court documents allege that Vasquez took the boy from the El Salvadore Restaurant located at 207 South Broadway, hailed a cab, and forced the child inside. The taxi driver became suspicious and signaled two Baltimore City police officers that were in the area. They arrested Vasquez and the boy was retuned to his parents in the restaurant. Vasquez is currently being held on $500,000 bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

James Smith and Jason Mack will get a new attempted-robbery trial because the defense was not allowed to present evidence to the jury proving that some white people can't tell one black guy from another.

Willies Dept.
The body of 37-year-old Robin Hoey was found in a safe in a South Baltimore business, and there's a "person of interest" being sought in the case. "The owner of Safes and Security Systems on Lorena Avenue called police Tuesday evening after he noticed a strange smell and found a pool of blood."

Richard E. Kyle, a public school teacher in Frederick, was found guilty of second-degree assault for kissing and touching a 17-year-old who was one of his daughter's friends.

An arrest in the shooting of Sharrice Cabbagestalk, six stolen crabs, domestic assault etc. in the blotter.

Reports of an escape attempt at Jessup on Wednesday that was thwarted. And in OC the manhunt continues for an escaped prisoner, 34-year-old Eric Curley.

What is with these hit-and-run drivers? In Salisbury a man fled the scene of a two-car crash where his six-month old child and his babymomma were injured.

Speaking of crappy fathers, Maryland's 12 days of child support amnesty ends tomorrow.

August 11

I'm glad to hear that the hit-and-run killer of 11-year-old Damon Jackson Jr. has turned herself in.

In Baltimore, local police helped tarheels get their man. Jesus Rios, 24, was arrested for a murder three years ago in Charlotte, NC. He was on Charlotte's 10 most wanted list but he's now awaiting extradition.

The defense rested in the Espinoza/Canela trial.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Steven Richie Craft, 39, for the attempted first-degree murder of Baltimore City Police Officer Edward Mendez via striking him with a stolen vehicle. Craft was also indicted for first-degree and second-degree assault and car theft. Court documents allege that on July 16 Officer Mendez Edwards approached the stolen 2005 Toyota Camry at a gas station when Craft put the vehicle in reverse and at a high rate of speed struck Officer Mendez, sending the officer into the air. The officer was transported to Shock Trauma due to head, back, and shoulder injuries. Craft was later arrested on July 17.Craft is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status. An arraignment is scheduled for September 11 before Judge Lynn Stewart.

In the always-saucy Hometown Annapolis beat, some loud-partying women, some crack, attempted murder and a jailbreak.

August 10

Added to the tally this week: six murders, all shootings, all black. Total so far this year: 171.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Antoine Adams, 32, of the 500 Block of Patterson Park Avenue yesterday on two counts of first-degree murder for the murders of Theresa Moore, 51, and Michael Mick, 40. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Adams on February 22. Judge John M. Glynn will sentence Antoine Adams on October 25. He faces a possible sentence of life without parole. On January 20, Adams murdered Theresa Moore and Michael Mick inside of their home in the 800 Block of Bradford Street. You may also recall that Adams and his crime partner Richard Damon were also charged for the execution-style murder-robbery of Justin Gaglione, 29, on January 14. I know at some point the pair were also wanted for robbing two other men and for the murder of Penelope Medina, don't know what happened to those charges.

The trial of Cedric Stancil, 30, is scheduled to begin at 9:00 this morning before Judge Allen L. Schwait at the Mitchell Courthouse. On March 1, 2004, the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Stancil for the July 9, 2003 shooting death of Edwin Boyd, 17, in the 2300 Block of E. Oliver Street. Stancil was also indicted for conspiracy to murder.

And Marvin Moore, 24, is scheduled for jury trial at 9:00 this morning before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy at Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Moore March 15 for child labor and illegal outsourcing, aka counts of hiring a minor to distribute heroin, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession of heroin, and possession with intent to distribute heroin on February 21 in the 1500 block of West Baltimore Street. Moore and the minor were both arrested by Baltimore City Police.

This could be interesting: Ed Norris will host the WHFS noon show.

Stolen this week in Maryland
Doors, a paddleboat, a chainsaw, a flying model airplane, bicycles, scooters, a toilet tank, the life of one 22-year- old Darnell McCoy, a radar detector, cash from the Hardee's, a license plate, a digital camera, a pop-up trailer.

August 9

Police are seeking a hit-and-run driver in a green American sedan that killed an 11-year-old boy. Also an arrest for attempted murder.

Police are seeking information about the fatal shooting of Paul Talley, 18, in the Better Waverly neighborhood. He was shot while sitting in the front passenger seat of a red Ford Taurus in the 800 block of E. 30th St Sunday night.

Eighteen-year-old Baltimorean Shawn J. Harding is wanted in Williamsburg, Virginia accused of giving a 14-year-old gin and raping her.

In Annapolis a nurse's aide got probation for spitting on a 98-year-old woman.

In Ocean City there was mayhem when a fight broke out among 150 attendees of the Funkmaster Flex Car and Boat show featuring Biz Markie. Nobody beat the Biz.

August 8

Bloody gloves were in the spotlight in the Espinoza/Canela trial.

In Moscow, Pravda writer Igor Parfnenko is outraged that a story of eight-year-old Harford County boy, Denis Uritsky, starved to death by his Sunday-school-teaching foster parents, didn't even make the front page of the Sun.

