October 21

Hakim Jordan-El, 20, and Christopher Giles have been arrested for the murders of Howard Thacker and Dante Rodney Thacker in Owings Mills.

The narcotics and murder trial of Asmar Rashad Holland, 17, is scheduled to begin 9:30 Monday morning before Judge John M. Glynn. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Holland February 26, 2004 for first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on December 1, 2003 Holland shot and killed Earl Ross, 39, at his home in the 600 block of Bartlett Street. A Baltimore City Grand Jury also indicted Holland March 15, 2004 on possession with intent to distribute, unlawful possession, possession with intent to manufacture heroin.

The trial of criminal genius Gregory A. Alston, 20, is scheduled for 9:30 Monday morning before Judge Wanda K. Heard. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Alston June 16 with two counts of carjacking, two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of second-degree assault, one count of theft under $500, one count of theft over $500, one count of car theft and one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. If convicted on all counts, Alston could receive a maximum prison sentence of 144 years. From the AP archive:

A suspect takes a car at gunpoint and drives it around for two weeks before the owner spots the car and has it towed. The thief then calls police to report "his" car stolen.

Those events seemed so improbable that Baltimore police detective Gregory Jenkins felt compelled to end his report of the incident with the admonition, "Again, this really happened."

"Another detective told me, 'Greg, you had to make this up,'" the detective told The (Baltimore) Sun.

Police charged Gregory Alston, 20, Tuesday with armed robbery, possession of a stolen car and a handgun violation.

Police say the carjacking occurred about 10:30 p.m. on April 20 when two women reported that a man armed with a silver handgun and wearing a black bandanna approached them while they were parked on a street in northeast Baltimore. The women said the gunman ordered them out of their car and sped off.

Tuesday, one of the women spotted the stolen car in front of an apartment building about a half-mile from where it had been taken.

She called police who towed it to the department's Northeast District station.

Two hours later, a man called police and reported the car stolen.

Officers brought the man back to the station for questioning. At first, police said, he insisted he had bought the car for $1,700 on March 11. Eventually, he confessed to the robbery.

Why did he report it stolen?

The suspect told police he had left his wallet in the car.

A man changing clothes in the back seat of his Buick was shot in the arm by assailants. Also in the blotter, car thieves with remarkably bad taste.

In Howard County, the medical examiner has ruled the death of Juan Miguel Gonzales, 50, a homicide, and Wayne Holder, 32, got life for shooting Bruce Solomon, 34, over drug money.

In PG County, a teacher who was attacked by a baseball-bat wielding student is back in the classroom.

Yvette Cade's family is asking for the dismissal of Judge Richard Palumbo (left). But really now, would that be fair? After all, Judge Robert E. Cahill gave a guy a year and half for shooting his wife to death, and has more than 15 complaints against him, yet was appointed to the Circuit Court by Ehrlich. And then there's notorious old Bollinger, right, still around in spite of giving a guy probation for rape and calling sex with a passed-out teenager "the dream of a lot of males."

October 20

Antonio Williamson, age 16, Sean Howard, 17, and Percy Johnson, 17 were sentenced today. For shooting two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School, Howard and Johnson got 45 years each: 25 years for first-degree assault and 20 years consecutive for use of an handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Glynn sentenced Antonio Williamson to 15 years: two concurrent 10-year sentences for two second-degree assaults and one consecutive five-year sentence for reckless endangerment.

Following a double shooting of a 30-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy in East Baltimore, the murder count is up to 219.

Corey McMillon, 28, is scheduled for a first-degree murder arraignment 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 21 before Judge John P. Miller in connection with the shooting death of Jamel Jermaine St. Clair, 17 (left). McMillon was indicted on September 26 for first-degree murder, handgun on person, and handgun used in commission of a felony and crime of violence. He was also indicted on several other counts, including robbery deadly weapon, first-degree and second-degree assault, and additional handgun violations. Court documents allege that on April 1 McMillon fatally shot St. Clair in the 2000 block of East North Avenue. McMillon approached St. Clair and started to go through his pockets. When St. Clair attempted to run, McMillon pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. McMillon is currently in the city jail awaiting trial on a double shooting. Jamel left behind a girlfriend, Shyeva Cornish, who is pregnant with his child.

Police believe that 18-year-old Christopher Gilesin is responsible for the murders of Howard Thacker Jr. and his nephew Dante Thacker at the Village Mill Court apartments in Owings Mills on October 1.

