June 10

More on Samuel Richardson (with his nephew, left) from officer Harris of the Baltimore Police office of Public Affairs: Richardson was 30, birthdate 6/29/74, who lived in the 2600 block of Hampden Avenue. He and his girlfriend were both employees of the Rendez-Vous and were closing up the bar on Thursday June 2 when he was shot multiple times. The shooting was not a robbery-- Richardson was definately the intended target. The girlfriend was not hurt. There have been no arrests made in the case.

Jermaine Gaines, 32, left, is facing gun charges related the fatal shooting last year of Officer Brian Winder, and police are protesting Circuit Judge Allen Schwait's ruling that they won't be allowed to attend the trial in uniform as spectators.

A former Coppin State student, Rodman Durham, has been convicted of murdering three bar employees in Washington.

Relatives of 22-year-old Thomas Martin, shot by a transit cop last year, have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city. Says Fox, "Martin was shot and killed last July in the parking lot of a convenience store in east Baltimore. He was a passenger in a car whose driver, according to police, tried to run over a mother and child after a five-mile car chase."

In Rockville, former U.S. Marshall Arthur Lloyd has been convicted of manslaughter, reckless endangerment and handgun charges in the death of Navy Seaman Ryan Stowers.

In Towson, 41-year-old Web Designer (and former owner of Atomic Books) Scott Huffines pleaded guilty Tuesday to misuse of electronic mail. Reports channel 2, "He admitted entering his supervisor's e-mail address on Web sites without her knowledge last year -- hoping she'd be irritated by a flood of spam messages from dating services and other sites." The story has hit the AP Wire (!) Says the Ap story, "the case was unusual because Huffines didn't send the e-mails himself, but arranged to have them sent. An advocacy group says it's the first time a 'spamming by proxy' case has be been prosecuted."

In more frivolous news, a family may sue McDonough for witholding their son's diploma because he wore a bolo tie to graduation.

June 9

An arraignment for Tavon Blackstone, 25, of Glade Court, Eric Kendall Colclough, 29, of Huron Street, Brandon Hall, 18, of Puget Street, and William Younger Woodland, 25, of Hollinsferry Road is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Wanda Keyes Heard at the Courthouse East at 111 North Calvert Street. The Baltimore Grand Jury indicted all four men earlier this year for first-degree murder. Court documents allege that Blackstone, Colclough, Hall and Woodland conspired to murder Lawrence Fields, Jr., 17. Fields was shot inside a residence located in the 2600 block of Huron Street.

Euuuuu! Workers at the 100-year-old Clarence Mitchell Courthouse say that rodent droppings, garbage and dripping mystery soot in the courthouse building are so nasty it's making them sick! Are city officials passing the buck on whose responsibility it is to deal with? Let's start the clock to see what politician makes the first statement. My money's on Peter L. Beilenson. And isn't it ironic that it's the Clarence Mitchell courthouse... wasn't his big thing being against Federal-employee discrimiation ? And aren't the courthouse workers like 90 percent black? Maybe they should stage a walkout and let the judges and "plaintiffs" sort it out. Between that and the city jail, things down there are worse than the '70s IMO.

More yuck: says the State's Attorney's office (in their funny little style):

At a hearing today, Dwayne Raysor, 31, of the 2000 block of E. Lafayette Avenue, pled guilty to second-degree rape. Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced Raysor to 30-years in prison, suspending all but seven-years and five-years probation, and ordered him to have no contact with the victim, to have no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18 and to register on the Maryland sex offender registry. Raysor had consensual sexual intercourse with a 12-year old girl in December 2004.

A disturbing story about a naked 20-year-old man, Donald E. Coates, who was shot and killed by a police officer in Glen Burnie.

At a hearing today, Judge Paul A. Smith sentenced Justin Saul Jones, 29, of Bel Air, MD to 10 years in prison, suspend all but four years. Jones pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter April 26. Under terms of the plea agreement, four years in prison was the maximum sentence Jones could have received. On May 30, 2004 Jones was driving a vehicle on interstate 895 in which his automobile struck a car killing Darius Jovan Brown, 12, who was a passenger. Jones hit the back of the vehicle that Brown was a back seat passenger in. The impact of this wreck caused Brown's vehicle to go off the road and flip over twice. The impact of this rear end collision also pushed in the trunk into the passenger compartment causing Brown's death.

An article about California's Corcoran State Prison Protective Housing Unit. And there'll always be pot in Noe Valley, says the Green Cross Dispensary.

June 8

It's Wednesday, Murder Ink day. For the week of May 28 to June 4 there were eight murders, two woman and six men, all of African-Americans, bringing this year's murder total to 110.

Five people were shot in two different incidents last night. At around 8:30 p.m., two men were shot in the 2700 block of Tivoli Avenue (I can't find "Tivoli" on the map, but there's a "Tivoly" avenue east of Loch Raven Boulevard by Clifton Park). They went to Johns Hopkins with serious injuries and are still alive as far as the Internet knows. Then, just after 11:30 p.m., three men were shot in north Baltimore in the 3800 block of Roland View Avenue, which is north of Druid Hill Park between Park Heights and Greenspring. One was pronounced dead and two were taken to Sinai.

Sad end to a sad story: the body of 22-year-old Patrick Welsh of Sykesville, left, was found floating in the Hudson.

The Canela/Espinoza child-murder trial may be dealyed because an attorney has a "malady." Here's a more in-depth story about the case.

Police report: Drunk-as-a-skunk Councilman Moxley swore, laughed and wandered into the road after swerving onto the shoulder and smashing into the SUV of David Rash of Frederick. Rash is one lucky mf: he was changing his tire and could have been roadkill on the Councilman's fender, but he must have been taking a schvitz: he just "felt a breeze and heard his car being struck".

Thirty-seven-year-old Kenneth A Waterstadt of Delaware is being held in Maryland on charges that he bought a plane ticket for a 15-year-old girl so she could come visit a motel room in Joppa. Poor thing, her mother is dying of ovarian cancer.

In crime-plauged PG county, 29-year-old Donald Virgle Spriggs was shot to death during an arguement. And speaking of PGC, lawyers for Wesley Jean Baker argued before the court of appeals that he would not gotten a death sentence had his victims been black. He shot 49-year-old Jane Tyson at Westview mall during a robbery that netted him $10.

Question from CL: "If someone put a non-alcoholic drink in a beer can and was driving around drinking it, does that qualify for an open container and lead to arrest?" Beats me... anyone?

June 7

Danielle Annette Hamrick, a 19-month-old tot, has been kidnapped by her dad. Says the story, "Daniel Hamrick is described as a white male, 5'10", 210 lbs. He has short brown hair, blue eyes and tattoos on his left forearm. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt. Hamrick was operating a gold 2000 Pontiac Montana Van with Maryland Temporary Plate: 87504P. Mr. Hamrick is known to frequent Annapolis City and the Jessup area of Howard County. Danielle Hamrick is a white female, 19 months old, 28" tall, 27 lbs. She has shoulder-length red curly hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing a yellow baby outfit with Cookie Monster on front."

The gun buyback program has come to a mysteriously swift end.

A federal grand jury indicted Taki Hughes on four counts of possessing a gun and using it to try to kill ATF Special Agent Gabriel Scott Mamock and city Detective James Bradley while they were working together as part of the city's Violent Crime Impact Team (ironic!).

Disheartening stat of the day: while violent crime was down just about everywhere in America in '04, the FBI says it was up 4.2 percent in Baltimore. The news from PG county is similarly dismal, with the murder rate up 30 percent.