Carl Preston Evans, who I as reported on July 26 was wanted by police for killing his 13-year-old stepdaughter and settliong her house on fire, was caputured.

21-year-old Theodore N. Ross was fatally shot Saturday night at a party in east Baltimore.

A man on the national Terrorism Watch List was arrested in Baltimore County during a traffic stop on Reisterstown Road.

It's a postponeathon down at the courthouse this a.m.: the murder trial of Tyrone Beane, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until October 7 before Judge Sylvester Cox because no courtroom was available.

The murder trial of Kenneth Worrell, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed at the request of the State until October 24 before Judge Sylvester Cox, for unknown resaons.

The trial of Charles Carroll, originally scheduled for this Thursday, was postponed at the request of the defense until October 25.

How many drug addicts are on the streets of Baltimore? What is the sound of one hand clapping?

Six teenagers were stabbed in two incidents on Friday, and there's suggestion that the stabbings may be related to a Salvadorean branch of MS-13.

August 5

Christopher Nathan Porter, 17, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 Monday, August 8. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Porter July 6, 2005 for first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony crime of violence, and handgun on person in connection with the fatal shooting of Damon Aldridge, 23. Court documents allege that on May 15 police officers with emergency medial personnel responded to 100 Diener Place for a shooting. Aldridge was found lying unresponsive on the pavement suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and torso and was pronounced dead at the scene. Porter was identified through eyewitness accounts.

At a hearing today, Dana (a man) White, 36, pled guilty to attempted second-degree murder and first-degree burglary. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced him to 20 years in prison. On November 26, 2004 White broke into his "girlfriend's" West Saratoga Street home through the rear basement window armed with a butcher knife. During the course of the ensuing argument, White stabbed the victim 11 times all about her body. The victim went to a neighbor, who called for help, and she was transported to shock trauma.

An arrest in the murder of 23-year-old Angel Simms, a drug arrest and various theiving in the blotter.

Baltimore's surveillance cameras were indespensible in identifying the murderer of 21-year-old Darrell Winston.

A 21-year-old rapper called D-Rack racked up a 10-year sentence for selling the yayo.

August 4

Five murders this week, 164 this year.

EW, a human torso was found bobbing in the harbor in front of the Cheesecake Factory last night after a paddleboat employee saw crabs having a feeding frenzy by the dock. "When he it with a pole the object flipped over and revealed ribs. That's when he called police .. a mystery in the water ... a body part in the crown jewel of Baltimore" says JZ's Sharon Lee in the video. Who writes those scripts? I would have led with "Tourists in town for the Maryland Precious Angel Pageant are going Kosher tonight after seeing some unexpected scenery at the harbor..." and wrapped with "certainly something for diners to think about, Bob, before they order the fried crab rangoon."

A forensic scientist was cross-examined this morning in the Espinoza trial.

Kenneth Earl Barnes, Jr., 43, of the 500 block of West University Parkway, is scheduled to be re-arraigned 9:30 Friday morning 2005 before Judge Wanda Keyes Heard, 523 Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street. Barnes is charged with failing to register as a sex offender and trespassing on school property. The criminal information alleges that on April 14 Barnes trespassed on school property and failed to maintain his registration by providing accurate address information that is required by Maryland law. The maximum prison sentence Barnes is facing three years for failing to maintain his registration by providing accurate address information and one year for trespassing on school property. Meanwhile Howard county police are vowing to perform spot checks to stay on the trail of sex offenders who give false addresses.

In Edgewood this week cops found <63k of green and white stuff. Alan Lyall, Justin Feronti and Stephen Carpenter presumably do not have Pell grants in their futures.

August 3

Florida's toughest soap salesman (and Baltimore's most famous Victoria's Secret shopper) Ed Norris will be released from home detention Friday. Welcome back, big spender... thanks again for sending the musical panties at Christmas. Speaking of musicals, are the rumors true that you and John Waters are in talks for a biopic? Lunch on me, the least I can do after all those lap dances you picked up over the years? Anywhere but the Polo Grill.

In the Espinoza trial, jurors heard evidence of a second knife.

Unless you've been living in a cave you know that our Dirty Bird Raffy tested positive for steriods, but claimed that he took them 'unintentionally.' The lastest is that said steriod was a powerful anabolic-- not something easily slipped into a cocktail.

Blogger Matthew Yglesias poated a noteworthy link: the press release from the Mayor's Office from nine months ago that claims Baltimore has a dramatic reduction in violent crime. So my questions are, first, are these numbers accurate? Second, how do they compare to the per-capita reductions in other American cities? And finally, how do these facts relate to the Freakonomics abortion theory? Discuss.

August 1

We're up to 159 murders, says the ink. Twenty of the murders this year have been in the Northern.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Kevin Scott, Jr., 15, today of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and armed robbery after eight days of testimony and one and a half days of deliberation. Judge Paul A. Smith will sentence Scott September 20. He faces a maximum prison sentence of life plus 45 years. On September 13, 2004 Scott attempted to rob the victim, Christopher Richardson, 15, in the 2800 block of West North Avenue. A struggle ensued over the gun Scott wielded, a .22 caliber handgun, and Richardson was shot twice during that struggle. Scott then ran several feet away, returned, and shot Richardson three more times before taking an unknown amount of money from his pocket. Richardson was shot a total of five times, four times in the head.