An 80-page 30-count indictment for racketeering, fraud and so on following a two-year federal investigation into the dealings of ex-state senator Thomas L. Bromwell, his wife Mary Pat and Kent Co. President W. David Stoffregen.

Remingtonians Amanda Johnson, 23, and Clyde Meadows, 26, are the first in Baltimore to be charged with felony witness intimidation. They each face 20 years. The allegedly threatened witness identified Timothy Meadows and Kenneth George as the men who shot 21-year-old Paige Boyd during an argument June 25 on Miles Avenue in Remington.

Burglary, robbery and a teenager shot twice in Parkville by a man in an Acura.

Police Captain Don Roby to Dundalk residents: kids in big t-shirts calling themselves 'the Crew' are not a gang.

Taye Willie Lynn, 19, pled guilty in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court to two counts of arson for setting his parents' house on fire in Arnold. The lawyers agree the fire was "a cry for help" -- he thought his parents loved his brother more. As punishment, he's being sent home with his parents.

Also in AA County an officer shot a pit bull after it attacked him. Scary: "[Officer] Heinecke then shot the dog in the face and the animal retreated temporarily before it attacked again."

Interesting trivia: in 1919, the population of Baltimore was 770k+, greater than it is today. There were 842 police officers (today there are about 3,000) and the total homicides for the year = 21.

October 19

The Ink reports five murders this week, bringing the total to 214.

A 32-year-old man was shot three times in the chest in front of Woodington Market in Southwest Baltimore.

More on the shooting death of Kenneth Brian Kertesz. A source believes that the shooter, Michael Wayne Baxter, mistakenly believed his girlfriend was having an affair with the victim.

By now everybody knows about the Egyptian store owner and the thing about the tunnels. As of last night the FBI had found no evidence to corroborate the threat, though four people were arrested on immigration charges at businesses with Middle Eastern connections.

It's rare that the news makes one feel actually, physically queasy, but today's pervert roundup might just: A Cecil County middle school teacher has been arrested for "inappropriately touching" the thigh of an 11-year-old student. A 62-year-old Carroll County jail guard and the county's 2004 Correctional Officer of the Year was charged yesterday with sexually assaulting a minor. And a 20-year-old nursing home employee sexually attacked a 90-year-old resident.

Stolen cars, things stolen from cars and a pizza delivery guy robbed by a man named Eqhosa Ehigiamysoe in the blotter.

A doctor in Potomac, Pradeep Srivastava is accused of evading $16 million worth of taxes.

In the TDR Law Summary, insurance fraud, a federal civil rights inquiry into the Sept. 30 shooting of Dany W. Rosales, and Ehrlich's Zen koan: "If people don't feel safe, we don't have a state. We don't have a culture or society."

October 18

A man was shot in the stomach in Woodlawn.

GeezLouise-- HoCo Police captain Tara Nelson is in trouble after trying to run her husband and his motorcycle over with her car, and on a separate occassion, holding a gun to his head. She should've talked to Kevin Clark's wife, who threw a phone at her husband's head and got him fired.

Speaking of, I wonder what happened to Stanford Franklin, the police officer fired for pointing out that the Organized Crime Divison had more cars than it could effectively use.

Isn't it ironic? Alfredo Contreras fled to Maryland to escape Hurricane Rita, only to be shot to death while trying to break up a fight.

A jury has been seated in the trial for the murder of Marylander Melvin Burns, killed 13 years ago in Oklahoma City. A DNA match implicated one Terrence Gage. And in Charles County, police are seeking the public's help to solve the 1973 murder of George Allan MacDonald.

Here's a list of Baltimore massage parlors that offer happy endings. Notes a 'reporter': "the hype about getting busted by cops is, IMHO, overblown. Hardly ever see them." (Don't forget to tip.)

How nice, a new local newspaper, the Baltimore Examiner! The company is based in Denver and intends to rake in most of its ad $ via inserted supplemental sections (watch out, Pennysaver). However, most of us will never get a chance to read it, as it will be distributed mostly in "affluent"* neighborhoods.

*Usually defined in the ad world as households with <$100k annual income and <$500k in net worth-- currently about 10 percent of MD residents.

October 17

The murder trial of Aaron Bell, 18; Derrick Davis, 18; Xavier Lewis, 18, and James Robinson, 19, will begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. before Judge John M. Glynn. The Grand Jury indicted the defendants March 28 for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and assault counts in connection with a homicide that occurred on February 23. Court documents allege that the defendants shot and killed Reginald Gray, 18, while he was a passenger in a car. Three other victims in the car also sustained injuries in the shooting.