A 13-year-old, a 14-year-old and a 15-year old were shot yesterday by a gunman firing in an alley . Also, the Shell atation on West Coldsping was robbed.

So there was a catch to the largesse the Mayor bestowed on Jessamy... her office has to submit to an audit!

..and note 21-year-old Ellicott City native Kristin Mitchell was stabbed by her boyfriend, Brian Landau, in Conshohocken, Pa.

Nathaniel Broadway, 25, rejected a plea deal from prosecutors that would have probably meant 30-year prison terms for himself and Sierra Swann, 18. The pair are charged with first-degree murder in the May 11, 2004, deaths of Emonney and Emunnea Broadway.

In the White Marsh area, Atlantan Zenon Mariano was charged with stabbing three people on Saturday in a fight over a girl, or maybe a bus lavatory. I don't know, I'm too tired to read the whole thing.

BoCo County Councilman Moxley is apologizing for his drunken driving arrest after a crashin a county-owned vehicle Saturday morning on the Baltimore Beltway near Woodlawn. Hic!

Raven and cocaine-deal-setter-upper Jamal Lewis will remain in a halfway house in Atlanta. And Terrell Suggs is waiting for his felony assault trialto begin in Arizona.

In Bethesda, cops were thwarted when they tried to bust a teen party where nobody was drinking.

A mom in Thurmont could get as much as five years for leaving kids in a hot Volvo.

June 4

Samuel Richardson, a 30-year-old man, was shot dead one block north of the Rendez-Vous on 26th street in Remington Thursday morning. (The Sun initially reported that he was 39).

Jamal Lewis makes statement: it wasn't my fault, it was the people I was hanging around with!

Road rage, road rez and purse snatching in the Blotter.

In Aberdeen, a 23-year-old named When Singh was shot in the wrist while trying to drive into a cop car. And yes, it's true, Innocent Images is based in Calverton. Wherever that is.

There was a case of arson in Finksburg, a bar fight on Pulaski Highway, and a second-segree rape at the Hickey school.

Ew, in Montgomery County, teacher Shedrick Young is in custody after having been accused of "inappropriately touching a 17-year-old girl and watching her through the blinds of his office window as she changed her clothes in the locker room." By the way, doesn't JZ just have the best crime coverage? It's only about 1/5 of what happens around town, but it's certainly more comprehensive than anyone else's (except ours, of course).

Also from the "ew" files: police in Howard County have been frequenting the glory holes at the Pack Shack in Ellicott City, arresting poor middle-aged guys looking for love! Now if that isn't right out of a Tom of Finland poster I saw once...

A story about 19-year-old Ross Talp, accused of murdering his mother, Margo Baker.

Friday June 3

Just heard that a bartender from Molly's in Remington was shot and killed last night, but there's no word of it on the local news outlets. From what I understand it was a robbery and the guy was quite young.

June 3

The murder and child abuse trial of Nathaniel Broadway, 24, and his girlfriend Sierra Swann, 17, of the 1900 block of E. 31st Street, is scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 6 before Judge John M. Glynn. On June 7, 2004 Broadway and Swann, the parents of infant twin girls, were indicted for first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of their one-month-old twins. The indictment charges them with the murders of Emmoney Broadway and Emmonea Broadway on May 11, 2004 at their residence in the 1900 block E. 31st Street.

State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced today via her flak that the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Roderick Dwayne Johnson, 19, of the 400 block of South Augusta Avenue, yesterday for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and first-degree burglary in connection with the death of Sheronda Butcher, 30. Court documents allege that on October 9, 2004 Johnson shot and killed Butcher in a dispute over money. Johnson allegedly shot Butcher as she attempted to close a window in her apartment. Roderick Johnson is currently in the Baltimore City Detention Center. An arraignment date is scheduled for June 29 before Judge Wanda Keyes Heard. Assistant State's Attorney and Division Chief of the Homicide Division, Mark Cohen will prosecute this case.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Ross Talp, 19, of the 4300 block of Park Heights Avenue, yesterday 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 the day before. 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.

Yesterday the BC Grand Jury indicted Ernest Harris, Jr., 54, of Churchville, Maryland for first-degree murder in connection with the 1984 homicide of Arden Shirley Epps, 56. Harris has also been indicted on robbery deadly weapon and first-degree burglary charges. Court documents allege that on September 24-25, 1984 at four South Rosedale Avenue, co-workers discovered Epps' body lying in a pool of blood on the second-floor front bedroom of her home. Epps had sustained multiple stab and cut wounds. The victim's co-workers went to her house after she failed to report to work. Police found the home ransacked with some of Ms. Epps' belongings stolen. Police recovered latent fingerprints from the crime scene and those prints allegedly match those of Harris. Harris is currently released on bail.

There was a "police-involved shooting" in the Northwestern.

An article about Joe Steffen, Maryland's own Prince of Darkness.

Meanwhile, our hotpants Mayor gave feisty prosecutor Patricia Jessamy $600k more than the $2.2 million she asked for during budget talks.

A move to postpone trial for Policarpio Espinoza, 23, and his nephew, Adan Canela, 18, (accused of slashing the throats of three young relatives in the Northwestern District) has been denied.

The FBI are looking for help in finding a guy who's robbed at least seven Baltimore banks.

The theft and misconduct in office trial of Baltimore City police officer Brent Allen Gates, 30, of Essex, Maryland, is scheduled to begin 9:30 in the morning on Monday, June 6 before Judge Joseph Kaplan, 227b Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Gates July 28, 2004 on one count of felony theft and one count of Misconduct in Office. The indictment stems from a complaint made by a city man that on June 2, 2004 Gates allegedly failed to return $1,400 that was seized during the course of a routine traffic stop in the 2300 block of Ashland Avenue. If convicted of felony theft Gates could receive a maximum sentence of 15 years and a $25,000 fine or both. Misconduct in Office is a common-law offense, which means that if convicted of that count, Gates could be sentenced to whatever period of incarceration a judge deems fair and reasonable.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Baltimore City police officer Gregory M. Mussmacher, 29, of Hanover, PA, at 9:30 Monday morning before Judge Allen L. Schwait. Judge Schwait convicted Mussmacher February 11 following a court trial of second-degree assault and misconduct in office. Mussmacher could receive a maximum prison sentence of 10 years in prison for the second-degree assault count. Misconduct in Office is a common-law offense, which means that Mussmacher could be sentenced to whatever period of incarceration a judge deems fair and reasonable. Mussmacher's conviction stems from an investigation by the Baltimore Police Department's Internal Affairs Division and the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office of the events surrounding the arrest of a 17-year old juvenile on April 27, 2004. Mussmacher assaulted the teen by striking him in the face and back with his expandable baton at the Northwest District Station on Reisterstown Road while the teen was handcuffed and shackled. The teen was treated at Sinai Hospital for a laceration to the left cheek and two nondisplaced fractures of the left sinus. Mussmacher is currently suspended without pay.

June 2

Say what? Another inmate in the Md. system is dead. Glen Hawkins, 35, made a gurgling sound and died in a holding cell, say police.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Keith Jennings today of one count of perverted practice. The jury acquitted him of all other counts. Perverted practice carries a maximum possible prison sentence of 10 years. Judge Paul Alpert scheduled sentencing for 2 p.m. on June 30.

A story about some cold cases that have been solved recently.

As we hit the midway point of 2005, the body count officially stands at 102.

The city's spent $45,900 buying back guns.

Hide your blow... Jamal Lewis is out of the can!

And speaking of Baltimore criminals serving time in Florida, the City Paper's cover story this week is a very sensitive interview with "Eddie" Norris.