July 26

Carl Preston Evans, 35, is wanted for killing his 13-year-old stepdaughter, Breaunna Floyd, and setting her house on fire, with her and Evans' 8-month-old son, Mosett K. Evans, inside.

Were the Quezada and Espinoza children killed because their mother rebuffed an advance from 18-year-old Adan Canela?

In the Blotter, 17-year-old Shane Burton was arrested for murder. And there was burglary, assault, robbery, theft.

July 25

Following the arrests of a Baltimore man and two York PA guys for a heroin ring, the York Daily Record took readers on a soul-searing ride through the underworld of high school drug use. No, the kids aren't getting "high" on walking over Route 372 any more, and fishermen and eagles aren't the focus. Now they're "car surfing" and possibly smoking something called "skunkweed." And "in the cloak of night" there are rumors of some kind of Asian candy, and maybe a meth trailer in the woods.

Angel Simms, 23, was stabbed to death in the neck last Monday, and an unidentified man was shot, both in the Northeast.

Thanks to DNA evidence, the Severna Park rapist is facing some serious time.

I see Dan Rodericks and I have outrage in common.

Qué día es él? Es el día 12 del ensayo de Espinoza y de Canela.

Blottertime: in Baltimore City, lots of robberies. Stolen bicycles and steaks, prostitution and assault in the Anne Arundel County blotter. Stolen in Carroll County: Marlboros, floodlights, a $40 Victoria's Secret gift card. In Harford County, a meth lab in a trailer by the cow pasture. And in Howard County 23-year-old 23-year-old Nyema Wilson was shot in the bum.

July 24

Ogden Coleman, 21, was found guilty of killing 15-year-old Quartrina K. Johnson.

In the Metro Digest, police are seeking a suspect in a murder in 1992, and there's an update on the Espinoza case.

Was it one of the city's biggest cop/drug dealer conspiracies, or was a cop trying to get an informant's help? That's the question in the case of the feds vs. Sgt. Jeremiah Kelly.

Baltimorean David Burton, 50, is under arrest in Shrewsbury Township, PA, charged with running a heroin ring.

Rodericks is getting strident. And another Sun article, "Criminal, Victim are Often One."

July 22

Good news of the day: the abducted Frederick woman, 19-year-old Delmy Rivera, was found alive in Texas.

It's the first day of testimony in the trial of Kevin Scott Jr., who was 14 when he alledgedly shot and killed Christopher Richardson, 15.

July 21

A suspect has been arrested in the Severna Park rape: 36-year-old Rodrick Lee Wen.

Gary Adams, 58, of Dundalk, has been missing from the parking lot of the Merritt Boulevard Rite Aid since June 17. Mr. Adams is 5' 4", caucasian, about 150 pounds and grey-haired.

The state rested its case yesterday against Anthony Switzer, 17, accused of firing randomly into a passing vehicle for the heck of it and killing Doray Delonte.
(Love JZ's new page design. Very classy.)

July 20

Here's this week's Muder Ink. A black got whacked by the Blacks in Wax museum. And near St. Joe's monastery, and in Waverly, and by the Pizza Pizza. All in all six black guys, mostly young, bringing the city's murder toll this year to 152. As per usual the motives are unknown.

Forty-nine year old Levi Andre White shot and killed his former boss, Dennis Wilson, and was then shot by police. JZ reports that it was Baltimore's second workplace shooting in two weeks.

Bloody gloves were introduced in the Espinoza case.

A 19-year-old, Delmy Beatriz Rivera, left, is missing and believed to be abducted in Frederick.

Police have released a photo of the Severna Park rapist (though said photo doesn't appear to be published anywhere).

"It's so Sopranos" Dept:
Issuing a parking ticket to city "consultant" George C. Grimes Jr. got a meter maid cuffed.

Seventy-year-old Alvin Kotz pled guilty to money laundering and running a gambling business out of Timpano's Italian Chop House in Rockville.

July 19

The new justice, John Bob Junior, looks like Rush Chairman of Pi Kappa Psi.

After a day and a half of testimony, Leighton Rose, 31, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Rose's trial began Monday, but he pled guilty today. Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced Rose to life in prison, with all butt 40 years suspended. On January 15, 2004 Rose shot in the head and killed Romel Pittman, 30, in the 2400 block of East Eager Street. Police in the area, including a Police helicopter, observed the suspect fleeing the scene and Rose was apprehended a short time later on North Castle Street.

The murder trial of Kevin Scott, 14, of Dukeland Street is scheduled to begin 10:30 this morning before Judge John N. Prevas at the Courthouse East on North Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Scott October 13, 2004 for first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon. Court documents allege Scott murdered Christopher Richardson, 15, on September 13, 2004 in the 2800 block of West North Avenue. Scott remains held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Fraling of the Homicide Division will prosecute the case.

From the CP archives: a 2000 Lee Gardiner piece, Murder One: A Baltimore Killing Behind the Numbers.

July 18

Trial continues for Espinoza and Canela. There was a lot of no recuerdo at trial today. And a co-worker from the construction company where Policarpio worked testified.

A stolen 2002 Toyota Camry became a weapon of mass destruction, killing a mom and seriously injuring her daughter and husband.

And speaking of horrible driving, the manslaughter trial of Ryan Jason Conaway Lamana, 27, of Lutherville is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy, at the Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Lamana March 15, 2005 for automobile manslaughter in connection with the death of Chardan Lorenzo Johnson, 18. The indictment also charges Lamana with driving under the influence of alcohol. The indictment stems from an automobile accident on October 26, 2003 in the 4200 Block of Frederick Avenue in which Lamana's automobile struck Johnson's.