The Court of Special Appeals confirmed Jovan House's first-degree murder conviction in the shooting death of police detective Thomas Gary Newman. Newman was shot nine times outside of Joe's Tavern in Dundalk in retaliation for testifying in a previous case against a defendant, Andre Travers, who shot him in the neck.

Theodore Bratis, 26, of Dundalk, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the Friday night stabbing death of Gregory Takacs, 20.

In the blotter, Dyron Hardnett, 27, was stabbed in the face but drove himself to the hospital, and a woman in Dundalk was shot in the face in a "domestic incident."

An officer in the North Point Precinct fatally mowed down a teenager on a bicycle.

Edward J. Stresewski, 32, of Baltimore was indicted in Stafford County VA for possession of burglary tools, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, conspiracy, two counts of fraudulent use of identification, attempted burglary and tampering with a vending machine.

Attn CV muggers: now that the hubub about the Ensler and Trinh murders has died down, Hopkins van service will now stop running at 10 p.m., effectively stranding any students caught out late at night. However, Captain George Kibler said, "If we've got a young lady out there by herself, we'll get her." Perhaps the Captain is unaware that statistically men are significantly more likely to be victims of violent crime than women, and more likely to be assaulted by strangers in public places. Or maybe he's just sexist.

Not only are skirts no good at being mugged, you can't even trust em with the laundry: Pamela Y. Hoffler-Riddick, 44, a mother of two and former edcation official who was employed in Baltimore, PG, MoCo and Virginia has pled guilty to five counts of money laundering for a $20 million drug ring. She faces 100 years, with time off for perfect makeup, flawless skin and a remorseful headshot to die for. Photo left, Bill O'Leary, WashPost.

October 16

Three Marylanders were killed in Iraq when their Humvee was rear-ended, including Brian Connor, a 32-year-old city firefighter and grandfather. Thirty-three Marylanders have now died in "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Dos hombres mataron a una mujer en el condado de Somerset.

A man stabbed to death in Dundalk Friday night was identified as 20-year-old Gregory Joseph Takacs.

Butterfingers! A 25 year-old gang member and murder defendant was mistakenly released in PG County.

Enviro-crime that makes you go hmm: traces of pharmaceuticals in the runoff from the Blue Plains sewage treatment plant, which serves VA and DC as well as Montgomery and PG counties, has created mutant fish and bivavles with "bizarre sexual traits".

Speaking of MoCo, a 17-year-old employee of Jerry's Subs was stabbed during a robbery attempt.

So MoCo isn't perfect, but overall the county's crime is down 12 percent and it has excellent schools, and the powers that be are supposedly adding police and correctional officers. And Silver Spring has been cleaned up (nowhere near the challenge of Baltimore City, but it's something). Because of that, this site is endorsing Doug Duncan for dem. candidate/governor. BTW does anyone know-- if O'Malley loses the gubernatorial thing, will he still be mayor? Or will we be electing a new mayor at the same time? And if so, who's running?

October 15

A passenger and driver were shot then crashed yesterday morning in the 3300 block of Frederick Avenue.

In the Annapolis Area, Delbert Maurice Owens stabbed his estranged wife, Andterri Ora Thompson, and himself in front of their 11-year-old son. Both adults were flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

See your tax dollars at work and scare the kids straight from 9 a.m. to noon today at a free tour of Baltimore County's new jail at Kenilworth and Bosley!

How did Gilbert Sapperstein, who pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy, bribery and theft in connection with a scheme to defraud the city school system of $3.3 million, get his jail time cut in half?

Neighbors in the York Road corridor have started a crime watch listserv. Also in the Messenger, stolen mopeds, CDs and wallets.

In White Marsh an officer is on routine administrative leave after shooting a gun-toting car thief from Essex in the elbow.

October 14

A 21-year-old former football player, Brandon Cherry, was shot dead as he resisted getting mugged near the Northwood shopping center.

A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Ronald McClary, 59, of West Pratt Street in connection with the shooting death of his wife, Eartha McClary, 44. Court documents allege that on September 20 Ronald McClary shot his wife in front of their home. McClary is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. An arraignment is scheduled for November 8 before Judge Lynn Stewart.