The Bail Review of Keyone Dillon is today. Dillon was scheduled for bail review this morning at 11 Central Booking (Part 40). She is in group #3 - Investigator Maria Christian's group. Judge Weinstein is presiding. On Monday, May 31, 2005 Dillon, 14, allegedly approached 15-year-old Shatina Quinn with a black kitchen knife and yelling, "who wants to fight me?" as she waived the knife in Quinn's face. Quinn attempted to push the knife away at which time Dillon stabbed her in the chest. She remains in shock trauma.

As of 2 p.m., both the State and the defense rested their cases in the trial of alledged rapist cop Keith Jennings.

Did you hear claws being sharpened in midtown today? It was just a budget meeting between Jessamy and O'Malley.

Down in College Park, a guy named Mr. Bland in food services has been charged with e-mailing a bomb threat to the school, which Bland is now claiming was a 'joke.' Ha. Ha.

By the way, does anyone know how to add a search feature for a blog?

June 1

An inmate witness to the beating of Ifeanyi A. Iko claims prison cops gave him a beating and a homemade "snitch award" decorated with clip art for helping investigators.

Wacky forger Hugh Wade, 55, of Chinquapin Parkway, was sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison today. A Baltimore City jury convicted Wade April 1 of conspiracy to commit theft, counterfeit and identity fraud. Judge Schwait sentenced Wade to eight years in prison for conspiracy to commit theft, eight years for counterfeit and five years for identity fraud with the sentenced to run consecutively. Baltimore County Police Department Economic Crimes Unit executed a search and seizure warrant at Wade's residence April 25, 2003. Police recovered multiple separate counterfeit checks in various stages of production and numerous personal identifications that had been previously reported lost or stolen. During the investigation it was discovered that these identifications were used to pass counterfeit checks in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Another article about the jackassed gun buyback program. Doesn't it make you wonder if this is some kind of enrichment program for all the retired cops who run gun shops? Considering all of the switchblade catfights we've had lately, how about a knife buyback program? But I guess every little misguided effort is better than none... there were at least four shootings over the weekend.

Speaking of cops, 36-year-old Keith Jennings is accused of abucting and raping an 18-year-old in South Baltimore.

At a hearing yesterday, Kenyanta Booze, 28, of Round Road, pled guilty to second-degree murder of Howard Smothers and pled guilty to the use of a handgun in a crime of violence. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Booze to a 25 year sentence, the first five to be served without parole. On November 15, 2004 Booze worked as a runner for a neighborhood drug dealer. The dealer told Booze to scare Howard Smothers into paying his $50 debt. Booze put a gun into Smothers' mouth and stated that the gun went of accidentally, shooting Smothers through the head.

Trial has been postponed for Tyrone Beane, who's accused of shooting and killing 25-year-old Taharka McCoy, among other things.

Skinny Suge is not, we repeat not, invloved with crime.

Brian Lynn McCarty Jr., 22, of Essex alledgedly punched and stabbed a guy in a fight over a girl on 26th street in Ocean City.

Ah, Howard County public schools. Teacher Fred Davis is accused of selling one of his students some wacky tabacky.

Did you ever wonder about those deaf guys who sell you trinkets in airports? Apparently they're slaves to the deaf Mexican mafia!

May 31

From the State's Attorney's office:

In today's bail review at Wabash District Court, Judge Bass kept Brandon Johnson HWOB (held without bail). Johnson is scheduled for preliminary hearing on June 28, 2005 at Hargrove District Court.
Case Summary
On May 14, 2005, Brandon Johnson, B/M 19, allegedly shot and killed Duane Windell Froneberger, B/M 41. Froneberger was at the corner of Giles and Shelbanks when he was approached by Johnson and shot multiple times. Froneberger died at the scene. Both the victim and the defendant have lengthy criminal records.

The trial of Tyrone Beane, originally scheduled to begin today, has been postponed by joint request until August 8, 2005 before Judge John Glynn. The trial of Keith Jennings began today. The State is presenting its case this afternoon.

May 30

Baltimore's 103rd homicide victim was 78-year-old grandmother Sadie Mack, who was robbed and strangled Friday on the West side.

Another inmate is dead in the prison system.

Knifings, thrown rocks and vandalism in the blotter.

Looks like no one's going to be punished in the Noah Jamal Jones case.

Death row inmate Lawrence Borchard is going to get a new sentencing hearing.

And 12 years after the fact, the death of Quincy Knight has been ruled a homicide.

An eight-year-old who was abducted by one Malik Shabazz was found in Baltimore.

May 29

Eight murders this week bring the year's total to 91. Anna Ditkoff reports that thus far, 13 of the victims have been female, and 60 have been black men over the age of 18.

Two women stabbed each other during a fight in Southwest Baltimore.

...and in related news, school officials report that catfights are on the rise.

And did you hear about this lady in Rockville who was randomly stabbing people with a homemade weapon at Nordstrom?

An informant who helped Baltimore's dirtiest cops (King and Murray) has been released.

I just discovered (via this story) that the FBI's Internet child porn team, named Innocent Images, is headquartered in our fair city. Here's another story about the division.

While violent crime is down just about everywhere in the country, it's on the rise in Dundalk.

In Cecil County, a man was found dead in the parking lot of Sweeney's Bar and Pub.

Fire hydrants, fishing tackle, silverware and gloves: all recently stolen items in Carroll County.

A bottle of wine, a set of tires and two Japanese maple trees: Anne Arundel County.

A tip jar and newspaper boxes in Annapolis.

In Parkville, a woman and her sons were robbed of handguns.

In Howard County, one Brian Scott Lewis who lives on Encounter Row is in the can for sexual offenses involving a 12- and a 14-year-old. Also, Walter J. Blannon was given life without with possibility of parole for robbing and murdering Jessup deli owner Kwang Jun Kim.

May 28

A new database will help officials determine the outcome of arrests and may one day be on the Internet.

The city's idiotic gun buyback program is being revived, in spite of ample evidence such programs are ineffective.

May 26

At a hearing on Tuesday, Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Clayton Damon Colkley, 27, of N. Polk Street to 30 years for the second-degree murder of James "Buck" Bowens. Judge Glynn also sentenced him to 20 years consecutive for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, the first five years without parole, consecutive to the 30 years for murder and then sentenced him to life in prison, consecutive to the 50 years, for the attempted murder of William Courts, and a concurrent life sentence for the conspiracy to murder William Courts. Judge Glynn also sentenced co-defendant Darnell Fields, 22, of the 3200 block of Elmna Avenue, to life in prison, suspend all but 45 years, for the conspiracy to murder William Courts. He then sentenced Fields to 25 years, concurrent, for the attempted murder of William Courts, and 20-years consecutive to the 25 years but concurrent with the life, suspend all but 45 years, for the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. A Baltimore City jury convicted Colkley and Fields April 1.
Here's the story:

In the early evening hours of May 28, 2003 a vehicle turned into the 1700 block of Port St. and pulled to the curb in the middle of the block. Four people jumped from the car and shots were fired. James Bowens was struck once in the chest and died from his wound, William Courts was shot 10 times but survived and an innocent bystander up the street was struck one time in the shoulder suffering a minor injury. Police investigation found several witnesses who ultimately identified Clayton Colkley as the person who shot Mr. Bowens in the chest and who then shot William Courts repeatedly as he lay wounded on the sidewalk. Mr. Fields was identified as the driver of the vehicle and as a person who was also firing at the group of intended victims.