Christopher R. Peters of Hampden has been revealed as the graffitioso behind the tag APES. (See the 28th street bridge from 83). He faces two years of tagging small, hard surfaces with a modified safety razor.
The link is fixed, thnx dude. It looks like they expanded on the story and republished it. Good for them

There's a roving rapist in Severna Park.

Ew, a body was found behind the Essex Wal-Mart.

July 16

Four young men were shot on Thursday, three were seriously wounded and one, Eugene Carr, age 23, was killed.

There's an easy-to-support proposition: Joe Curran wants the state of Maryland to monitor all of its 4,343 violent sexual offenders for life. But Joe is not backing his son-in-law on the city's request to join a suit against the state officials who run central booking.

Olympic medalist and Escalade-driving felon Michael Phelps is "Older, Wiser."

And from Editor & Publisher: alternative crime reporting is the new happening thing for small publications (Ditkoff of the CP is interviewed).

A boring essay in the Sun about statistics-- who wrote that yawnfest?

July 15

The jury is out in the Mexican immigrant-child-murder-Espinoza case.

It seems like as the weather heats up, so do the thefts and shootings.

Former Southern District officer and father of two Gerald Goode got a five-year suspended jail term for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

July 12

More on the Espinoza murder trial (which the Sun is calling the "Falstaff killings" for the name of the apartment complex). The children's mother testified yesterday.

A horrible tale of a toddler killed in foster care while his mother was in the witness protection program.

A suspicious character walked onto the BWI airfield.

Anne Arundel police are looking for a man (left) who's been going around robbing convenience stores.

July 9

There is a motive in the Espinoza case: alien-smuggling snakeheads sending a message across the border. (*shudder*)

A murder arrest, a purse snatch and an armed robbery in the Blotter.

The cop who shot two would-be robbers has been identified as Antwan Boykin.

July 8

You have your stabbing weeks and your shooting weeks, but last week was more like a blunt-force trauma week in the city.

And so much for the city's "safe zone:" police recovered 17 shell casings from a murder scene in front of a church near Pulaski and Walbrook in broad daylight.

A Iranian, Abbas Tavakolian, got 57 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release after pleading guilty in the federal court in Baltimore to charges he attempted to export aircraft parts and components for F-4 and F-14 fighter aircraft, and that he laundered money.

There's evidence but no motive in the Espinoza case, say prosecutors.

Ex- employee Bruce Alvin Miller of Mt. Airy went postal in the BGE office in Hanover, then killed himself.

There were two shooting deaths in PG County. Shia Yu Hwang and Paul Hill are the 84th and 85th murders in PG County this year.

And in Frederick, 18-year-old Terry Bruchey is charged with shooting a four-year-old with a BB gun.

July 7

A girl who claims to have been raped by convicted murderer Charles Carroll is suing the Community Initiatives Academy and its principal Christina Phillips Holtsclaw.

John Joseph Zappola pled (or "plead" as ABC would say) guilty today to one count of sexual abuse of a minor. He'll get a suspended 10-year sentence and then be on probation for five.

The trial of Tavon Wilson, 20, of the 3600 block of Bowers Avenue, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Allen L. Schwait, 400 Mitchell Courthouse. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Wilson March 17, 2004 for first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of his girlfriend's 13-month-old daughter. Court documents allege that on February 24, 2004, Tavon Wilson murdered Dajah Mckoy at the mother's apartment in the 3600 block Bowers Avenue.

At a hearing today, attorney for perverted practicioner Keith Jennings argued that Jennings should remain free on $250,000 bond while his case is appealed. The State argued that Judge Alpert clearly ordered that Jennings was to begin serving his prison sentence July 8 and should begin that term tomorrow. Judge John Glynn ruled that Jennings' turn-in date be moved to Tuesday, July 12. At that time, Judge Alpert can rule on the appellate bond motion filed by the defense.

In the Metro section: one-year-old Erika Alexander was reunited with her mom, a guy was stabbed in Abingdton, the homeless guy who stabbed the other homeless guy is being held without bail and a man-on-man rape at the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Annapolis.

A jury was chosen in (what I call) the Espinoza triple-child-murder case.

July 6

In Jessup/ Severna Park news, Marcus A. Christian, 46, was indicted for first-degree murder in the death June 4 of 38-year-old Michael Patrick Conway. And Douglas Mark Stephany, 40, in Severna Park was indicted for possession of child pornography and soliciting a minor for a sex act.

Big Brother is indeed watching (though he doesn't care about your grammar or who you fall in love with) Dept: Bmore's surveillance cameras have spotted a kidnapped one-year-old and a drug deal in progress. You know you're in baltimore when the Blunt was located in seconds but one-year-old Erica Alexander is still missing.

July 5

You know you're reading the Sun when the murder of two human beings is less important than reporting on railroad-track repairs and a zoning hearing about a parking garage. But if you scroll way down you might find out that Lamar Robinson, 26, and Donyae Bogues, 30, died last night of multiple gunshot wounds.

...and you know you're reading the Sun when the story's out of date. Kevin Dorsey and Dennis Bowers, 18 and 20, were scheduled to go on trial today for killing 15-year-old Kareem Hanks, but Dorsey and Bowers' trial has been postponed to July 20. The alledged murderers were supposed to be on home detention while out on bail, but the company that was supposed to be monitoring them either wasn't, or didn't report the fact that they were missing to the state. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted the pair on October 26, 2004 for first-degree murder, conspiracy to murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, armed carjacking and conspiracy to carjack.

The "Stop Snitchin'" cameraman, Akiba Matthews, was supposed to go on trial today for drug charges, but alas, the trial has been postponed (or po-stoned, as JZ would say) to September 12. Says the prosecutor's office, "Although the State and the defense were ready for trial, the case was postponed because no courtroom was available."

The murder trial of Adan Espinoza Canela, 18, and Policarpio Espinoza Perez, 22, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Thomas Ward. Canela and Espinoza are charged with three counts each of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon, (a knife), in the May 27, 2004 deaths of Ricardo Quesada, Jr., 9, Lucero Quesada, 9, and Alexis Espejo, 10. Canela and Espinoza remain held in the Baltimore City Detention Center without bail. Prosecutors say DNA evidence will figure prominently in the case. (Here's a link to a story about the killings from May 29)

A bail review today, Kevin Armen Jackson, 23, got $250,000 bail. Jackson is currently in the Baltimore City Jail, charged with alleged attempted 1st degree murder, 1st and 2nd-degree assault, and other charges. Don't know the details there, but will investigate.

And in today's bail review of Michael Ward, 28, dude got no-bail status. On December 9, 2004 Ward was involved in the beating of Kenneth Hurt, 45. Hurt was taken to Mercy Hospital for a head injury and was placed in the nursing home unit due to the severe head trauma. He reported that two unidentified black males beat him over the head around the 1500 block of North Eden Street. On January 4, 2004 Hurt died of his injuries. Ward was arrested over the weekend and charged with homicide.

At a hearing today, James Joyner, 27, pled guilty to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Roger W. Brown sentenced Joyner to life in prison, suspend all but 20 years, the first five without the possibility of parole. On March 9, 2004 in the rear of a residence in the 900 block of Lemon Street, Joyner shot in the back and killed Antonio Izzard, 28.

Two robbers picked the wrong patsy in the Western last night: the intended victim turned out to be a plain-clothes police officer, who shot them both with his service revolver.

July 3

A hero cab driver prevented a three-year-old boy's kidnapping in Fell's Point.

In PG County police are looking for a hit-and-run driver in a Honda Accord who killed a man on a motorcycle.

Anthony "Tony" Lamont Johnson, 37, got eight years for assaulting two police officers.

July 2

There'll be no new trial for convicted child sexual abuser Maurice Blackwell. From Jessamy's office:

State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced late Friday that the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office will not pursue a new trial in the pending sexual abuse indictment against Maurice Blackwell. Her decision late Friday afternoon followed a meeting with the victim in the pending case, who was informed of the State's Attorney's decision not to prosecute the sexual abuse charges in a new trial this fall. "The State's Attorney must fairly and reasonably consider each criminal case based on the law, the facts and the evidence. After a thorough review of the sex abuse statute, the original trial transcript, meetings with prosecutors and detectives, and consideration of possible sentencing outcomes, as well as the legal guidelines that outline the requirements of the sex offense registry in Maryland, I reached a decision that I believe is in the interest of justice," said State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy. On April 8 the Honorable Stuart R, Berger ordered a new trial after a motion filed by Maurice Blackwell's defense attorney sought to overturn guilty verdicts on three count of sexual child abuse rendered by a Baltimore jury on February 17. The jury acquitted Blackwell of the alleged 1989 abuse charge but convicted him of the 1990-1992 abuse charges. Each felony charge of sexual child abuse carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.

So it sounds like Blackwell is free to go. And in spite of the Attorney's office releasing the statement on a Friday afternoon when most reporters are at the bar, the story has gone international. And here's the link to the Sun story.

July 1

A man has been shot multiple times in Northwest Baltimore.

A 12-year-old Baltimore girl, Raven Randal, is missing in Massachusetts and an Amber alert has been issued. UPDATE: She's been found.

So maybe things could be worse: I was shocked to hear that in the California penal system, an inmate a week dies from neglect or maltreatment.

June 30

Wilton Britton got 15 years for robbing the Provident Bank on Reisterstown Road.

Judge Paul Alpert sentenced police officer Keith Jennings (pictured left), 37, of Billie Holliday Court, to 10 years in prison, suspend all but three years and three years probation at a sentencing hearing today. A city jury convicted Jennings June 2 of one count of perverted practice. Oddly, the jury found him not guilty of misconduct while in office (if it had been missionary that would have been okay, I guess).

At a hearing today Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced Derrick Green, 39, to 45-years in prison. A Baltimore City jury convicted Green April 26 of two counts attempted second-degree murder, two counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and felon in possession of a handgun. Judge Schwait ordered that Green serve 20 years in prison for the first attempted second-degree murder count, 20 years in prison for the second attempted first-degree murder count and five years in prison for the felon in possession of a handgun count. Judge Schwait ordered that these sentences run consecutively. Judge Schwait also ordered Green to serve two concurrent 20-year prison terms for each use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence count. On March 26, 2004 Green approached a basketball court located in the 1400 block of Strohmeyer Way, removed a black handgun from his "dip" area and began shooting several times toward individuals on the basketball court. All of the individuals were juvenile boys, two of whom were struck. One suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg and the other suffered a gunshot wound to the left ankle. Both boys were 13 years old at the time of the incident.