Also on Tuesday, the drug kingpin trial of William Nicholson, 27, of Boxthorn Road began before Judge Joseph H. H. Kaplan, Jr. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Nicholson July 31, 2003 on kingpin and conspiracy narcotic counts. A kingpin can be defined as a person who allegedly was part of a drug conspiracy in which he/she was the manager, organizer, supervisor, or financier of narcotics distribution. Court documents allege Nicholson supplied at least three high-volume dealers in the Baltimore City metro area with large quantities of nose candy. He faces a maximum prison term of 40 years if convicted.

State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced today that the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Bradford Mulcahy, 25, of Towson yesterday for automobile manslaughter in connection with the death if a pedestrian, Stephen Cage, 46. The indictment stems from an automobile accident that occurred on February 15, 2005 in the 1500 block of West Baltimore Street in which Mulcahy's automobile struck Cage. Mulcahy was also indicted for first-degree assault of Baltimore City Police Officer Cornell Williams on that same date.

May 17

In the bail review of Terry Jones, Jones was HWOB (held without bail). His preliminary hearing date is set for June 10 at Wabash District Court in Room 6 at 8:30 a.m. On or around March 8, 2004, Jones allegedly strangled and beat Anatania Delicia Mills, 15, to death. Mills' body was found wrapped in a blanket in the middle of the 2500 block of Talbot Rd. She was last seen the day before by her grandmother.

There have been five homicides since Wednesday, and yesterday morning local businessman Robert Lee Clay was found shot to death, though police haven't yet announced if it's a homicide or suicide.

Detention hearings are scheduled this morning for the two dirty cops accused of shaking down drug dealers.

A teenage girl was stabbed during a fight in Federal Hill.

Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is in trouble in Arizona.

In Silver Spring this morning a man shot a Geo-driving burglar.

May 16

Six officers have been placed on leave after the death of inmate Raymond Smoot, left. The story's now hit the AP wire and been picked up in hundreds of papers nationwide. In case you haven't heard, Central Booking is a total mess, with the city unable to bring charges in a timely way and now having to release scores of arrested people back on the streets.

Burglary and carjacking in the blotter.

At a hearing today, Judge Joseph McCurdy sentenced Michelle McKnight, 36, of The Alameda, to ten years in prison with four years suspended and three of probation. McKnight pled guilty March 2 to the voluntary manslaughter of her husband, Thomas McKnight, whom she stabbed to death May 30 of last year.

Preston Nichols is being held with no bail. On Thursday, May 12 Nichols allegedly stabbed and killed Charles Anderson, 20, on the 4100 block of Audrey Avenue. Nichols apparently approached Anderson as he was standing near his car and began fighting. The victim came out from behind the car saying he'd been stabbed. Anderson was transported to the hospital but died shortly after. Nichols has a lengthy arrest record including CDS, deadly weapon charges, and most recently for selling counterfeit CDs.

The murder trial of Torri Fatherly, 25, of Woodyear Street, is scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge McCurdy. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Fatherly for first-degree murder September 30, 2003 in the death of Kevin Blackston, 20. Court documents allege that on July 12, 2003 Fatherly stabbed to death Mr. Blackston in the 1600 block of West North Avenue.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning for Renardo Lynch, 22, of Spaulding Avenue. A Baltimore City jury convicted Lynch March 16, 2005 of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault, three counts of reckless endangerment and three counts of uswith the first 15 years to be served without parole. On January 1, 2004 about 12:20a.m., uniformed police officers responding to a call for discharging firearms in the rear of the 900 block of N. Montford Avenue observed a group of males in the backyard of a home. Lynch then drew a handgun from his clothing and attempted to escape down an alley where he saw and fired shots at Officers Ketajh Brown, Nicholas Petrozzino and Sergeant Gary Klado. Lynch then ran back up the alley, where he shot Officer John Dolley in the right hip. The jury convicted Lynch of the second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment of Officer Dolly; the first-degree assault of Officer Petrozzino; the first-degree assault and reckless endangerment of officer Brown and the reckless endangerment of Sgt. Klado.

In Baltimore County, a man was shot after a standoff with police.

A man named Leslie Lamont Sedgwick ran over a five-year old child in Annapolis while drunk, plus assorted other misbehavior in the Annapolis police blotter.

Twenty-two-year-old Jeffrey Lance Minarik was arrested and charged with attempted murder after alledgedly being involved in a violent break-in in Halethorpe.

May 15

Did you know that anyone can go on a ride-along with the Baltimore Police? You just have to call and request one, show up and sign a waiver! I was also told by a most helpful officer, "don't bother going on a ride-along in the Northern district; it's the quietest in the city, nothing ever happens!"

Meanwhile...
A guy died at central booking Sunday night after a struggle with officers.

Someone at Channel 2 got a Noah Jamal Jones juror Michael Dumphy to blab that he disagreed with the acquittal of accused whiteboy Jacob Forteny.

In the 'burbs:
Two punkass 15-year-olds have been charged with breaking into houses in Odenton.

In crime-plagued PG County, Emmanuel McClain, a teenager who killed 18-year-old Michael Bassett in a dispute over a Slurpee, got 40 years.

May 13

At a hearing today, Judge Wanda K. Heard sentenced Dwayne Gibson, 20, of the 3900 block of Grantley Avenue, to life in prison. A Baltimore City jury convicted Gibson February 11, 2005 of first-degree murder and two weapons counts. Judge Heard also sentenced Gibson to concurrent three-year prison terms for each weapons count. On the evening of September 28, 2003, Wayne Rideout, 43, mistakenly stumbled in the backyard of 3927 Grantley Road, where Gibson was living. Gibson took a crow bar and beat Mr. Rideout in the head six times, and then dragged Mr. Rideout down a concrete stairwell, doused him in gasoline, and then lit him on fire.

The child sexual abuse trial of Darryll Purefoy of Randallstown, originally scheduled to begin today, has been postponed at the request of the defense. The new trial date is June 24. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Purefoy December 6, 2004 on more than 100 counts of sexual child abuse and related other counts. Court documents allege Purefoy had sexual contact with a minor female between the years of 1995 and 2000.


The sentencing hearing of Desmond Dickey, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed at the request of the defense. The new date is June 24. A Baltimore City jury convicted Dickey of second-degree murder March 8, 2005 for the August 12, 2001 murder of Anthony Carlest in the 400 block of North Pulaski Street.

May 12

There was a triple shooting last night on North Gilmore Street.

Yikes... two police officers, William King and Antonio Murray, are accused of robbing drug dealers, then selling the drugs themselves!

Three murders last week bring the year's total to 83.

Fingerprints found in 1984 helped solve the murder of Arden Epps.

In Annapolis, the jury has begun deliberating in the Noah Jamal Jones manslaughter case.

In Harford county, a teacher has been caught with child porn.

In Howard County, Kathy Lynn Gray has been found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree assault that resulted in the death of crossing guard Tamaria Hughes.

May 10

The murder trial of Leighton Rose, 31, of Brooklyn, New York, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Rose February 2 of last year for first-degree murder in connection with the January 1, 2004 shooting death of Romel Pittman, 30, in the 2400 block of East Eager Street. Leighton Rose is being held on a no-bail status at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

At a hearing today, Judge Joseph P. McCurdy sentenced Norman Hock, III, 18, of South Conkling Street, to five years in prison. Hock pled guilty March 15 to leaving the scene of a fatal automobile accident. On April 22, 2004 Hock was involved in a traffic accident in the 2200 block of Newkirk Street in which Joshua Naparstek, 15, was killed.