At a hearing today Judge David Young sentenced Kevin Gross, 35, to 55 years in prison. A Baltimore City jury convicted Gross May 18 of attempted second-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and felon in possession of a handgun. Judge Young ordered that Gross serve 30 years in prison for the attempted second-degree murder, 20 years in prison, first five without the possibility of parole, for the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence count and five years in prison for the felon in possession of a handgun count. Judge Young ordered all the sentences to run consecutively. On July 19, 2004 Gross entered a house in the 200 block of Dallas Court where William Mobley, 39, was with an acquaintance. Gross ordered Mobley to "kick it out" at which point Mobley gave Gross some money. Gross then demanded more money, pistol whipping Mobley and knocking several teeth out. Gross then fired multiple shots at Mobley, striking him once in the shoulder.

The attempted murder trial of David Ellerby, 32, of the 400 block of E. Lanvale Street, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge McCurdy. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Ellerby May 15, 2003 for attempted first-degree murder, assault, conspiracy to commit murder and handgun violations. Court documents allege that on April 14, 2003 Ellerby attempted to murder Jammar Jones. Ellerby is also charged separately with felony narcotics counts and is pending trial July 6 and a first-degree murder count and is pending trial August 11.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted correctional officer Sherman Lawrence, 21 and inmates Ronald McClary, 35, and Donte Smith, 24, for attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree assault and weapons counts in connection to a stabbing at the Baltimore City Detention Center on May 11. Court documents allege Lawrence, McClary and Smith conspired to murder inmate Ronald Scott, 26. Scott was stabbed in the Baltimore City Detention Center on May 11. Scott survived and remains at the Detention Center awaiting trial July 18 on attempted murder charges. Lawrence is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status. Smith is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status and is awaiting trial September 6 on felony drug charges. McClary is an inmate in the Maryland Division of Correction, serving a 10 year prison term following a violation of probation in a felony narcotics case.

Ehrlich announced today that the troubled Hickey School will close November 30.

The city is suing the state over the problems at Central Booking (I guess the state runs Central Booking, not the city. So maybe it's not O'Malley's fault after all?).

Robert Keenan, the "Ecstasy Doctor," was sentenced to seven years in prison.

June 29

More details on last week's murders in the ink.

Relatives of inmates murdered at Central Booking held a vigil last night. Meanwhile, two inmates were shanked at Jessup.

June 28

The murder trial of Donnell Harrell, 18, is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Paul A. Smith. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Harrell November 20, 2003 (that's right, a year and a half ago) for first-degree murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Court documents allege that on November 1, 2003 Donnell Harrell stabbed James Hudson, 15, and Eric Lecount, 15, in the 600 block of Cherry Hill Road. Mr. Hudson died as a result of his injuries. Harrell's brother, Michael Harrell, 17, pled guilty May 25, 2005 to first-degree murder in connection to this incident and is serving a 30-year prison sentence. Donnell Harrell is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

Ross Talp, 19, of Park Heights Avenue is scheduled for arraignment tomorrow before Judge Heard. Talp was indicted on June 3 of this year for first-degree murder and for the use of a deadly weapon in connection with the death of his mother, Margo Antoinette Baker. Court documents allege that on April 27 Talp called police to report his mother had been missing since April 26. May 5 an anonymous tipster contacted the Baltimore City Police Homicide Unit and informed them that Talp killed his mother and dumped her body in the woods. Talp allegedly confessed to the murder and told detectives that the body was located in Leakin Park in the 4000 block of Clifton Avenue. Talp is currently held without bail.

The Sun has more on the city's youngest murder suspect, the 13-year old who shot two guys in Northwest Baltimore (mom wore a "Stop Snitchin'" hat to court!), and the four other violent murders of the weekend which brought the year's toll to 133.

In Gambrills, James Sidney, 35, of Hyattsville was shot at a party hosted by a couple of NFL linebackers.

Guess who's also not an O'Malley fan dept: Bmore city's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 has endorsed Steele for Senate. "We love the governor," said the union president (which in this town is the same as saying "we hate the mayor").

Score one for the drunks: after the objections of Jayne Miller, police have canned their new policy of arresting people for DUIs and other traffic violations.

The usual horrors in the blotter, plus a mugged 10-year-old, robbed teenagers and a woman who tried to set her boyfriend on fire.

In Annapolis, a man was robbed of his pants and shot at, and a drunkard went haywire in the parking lot of the Sunset Restaurant.

PETA has added $1,000 reward towards an arrest in the case of the pit bull hung to death in Hanlon Park.

June 27

A week after a fatal stabbing in a Mt. Vernon soup kitchen, the bishop himself is dishing up chow.

Three people were shot at a basketball game Sunday.

On Friday, officer Ronald Johnson got 10 years in the shooting death of D'Koy Dancy, 14.

They may be beaten to death with alarming frequency, but at least prisoners at two facilities the Maryland system get some decent landscaping to look at.

Thirty-year-old Caprice Jackson was shot to death in Northeast Baltimore, on her birthday no less. And two men, Jerrod Hamlett, 23 and Eric Freeman, 21, were alledgedly shot by a 13-year old boy. (Is this improved, expanded blotter a sign that the Sun's crime coverage is improving? Hope so.)

BoCo police are investigating an alledged rape at a Pikesville psychiatric facility.

Sun coulmnist Dan Rodericks is on a mission to help drug dealers go legit.

Associates of the late businessman Robert Clay don't believe he committed suicide. Two gunshot wounds to the head and one bullet is a bit weird, as was the program from his funeral left with a threatening note written on it at the front door of Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr.

Charles Village residents are fighting plans to locate for a new state juvenile social-services center in the area. You know your neighborhood's bad news when its most devoted residents describe it as "an area visited by recovering drug addicts, people on parole and mental health patients."

June 25

... back from a business trip (yes, I do have another job), so let's see what happened this week...

in the "are you effing kidding me" dept., ANOTHER Maryland inmate has died, this time at Central Booking. Twenty-three-year-old Lennard Benjamin was removed from life support Thursday night. Has O'Malley made some kind of statement about this? Have people been fired? Until now I've adored O'Malley, but if there's no statement by next Tuesday at the latest I am not voting for him ever again and I mean it. As our city is more and more reknowned worldwide as a cesspool of violence (thanks in no small part to yours truly, the irony is not lost), businesses move out of town, tourists stop coming, and we all lose. At least the City Council is holding a meeting, la te dah, why am I not impressed? The city has a budget surplus. There is no reason, besides weak leadership, that Booking and Intake shoule be proccessing more than twice as many "clients" as it was designed to support.

Shootings, shootings and then some shootings in the Sun Blotter.

Baltimorean Tavon Nelson, a student at the College of Charleston (SC), was arrested and charged with drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine near a school and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

In Broward County Florida, Patrick Shaw Callahan pled guilty to traveling from Baltimore to Coral Springs to have sex with a 14-year-old girl he met online (3rd story down).

Three baggage handlers at BWI have been charged with stealing from soldiers who were en route to Iraq and Afghanistan.

A book review of "Street Diva," the tragic tale of one of Baltimore's most notorious drug-addicted citizens.

June 17

Just when you think it can't get any worse in the prison system dept: The Md. Correctional Law Enforcement Union says that two internal prison investigators who had been involved in high-profile inquiries, including the beating death of Smoot, were reassigned to lower-level correctional officer jobs by state officials this week, with no explanation.

Jefferey Ricardo Jones, 25, who chased his "girlfriend" through Towson traffic and stabbed her, was arrested.

June 16

Muhammed and Malvo have been indicted in Montgomery County. They were already tried and convicted of one murder each in Virginia.

A warrant on second-degree murder charges has been issued for Nelson Antonio "David" Rivera, 23, of Glen Burnie. Police say he killed Marco Tulio Nova Romero, 20.

Creepy... someone left a threatening note for Attorney General Joe Curran written on an obituary for businessman Robert Clay, who died under highly suspicious circumstances.

A. Robert Kaufman remains in serious but stable condition after being stabbed in the torso and throat by someone whom police think was a tenant in one of his rental properties.

Tuesday was an action-packed day for the city: seventeen-year-old Christopher Porter is wanted for first-degree murder in the May 15 shooting of Damon Aldridge, 22, in the 100 block of Diener Place. (Detecive Moses at Public Affairs is working on getting a photo). Detective Moses was cryptic when I asked him about the case. Was it drug-related, I asked? "Most of them are," he said. "Most of the shootings?" "Yes, but there's an old saying, you can't be a killer and a drug dealer also. It's just like any other business, location, location, location. When you're a killer you have to be on the run." I asked him if there was any truth to the rumor that younger and younger kids are being recruited into the drug trade because dealers know they'll be charged as juveniles. "Yes, juveniles definately deal drugs, but I haven't heard of them being used as killers. Yet."

At arraignment this morning, accused child rapist Charles Carroll pled not guilty. A trial date of August 11, 2005 was scheduled before Judge Allen Schwait. He's being defended by Warren Brown (who was also the defense attorney for Maurice Blackwell).

Don't want to be a crime victim? Then don't put your money in mutual funds. Go to Scottrade (not a plug, just an idea <- disclaimer ). and make your own trades in industries you know something about! And if you don't know or care to learn about business just put your money in a savings account, for Pete's sake! Mutual-fund managers are just rich pickpockets!

In Rockville, Antionette Sparks, the crazy lady who went on a rampage with homemade knives at the Nordstrom May 25 was indicted for attempted murder and some other stuff.

...not Baltimore, but too horrifying not to mention dept: in Pennsylvania a woman is accused of shooting her "boyfriend" in the head and blinding him.

June 15

A federal judge gave DeAndre Whitehead, 20, six years in jail for trying to hire someone to kill a 10-year-old girl and her mother after they testified that they saw him shoot Russell Peterson, 47, their father and husband. DeAndre was acquitted of Peterson's murder in state court last year.

An arraignment for Charles Carroll, 28, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Lynn Stewart. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Carroll May 19, 2005 for second-degree rape, four counts of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 18 and two counts of third-degree sexual offense. Sexual abuse of a minor carries a maximum prison term of 25 years, second-degree rape carries a maximum prison term of 20-years and third-degree sexual offense carries a maximum prison term of 10 years. Court documents allege Carroll sexually assaulted three victims. The alleged assaults occurred during the time frame of December 2004 to April 2005.

In Arraignment Court this morning, Michael Johnson (aka Troy Johnson) pled not guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Flenall Carter, 18.

There were seven murders last week, bringing the city's toll to 117. All of last week's victims were African-American men between the ages of 19 and 44. Six were shot and one was stabbed. Note Ditkoff reports that the Waverly neighborhood has had three homicides so far this year.