Joseph DiAngelo, 51, of Wells Avenue will be arraigned 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Lynn K. Stewart. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted DiAngelo April 5 for first-degree assault, witness intimidation and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. Court documents allege DiAngelo hired two individuals to conduct a home invasion/assault on a witness in a pending assault case. The hired individuals entered the home armed with table legs (?!) to assault the victim/witness. One of those individuals, William Morton, is facing assault and burglary charges.

May 9

The trial of Cedric Stancil, 28, of Poplar Street, was scheduled to begin at 9:30 this morning before Judge Paul A. Smith. 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.

At a hearing this morning, Charles Carroll, a teacher arrested for raping a student and other sex offenses was given "no bail" status. Carroll's preliminary hearing is set for May 31 at North Avenue District Court in Room 1.

Also given "no bail" status was Ross Talp, accused of killing his mother. His preliminary hearing is set for June 2 at Wabash District Court in Room 6 at 8:30 a.m.

At a hearing today, Thomas Anthony White, 46, of North Washington Street, pled guilty to second-degree murder. Judge John Glynn sentenced White to 25 years in prison. Says the prosecutor's office:

On January 15, 2004 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Joann Betty Dunn, 51, of the 200 block of North Linwood Avenue, was found lying in a pool of blood on her kitchen floor with numerous cuts and stab wounds throughout her body and a large screwdriver sticking out of right side of her head. Several latent prints were recovered from the scene and upon comparative analysis, White's left thumbprint and right palm print were identified. White's DNA profile was also obtained from evidence samples recovered from the crime scene.

On January 21, 2004 at 9:30 AM, Thomas Anthony White was arrested at 3617 Pulaski Highway on the charge of first-degree murder. The defendant executed a written wavier of his rights and gave a tape-recorded confession of his involvement in the murder of Joann Betty Dunn. According to White, he was under the influence of narcotics when he went to the victim's home to ask for money. When the victim refused and drew a knife, he took the knife and stabbed her.

Assault, robbery and a guy who shot himself in the leg in the Blotter.

The murder trial of Alveate Jerome Wallace, 35, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge John M. Glynn (that guy seems to get all the really depressing ones). The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Wallace March 3 of last year for the January 24, 2004 first-degree murder of Shella Christian, 42. He was also indicted for the attempted first-degree murder of Christian's six-year old son. The alleged incident occurred on Seagull Avenue in Cherry Hill.

The murder trial of Charles Norfolk, 42, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Norfolk August 9, 2004 for first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of 47-year old Vincent Fitzgibbons.

A 15-year-old in Brooklyn Park is charged with reckless endangerment after shooting his girlfriend in the face and lying about who did it.

And 15-year-old Christopher Gaines has turned himself in following the stabbing at the Coppin State gym.

In Hagerstown, Scott Patterson has been charged with beating his three-year-old daughter to death for spilling water.

May 4-5

Trial starts tomorrow for a man accused of shooting a 14-year-old boy. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Worrell February 25, 2004 for first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Court documents allege that in the early morning hours of January 28 of last year Worrell stabbed to death Keyyon Makins following an altercation.

The theft trial of Latonia Coates, 38, tomorrow before Judge John M. Glynn. Coates is charged with three counts of theft and one count of fraud for allegedly stealing $11,592.39 from the Maryland Child Support Administration between October 27, 2003 and April 8, 2004.

The murder trial of Kevin Scott, originally scheduled to begin today, has been postponed at the request of the defense. The new trial date is May 19, 2005.

As Anna Ditkoff reported yesterday in the Ink, there have been 80 murders so far this year. There were seven this week: four stabbings and three shootings. Note the City Paper was the only source to report the double murder in Medfield.

Just before pre-trial motions were to begin in the murder trial of Richard Dixon, 46, of Chester Street, Dixon pled guilty to second-degree murder. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Dixon to 15 years in prison. On June 3, 2004, Dixon beat and strangled to death Marvin Thornton, 39, in the unit block of North Central Avenue.

Monalisa Mackey (drawing left) got 25 years for smothering her infant daughter.

The murder trial of Herman Day, 54, of 41st street is scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. today before Judge Allen L. Schwait. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Day on June 30, 2004 for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, handgun violations; and false imprisonment, in the June 14, 2004 shooting death of his wife, Ella Simpson, 58 and the shooting assault of her roommate, Denise Shackleford, 49.

The murder trial of Kevin Scott, 14, of the 1900 block of Dukeland Street is scheduled to begin at 9:30 this morning before Judge Joseph McCurdy. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Scott October 13, 204 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.

At an arraignment yesterday, Akiba Matthews, charged with two counts of possession and two counts of possesion with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, pled not guilty. Judge Lynn Matthews scheduled a trial date of July 5 of this year. If convicted on all counts, Matthews could face a maximum prison term of 40 years. Court documents allege that on February 28 of this year police executed a search and seizure warrant at Matthews' address and confiscated heroin, cocaine and US currency.

O'Malley has proposed reforms of the Juvenile Justice system.

A carjacker displayed shocking stupidity.

The trial of the murder of Noah Jamal Jones goes on, with defense attorneys trying to strike members of the NAACP from the pool of potential jurors.

Robbery, murder arrests and a lot of stolen cell phones in the blotter. And two stolen minivans, including one that was 11 years old and green. Police are on the lookout for suspects with extremely bad taste.

Baltimore police are irked by "Stop Snitchin" t-shirts.

May 3

Rowr! The feud between O'Malley and Jessamy heated up following the mayor's remarks at a Congressional field hearing that "more effective prosecution" was needed to deter witness intimidation. Margaret Burns, the prosecutor's flak, responded that the mayor's comments were "short sighted" and opined that the system works "so beautifully," adding, "perhaps he does not understand what the issue is."

Baltimore county police are looking for a bat-weilding home invader who robbed a family in the Northwest.

A 19-year-old was stabbed in the stomach by a younger guy in the Coppin State University gymnasium.

Kathy Gray, 41, is the second defendant on trial for strangling Tamaria Hughues, a 36-year-old mother of four, following a three-way encounter. Gray's boyfriend, Anthony Williams, was found guilty of second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault last week.

May 1-2

Troy Johnson, a 15-year-old, has been arrested and charged as an adult with murder.

Sentences were given today in the horrifying case of the pre-teens assaulted at a party. Judge Kaye Allison sentenced Monique Baldwin, 37, of Louden Avenue, to 25 years in prison for the first-degree assault of Nicole Townes, 12, and five years in prison for the second-degree child abuse of Brenda Bailey, 11. Judge Allison ordered that the sentences run consecutively. Baldwin pled guilty to both counts March 3. Judge Allison also sentenced Kenya Keene, 25, of Lyndhurst Street, to five years in prison for the reckless endangerment of Nicole Townes and one year in prison for the second-degree assault of Brenda Bailey. Judge Allison ordered that the sentences run consecutively. Keene also pled guilty to both counts March 3. Both sentences are the maximum allowable under the terms of the plea agreement reached in March. Says the state's attorney:

Various females participated in the February 28, 2004 beating of Townes and her sister Bailey. Monique Baldwin encouraged a group of women and juveniles to attack Townes and Bailey and those present kicked, punched and choked Townes. Keene struck Bailey several times and deliberately delayed obtaining medical treatment for Townes. When medics responded to the scene she told them Townes had suffered a diabetic episode. The misinformation and the delay in treatment resulted in a worsening of Townes' condition.

In other child-abuse news, Monalisa Mackey, 41, of Brunswick Street, is scheduled for sentencing at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Alfred Nance. Mackey pled guilty January 28 to second-degree murder and faces a maximum prison sentence of 30 years.
On February 28 of last year Mackey murdered her 18-month-old daughter Alicia Cureton at her home on Brunswick Street. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by asphyxiation. Mackey confessed that she suffocated Cureton because the baby would not stop crying.