Two of the eight officers fired last week following the violent death of 51-year-old Raymond Smoot are planning to appeal the state's decision, saying they never touched Smoot and could not have prevented his death. Kandis Harlee, 34, said she saw other officers stomping Smoot, and now-former-officer Anthony Pointer, 44, says he was busy trying to move agitated inmates away from the cell where the homicide took place.

The Blotter reports a shooting (Timothy Sims, 25), and the arrest of two attempted murderers.

The Sun has more information on the stabbing of 74-year-old activist A. Robert Kaufman.

Michael George Sadof, a Bethesda contract employee, got two years' probation and a $50k fine for poking around classified IRS files.

From last week: Anne Arundel county's second homicide was the stabbing of Michael Conway, 38, in a Jessup trailer park.

Could this be what's next for Maryland? California's marijuana dispensaries offer pot peanut brittle, truffles and cakes. As Maryland has had a medical marijuana law for almost two years now, (signed by a Republican no less). So where are our chronic brownies?

June 14 - Happy Flag Day!

Anthony Williams got 30 years for strangling Tamaria Hughes, a crossing guard and mother of four.

Holy Moly! I'm very sad to hear that left-wing activist and perpetual socialist contender A. Robert Kaufman was stabbed in his West Baltimore home during a dispute that sounds unrelated to his political activities. He's in critical condition at the University of Maryland Hospital. Kaufman, the Wild Bill Hagy of Baltimore politics, was also quite the old-world gentleman. We danced at a City Paper Best-of-Baltimore party once and he was quite spry. He's kept social issues in the conversation in elections in Baltimore since your sister drove an i-Roc and has remained a devoted public servant even though no one ever elected him to an office. He really typifies Baltimore's DIY in-your-face balls-to-the-walls ethos, in the best possible way. So here's hoping he pulls through.

This study from Hopkins shows that laws banning specific categories of guns indeed have an effect: Marylanders now get shot with more realiable, quality weapons. And speaking of crime reduction theories, I can't wait to get this book in the mail: That's Ralph Taylor's "Breaking Away from Broken Windows: Baltimore Neighborhoods and the Nationwide Fight Against Crime, Grime, Fear, and Decline."

Patty Jessamy will testify with victim advocates today at 3:00 p.m. before a rules session of the Maryland Court Appeals in Annapolis. The Court of Appeals is considering a decision regarding the public, electronic release of victim and witness personal data maintained in the state's judicial electronic court database. Says her office, Jessamy will urge the Court to block public electronic disclosure of victim and witness personal information in the interest of public safety. This same information is generally recorded in public court records unless access is restricted by the court.

How low can Baltimore's health and human services go? Well, troubled kids who refuse to go to group homes or mental instituations are sleeping on plastic chairs in the Department of Social Services with no pillows or blankets, being fed McDonald's.

Did Ehrlich fire state employees just because they weren't Republicans? Well, duh, isn't that what politicians always do when they get elected? Is that illegal or something?

From the vault: I just found this story about how Maryland's marijuana arrest rate hit a five-year high (har har) last year, with 89 percent of the arrests for possession, and the bulk of the increase coming from Baltimore city and county. The theory goes that cops don't go looking for pot, but they do the buy-bust operations where they arrest the street dealers, replace the dealers with undercover cops... then poor little potheads come wandering down the block to the party house to ask to borrow a cup of weed, and voila, pot bust. So never buy your weed from strangers, kids!

June 13

The attempted first-degree murder trial of Antonio Williamson, 16, Percy Johnson, 17, and Sean Howard, 17, is scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Joseph McCurdy, 230 Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Williamson November 12, 2004, Johnson November 22, 2004 and Howard December 1, 2004 with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and handgun violations. Court documents allege that Williamson shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School at 5700 Moravia Drive. Wow, anywhere else in the world, teenagers getting shot in front of a school would make headline news and there would be outrage! But I can't find a trace of this story having been reported anywhere, except maybe implied on this list of Bmore schools with violence issues (check out Harlem Park!).

Two sixteen-year-olds have been charged with robbery, reckless endangerment and weapons possession after the shooting of Baltimorean Sheria Guster in Manhattan. Left, Newsday photo by Robert Stridiron.

At 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Troy Johnson (aka Michael Johnson) will be arraigned in room 215 of the Mitchell Courthouse for the alleged murder of Flenall Carter, 18, on December 1, 2004. Johnson allegedly shot and killed Carter on the 4100 block of 10th street.

"Isn't that nice" dept.: Joanne Suder, A Baltimore lawyer, is helping Utah boys who have fled or been kicked out of polygamous Mormon enclaves.

Interesting: under Norris in 1999-2001 Baltimore experienced the greatest two-year reduction in violent crime in the entire country. Now, as reported last week, violent crime in the city is up 4.2 percent. So what's that about? Theories a Choco:
1. Infighting between the police department and Mayor's office and the resulting installation of Hamm over the past year has made lower-level cops less focused on their mission.
2. Drug gangs are having corporate shakeups of some kind, young dealers are trying to make an impression to eliminate co-workers/rivals and get noticed within their organizations.
3. Under Norris, cops got creative with the crime-classification and underreportage ran rampant.
4. Or, Norris was actually a really great Commish and all of his great innovations and ideas worked... but now the people who his administration arrested are now getting out of jail.