Jeffrey Ziegler, 28, was indicted on 14 counts related to the hit-and-run accident that killed construction worker William Ruffin, 42.

The Florida St. Petersburg Times has a very depressing article about former police commish Ed Norris, who now apprently works in a soap store at the mall and listens to the same CD over and over.

A man in Upper Marlboro got 14 years for using identitty theft to steal $1.1 million worth of goods and services.

April 25-30

The murder and attempted murder trial of Allen Samuel Gill, 23, of Abbott Court; Colby Madison, 21, of Roslyn Avenue; and Terrell Allen, 30, of East Fayette Street is scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 2 before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Gill and Allen on October 31, 2003 for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault and various handgun violations. Madison was indicted July 21, 2003. Court documents allege that on April 9, 2003 Gill, Allen and Madison shot two men, killing one and injuring the other, after picking the men up at the bus station and buying drugs from them. All three co-defendants are currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

A sentencing hearing for Monique Baldwin, 36, of the 500 Block of Louden Avenue, is scheduled for 3:00PM Monday, May 2, 2005 before Judge Kaye Allison, 451 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 N. Calvert St. On March 3, 2003 Baldwin pled guilty the to first-degree assault of Nicole Townes, 12 and the second-degree child abuse of Brenda Bailey, 11.

A sentencing hearing is also scheduled for the same time for Kenya Keene, 25, of the 400 block of Lyndhurst Street. Keene pled guilty to the reckless endangerment of Townes and the second-degree assault of Bailey. Various females participated in the February 28, 2004 beating of Townes and her sister Bailey. Monique Baldwin encouraged a group of women and juveniles to attack Townes and Bailey and those present kicked, punched and choked Townes. Keene struck Bailey several times and deliberately delayed obtaining medical treatment for Townes. When medics responded to the scene she told them Townes had suffered a diabetic episode. The misinformation and the delay in treatment resulted in a worsening of Townes' condition. First-degree assault carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. Second-degree child abuse carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Reckless endangerment carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Do You Want to be a Crime Blogger?

Do you have what it takes to be the Baltimore crime blogger? Do you:

• feel that news sources in Baltimore should do a better job of providing comprehensive and balanced coverage of Baltimore City's chronic crime problems?


• Have about a spare hour a day?


• read a lot of Baltimore news?


• Know basic html (or care enough to learn)?


• enjoy doing research and learning?


• have half-decent writing skills?

...then maybe you're the next Baltimore Crime Blogger!
As much as I, Chococat, enjoy crime blogging and find it meaningful, both I am my co-author Claire have paying jobs and families, and it just isn't possible for one of us to blog every single day... but to provide the complete coverage Bmore deserves, the site needs daily reporting. If you'd like to pitch in for a day, a week, or periodically, drop a line to chococatsanrio@yahoo.com.

April 23-25

The manslaughter trial of Justin Saul Jones, 29, of Bel Air, MD is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Paul A. Smith, Courthouse East, N. Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Jones September 9 of last year for automobile manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol. The indictment alleges that on May 30, 2004 Jones was driving a vehicle on interstate 895 in which his automobile struck a car killing Darius Jovan Brown, 12, who was a passenger. Jones is released on $75,000 bail.

Ronald Edward Johnson, Sr., 32, of Lindsey Road, pled guilty today to involuntary manslaughter for the murder of D'Koy Dancy, 14. Johnson faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 10 years. Judge Joseph P. McCurdy ordered a pre-sentence investigation and will sentence Johnson on June 24. On August 20, 2004 Johnson had observed D'Koy Dancy attempting to break into a storage shed in Johnson’s backyard. Johnson reportedly fired one gunshot from a second story bedroom, striking the victim in the back. Dancy was transported to University Hospital Shock Trauma Center where he was treated and later pronounced dead. Ronald Johnson, Sr. is released on $50,000 bail.

A fued led to a shooting in Dundalk.

Fourteen people were indicted on various conspiracy drug deal charges.

A diet doctor, Robert Keenan, was indicted for making E in his Fell's Point rowhouse.

Darvell Guest, 25 was fatally shot in a bar fight in Perryville.

A girl beat with a board and old ladies stealing from each other in the Blotter.

Justin "Jayou" Willard is being saught as a suspect in the attempted murder of Karl Cully in Annapolis. Also in Annapolis someone is breaking into yachts and stealing flat-screen TVs. And Hugo Whitaker Jr. got busted for defrauding the MIA.

The Crue (Motley, that is) has posted a $10,000 reward for clues in the target="_blank">disappearance of Trans-Am driving fan Tracey Gardiner-Testo.

April 22

Edgar West, charged with child abuse and sex offense, pled not guilty at his arraignment this morning. A jury trial was scheduled for June 30 of this year before Judge Allen L. Schwait.

April 19

The O'Malley-Curran administration is having a great week. Tragedy for the Griffin family of Annapolis turns in to time to shine for the office of top state's lawyer Joe Curran, who will be bringing a case before the Supreme Court. And his ripping son-in-law is also getting national exposure--O' Malley made Time magazine's Five Best Mayors list.
The family's enemies are even biting the dust: Former Police commish Norris has reportedly lost his job as a perfume salesman in Florida (?!), and Ehrlich is trailing in the polls in the imaginary race for governor.

Michael Phlelps' cautionary tale is saving young lives.

Details of the Iko inmate-suufocation lawsuit.

Hopkins will hold a memorial service for Chris Elser at 5 p.m. tonight in the Decker garden of Homewood campus.

In Ellicott City, 33-year-old Anthony Williams is on trial for the murder of Tamaria Hughes.

April 17-18

The murder trial of Tyrone Beane has been specially set for May 31, 2005 in Judge John Glynn's courtroom, 234 Mitchell Courthouse.

At a hearing today Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Rose Green, 47, of Richmond, VA, to 20-years in prison with all but 12 years suspended. Green pled guilty February 28 to second-degree murder. On March 24, 2003 the victim, Raymond Shifflett, 52, was found stabbed to death in the 1800 block of McHenry Street. Green gave a statement to police admitting the extent of her involvement in his death.

At a hearing today Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced George Holman, 60, of Dudley Avenue, to 30 years in prison, suspend all but 18 years. Holman pled guilty February 18 to second-degree murder. On April 18 of last year the victim, Devon Boston, 46, was found stabbed to death in the 1200 block of Greenmount Avenue. Holman and the victim got in an argument resulting in Holman stabbing Boston once in the chest.

Roland Park's latest lurking sex offender, Kenneth Barnes, has a bail review hearing scheduled today at 2 p.m. at the Wabash District Court. Barnes was arrested on April 14 by the Baltimore City Police Departmenton charges of failing to register as sex offender and trespassing on school grounds. So if you've ever been flashed in the Stony Run/ Roland Avenue area, go down with your camera and make an ID.

Reports the Sun:

A man convicted of sexually molesting a 9-year-old child in 1998 was arrested yesterday evening and charged with trespassing at Roland Park Elementary-Middle School, where he allegedly offered money to pupils, city police said. Kenneth Earl Barnes, 43, of the 200 block of W. Cold Spring Lane, was arrested about 7:25 p.m. by members of the Warrant Apprehension Task Force as he sat in a parked car in the 4400 block of N. Charles St., said Officer Troy Harris, a police department spokesman. Barnes was charged with failing to register as a sex offender, as well as trespassing at school property in the 5200 block of Roland Ave. He was alleged to have offered money to children there about 11 a.m., police said. Harris said the children refused the money and reported the incident to school officials. There was no physical contact with the children, Harris said. Barnes had registered as a convicted sex offender upon his release from prison but had not registered again after moving to his current address, Harris said.
-Richard Irwin

April 15-16

Tyrone Beane, 20, of Wharton Court, is scheduled for trial at 9:30 a.m. on Monday the 18th before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 North Calvert Street. Beane is charged with killing Taharka McCoy, an East Baltimore man, on January 17, 2002. Beane is currently being held in the Department of Corrections after being sentenced to 75-years in prison in an unrelated robbery and shooting.

Yesterday a Baltimore City Grand Jury officially indicted Donta M. Allen, 27, for the first-degree murder of Hopkins students Linda Trinh as well as first-degree burglary.

In the City Paper, a story about the RESTART program at the prison near Hagerstown, and, of course, the Murder Ink, which announces two murders last week, bringing the toll to 67.

Convicted child molester Kenneth Barnes was caught hanging around Roland Park public.

The Baltimore police are being sued for another $30 million... this time for alledgedly shooting 37-year-old Dexter Hill in the back.

April 14

It's a dangerous time to be a student.

Two students were grazed by gunfire at Bowie State.

A 14-year old high schooler stabbed an 18-year old near the Rotunda.

And police are cracking down on young drivers.

YEEhaw! A crazy lady led a car chase from Fell's Point to Ruxton to Carroll County yesterday.

April 13

The four teenagers who alledgedly shot Reginald Grey after an altercation at Hammerjacks pled not guilty today. "Ramon Ramirez, general manager of Hammerjacks, said he could not recall the fistfight. "We go through so many fights here," he said."

From PJ's office:

At a hearing today Judge Paul A. Smith sentenced Thomas Alston, III, 20, of the 1200 block of Sugarwood Circle, to 40-years in prison suspend all but 15-years, the first five without parole and five-years supervised probation. Alston pled guilty today to second-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. On May 2, 2004 in the 4300 block of Shamrock Road, Alston was at a party, and was asked to leave. He left, stating that he would be back in five minutes. Approximately five minutes later, Alston returned, and began shooting into the crowd. He shot and killed Jade Hall, 33. A second victim was shot in the buttocks area and a third victim was shot in the knee.

Why does Life-Like products keep catching on fire?

Ten years after her disappearance, there's no trace of Tracie Lynn Mosley (left).

Two men have been arrested for home-invastion-style robberies of old ladies.

April 12

Hurray for law-abiding citizens... the witness intimidation bill has passed!

A teen in a stolen car was shot by a Baltimore County officer.

A man and a woman have been injured indouble shooting in Northeast Baltimore.

A 30-year-old Catonsville man got 30 years for cocaine distribution.

April 11

Sixteen-year-old Roman Paige was shot in the head while playing basketball.

Kwesi Owens, 23, was also shot to death in West Baltimore over the weekend.

Aaron Bell, Derrick Davis, Xavier Lewis, and James Robinson are all scheduled before Judge Stewart, Room 215 Mitchell Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning for a Murder Arraignment.

The case of 17-year-old Asmar Holland was advance postponed on Friday at the request of defense counsel, John Deros. The new date is June 20. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Holland in February for two counts of first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on May 18, 2002 Holland shot and killed Joseph Harris, 16. Court documents further allege that on December 1, 2003 Holland shot and killed Earl Ross, 39, at his home in the 600 block of Bartlett Street.

DeAndre Whitehead, 20, has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. he'll cop to two counts of solicitation to commit witness tampering. Whitehead was accused of an 11-year-old girl and her mother who testified against him at the trial for the murder of Russell Peterson.

A woman serving a 26-month federal sentence for carjacking in Baltimore and Richmond is now testifying against her ex-boyfriend, Jaron Reevey.

WJZ is letting visitors to its Web site view the new police department flick, "Keep Talking (Snitching Bitches)!"

More woes in Annapolis: as the legistlative session winds down, the body of a 21-year-old midshipman was found outside of a dorm, apparently killed in a fall. Jay Michael Dixon was reportedly a junior physics major from Destrehan, La. "It was the second time in three years that a midshipman was found dead outside the dormitory after a fall." Weird!

The Tao Te Chuck did some ranting about the state of the local news.

April 9 - 10

Police are countering "Stop Snitching" with their own DVD. No word yet if there're cameos by MELO or Sonja Sohn.

Charles County arson trials will kick off June 14.

April 8

Maurice Blackwell has been granted a new trial.

Even more problems in the Juvenile Justice System... now they're short $16 million.

Allison Lamont Norman, 22, left, went on a shooting spree in Salisbury, killing two and wounding 4. He's being held on no bail status.

April 7

The best reason yet to pass the witness-intimidation bill: "Baltimore is too small."

In Anne Arundel County, two arsonists have been forced to pay restitution for setting Marley Elementary School on fire.

Robbery, arrests, theft in the blotter. Some heavy sentences handed out for drug dealing and firearm posession in the Digest.

Downy shore police are investigating a shooting near North Salisbury Elementary School. (Congrats on the Peabody, BAL!)

April 6

The trial of former police officer Gerald Goode will begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Mitchell Courthouse before Judge John Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Goode July 27, 2004 on a charges of third-degree sex offense and sexual child abuse of a minor under the age of 18. The incident allegedly occurred in 2003. Goode's been out on $25k worth of bail for the past eight months.

Three men have been arrested for the murder of Renard Jawon Graves.

The white cement truck that killed two men and fled the scene on the B-W Parkway was found in Jessup last night.

Newest Raven Samari Rolle has settled his assault charge with anger management classes, probation and a five-figure donation to help abused women.

Oh, the irony! I just had to take a break from crime blogging to call the police about some white guys in a fight in front of my house. The cops were on the scene in less than two minutes, which is simply amazing. Anyway good thing for me the witness inimidation bill seems to be coming together.

And speaking of, Charles Village residents are through playing nice with drunken and disruptive students, and Mary Pat Clarke and the Vice Squad are on the job.

As of now, declared the House of Delegates, it's illegal to secretly film your goodies in public. No comment on the wearing of x-ray spex or very shiny shoes.

Give it up already and quit boring me with this story! The Ehrlich is still going on about the slots thing.

An 11-year-old boy has been arrested for dealing heroin.

The City Paper's cover story this week is a strange tale of an officer dismissed (or not) for falsely stating that she saw a guy put drugs under a bush during a fake call. And five murders this week makes 65 for the year in the Murder Ink. Meanwhile, relatives of people in jail with mandatory sentences are fighting the law, and there's an update on the city's plan to put security cameras in high-crime areas.

A city police officer, Eric Spilman, has been changed with insurance fraud and faces 30 years.

And here's the Baltimore Messenger blotter, and the Dick Irwin special.

April 5

Teon Hall, charged with first-degree murder in the Ritz Cabaret mistaken-identity shooting of 32-year-old Craig Morris, pled not guilty at arraignment this morning. A jury trial date was scheduled for August 8 before Judge Alfred Nance.

And Coketa S. Diggins and Terrance A. Smith, charged with first-degree murder, also pled not guilty at arraignment this morning. A jury trial date was scheduled for July 11and will also be before Judge Nance.

Thought the story was over, but I was wrong... Kevin Clark's filed an appeal.

Two men were killed on the B-W parkway in a hit and run involving a white cement truck.

In Annapolis, legislators are trying to change the law to close what critics call a loophole that lets suspects out of jail while lawyers make pre-trial appeals. I think. Honestly I don't quite understand.

PG County's 43rd homicide victim of the year was 23-year-old Maurice Brown of Forestville. And here's some more PG County misdeeds.

In Easton, trial has begun for Harold Brown charged with stabbing his wife and stuffing her in the trunk, hours after he was released for violating a protective order.

Indentified victims, robbery and burglary in today's Blotter, and a police officer shot in the foot in the Metro Digest.

And according to this web site, BJ's Wholesale Club and the Hunt Valley mall are among places in Maryland haunted by murder victims. Creepy!

April 4

At a hearing today, Reginald Mickens, 43, of West Garrison Avenue, pled guilty to the involuntary manslaughter of Tammy Patterson, 42. Judge Paul A. Smith sentenced Mickens to ten years in prison. On August 20, 2004 Mickens was involved in a fight with his girlfriend, Tammy Patterson. The fight escalated and she was forced to climb out the window of a fourth floor apartment building located at 501 East Preston Street. She fell to the ground and died of multiple injuries from the fall.

This morning a Baltimore Circuit Court judge dismissed the lawsuit of former Police Commissioner Kevin Clark against the city and made him keep his severence pay. So there's the end of that story.

Twice this month, Maryland 911 operators have been caught sleeping on the job.

Two murder arraignments are scheduled for tomorrow: Teon Hall, 28, who was indicted Hall March 14 for first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Craig Morris, 32, in front of the Ritz Cabaret. Hall was also indicted for the attempted first-degree murder of a second victim who survived the shooting. And Coketa S. Diggins, 18, and Terrance A. Smith. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Diggins and Smith March 11 for first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Reshawn Myers, 19. Court documents allege Diggins shot and killed Myers January 20 in the 5700 block of Chinquapin Parkway, and it's alleged that Smith ordered Diggins to carry out the shooting.

An arrested attempted murderer, two non-fatal shootings and a teen shoplifter in the blotter.

If the suspicious shooting death of Michael Jones is ruled a homicide it'll be the first in Cecil County this year.

More charges have been filed in the Charles County arson case.

How Baltimorean! John Greeves went ape on a Peter Pan bus after the driver told him to put out his cigarette.

April 3

Crikey, there were THREE shooting deaths last night in Baltimore, and not much information about any of them.

Paul T. Holmes Jr., a Pennsylvanian, was busted for doing his heroin shopping in Baltimore.

Police blotters from Carroll and Anne Arundel county have plenty of theft. One curious item, "a 45-year-old Sykesville woman faces charges for allegedly leaving her 7-year-old daughter unattended in a car." I was amazed that this was illegal, and it turns out that the law in Maryland is that kids under the age of eight must be directly supervised at all times, and kids must be 14 before they're allowed to babysit. After eight, you can leave them wherever you want, I guess. Well, now I know, good thing I didn't get tossed in the can all those times I dashed into the dry cleaner's, eh?

April 2

An attempted escape at the Hickey School, a car chase that ended in a shooting and man shot during an arguement in PG County.

Relatives of Ifeanyi A. Iko, an inmate who was asphixiated at the Western Correctional Institution, have filed a $28 million suit.

Maryland's ballistic database system helped convict PG County's Robert Garner of the murder of Kelvin Braxton.

Officials will be working together to "put together a [police] performance enhancement plan that is more of a qualitative measure than quantitative" after accusations of arrest quotas in the department surfaced last week.

More on Howard County's first felony animal abuse conviction, aka The Case of Clyde the Cornholed Cat.

A police impersonator was arrested in Charles County.

Federal officials say a theft ring shook down local Marshall's stores for about $250k.

Nineteen-year-old Jayson R. Mitchell is accused of robbing stores in Elkton.

April 1

There's been a "police-involved shooting" tonight on Greenmount and 25th.

A sentencing hearing for Harold Singfield, 20, of Ensor Street, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Monday. A Baltimore City jury convicted Singfield February 11 of second-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and a handgun violation for the death of Wayne Fisher, 30. Says the State's Attoney's office:

"In the morning hours of May 13, 2003, in the 1500 block of Argyle Avenue, Singfield, Jr. was approached by the victim concerning a drug debt owed to the victim by Singfield, Jr. An argument ensued during which Singfield, Jr. withdrew a .380 caliber handgun and shot Fisher one time. Fisher then attempted to flee but fell to the ground. Singfield, Jr. then proceeded to straddle Fisher's prone body and shoot him five more times resulting in Fisher's death. Singfield, Jr. then ran from the scene. Witnesses positively identified Singfield, Jr. as the shooter. Additionally, during the course of his flight from the crime scene, Singfield, Jr. disposed of certain items of clothing in close proximity to the crime scene. These items were subsequently positively matched to Singfield, Jr. by way of DNA analysis. Singfield, Jr. fled Baltimore and was ultimately apprehended in Rock Hill, South Carolina, approximately one month after the murder."

In Ellicott City, the case of the guy who sodomized the family cat is drawing to a close; Steven Richard Schatz was found guilty of animal abuse and may get up to three years for his mistreatment of Clyde.

Two Maryland men were sentenced to life without parole for the execution-style slaying of a mother and daughter in Bighamton, New York.

The heroin addict who stabbed his mother to death in the walk-in fridge of the Subway got 20 years. That means he'll be eligible for parole in 10. (By the way, when I wrote some un-nice things about the Sun's reporting style I didn't mean you, Andrea Siegel! You're good goods!)

A stay of execution has been granted for Vernan Evans, Jr. The court has agreed to hear his appeal based on a January 2003 study by University of Maryland professor Raymond Paternoster that showed that blacks who killed whites were more likely to get the death penalty.

The arrest of "Fat Kenny," a mugged epileptic and a stolen Hyundai in the blotter.

In Pasadena, the murder trial of the suspected killers of Noah Jamahl Jones goes on.

Sentencing is scheduled for today at 2 p.m. for Aaron Morehead, 19. Morehead pled guilty to first-degree child abuse January 25. On August 21, 2004 Morehead beat his four-month old son, Nathan Morehead, causing a fractured skull.

In Montgomery County, a hostage situation was diffused after a man shot his wife and another woman.

Three New Hampshire rape suspects who posed as door-to-door salesmen were arrested in Aberdeen.

There'll be no bail for Donta Allen (the suspected killer of Linda Trinh).

A Baltimore City jury convicted Hugh Wade, 55, today of one "conspiracy to commit theft" count, 23 "counterfeit" counts and eight counts of identity fraud after approximately three hours of deliberation and two days of testimony. Judge Allen L. Schwait scheduled sentencing for June 1. Wade faces a maximum possible prison term of 285 years. Baltimore County Police Department Economic Crimes Unit executed a search and seizure warrant at Wade’s residence on April 25 of 2003. Police recovered multiple separate counterfeit checks in various stages of production and numerous personal identifications that had been previously reported lost or stolen. During the investigation it was discovered that these identifications were used to pass counterfeit checks in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Douglas Andrew Kukucka, accused of e-mailing threats to local officials, is on the lam in Harford County.

A former State Highway Administration employee has admitted to taking bribes... in one instance buying overpriced cans of "Whoop Ice" in exchange for pens.

In Bel Air, 28-year-old teacher John Zappola has been indicted for sexually abusing one of his students

March 31

Anne Arundel County prosecutors are persuing the death penalty for Alexander Watson Jr., who was charged with three murders in the 80's after he was linked to them using DNA-testing technology.

Theft, burglary, robberies, shootings, arrests in the blotter.

A five-year-old boy was hit with a stray bullet in the Southeastern district. Also, the death of 19-year-old Jesse Peay has been ruled a homicide.