The murder trial of Cedric Stancil, 30, is scheduled to begin 9:00 a.m. Monday, October 17 before Judge Eward Hargadon. The BCity Grand Jury indicted Stancil March 1, 2004, 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 felony narcotics charges.

The murder trial of Tavon Blackstone, 25, Eric Kendall Colclough, 29,and Brandon Hall, 18, and William Younger Woodland, 25, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday before Judge Edward Hargadon. The Baltimore Grand Jury indicted all four men April 7 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.

In the blotter, the woman shot in her home near Rogers avenue was identified as 39-year-old Sandy Crawford. A man shot in Leakin Park (first I've heard of the incident) was identified as Stephen Robinson, 55. No word if his soul will be wandering in purgatory in time for the haunted hike.
The judge who dismissed Yvette Cade's proective order has been removed from domestic violence cases by the court's chief administrative judge, Thurman Rhodes.

More insanity in PG County (I try to just focus on BCity, but on the other hand it's kind of hard to ignore an entire county falling into violent anarchy): Keith Ingaharra of Clinton, was shot about four times with a handgun Wednesday after arguing with Alfred Evans, 39 during a road rage incident.

Case to watch: the second time, Easton police have arrested a woman for giving birth to a crack baby. Stephanie Robbins, 24, is being held on $25,000 bail for child abuse, reckless endangerment and drug possession.

... other recent ACLU project: complaining about the Christian comedy show "Attitude Check: A Pizza Blast with Rick and Mick." (Would Katie O'Malley Simpson be Martin's sister?)

In Elkton, police are seeking Thomas Johnson, 41, a convict who escaped through a prison laundry vent.

Trial starts today for Randallstownian Daniel Baldwin, accused of securities fraud in the eChapman.com case.

October 13

We're up to 209 murders, the majority of this week's unreported until Ditkoff found them. Glad to hear there's been an arrest in the murder of Abdul-Bari Muhammad, the 17-year-old shot in the parking lot of Mondawmin Mall. The arrestee is 18.

Think we've got it bad? Well, we do, but in PG County, murder is up 18 percent, carjackings are up 55 percent and robberies are up 34 percent from last year.

And more horrors from PG county: Yvette Cade, the woman whose soon-to-be ex-husband set her on fire, just weeks ago pled with judge Richard Palumbo not to dismiss a protective order she taken out against Hargrove filed in July, to no avail.

Oswald Victor Voigt, 48, pled not guilty this morning for first-degree murder in connection with the death of Robin Hoey, 36. A Baltimore Grand Jury indicted Voigt on September 9. Court documents allege on August 9 police officers found the body of Robin Hoey inside a safe. The Medical Examiner concluded that Hoey died as a result of asphyxiation and ruled it a homicide. Voigt confessed the murder to investigators.

In Dundalk, 23-year-old Sarah Glover got 15 years in prison for paying 18-year-old Kevin Martin to beat up Joseph Salisbury, an ex-bf who kicked her out for drug use. Martin got 30 years.

Marco Silver, 36, was shot in the head in a Towson apartment.

David Braxton, charged with witness intimidation, failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment today. Judge Lynn Stewart issued a warrant for his arrest. Braxton had previously posted $50,000 bail.

A 20-year-old was stabbed in the forehead then wandered into an elementary school in Randallstown.

A Glen Burnie man, Dexter Bert Tyson, 31, is facing life without parole in Federal prison on drug and weapons charges.

Jessamy and Glenn laid into the parole commission, saying their methods are "impossible to sort out" and "arcane and mysterious, beyond all understanding." Hey bitchin, there also appears to be no password needed get into the law digest, either! Thanks Raymond, way to keep the little rag relevant.

And it's arrest-o-rama in the blotter. Police say that they made a record number of arrests in July and August.

A 21-year-old "dad," Paul James Jr., has been arrested for making the bomb that the 17-month-old drank while in grandma's care.

Oh, you wacky addicts, stealing lightpoles. And speaking of HotSpots, where's the scrap metal yard that would buy a city lightpole, no questions asked? I agree with you, 'non-- HotSpots are stupid. First the gun buyback and now this, what's with the City resurrecting techniques that are proven failures? How about a little window-fixing action for a change?

Chuck makes a point: only in Baltimore could a 35-year-old woman be beaten to death in her home with shovels and only get a single, passing mention in the local media.

October 12

No suspects, no motive in the shooting death of a woman in the Northeastern.

Jerrod Bernard Byers, 22, was shot three times near North Avenue and died about two hours later at Shock Trauma.

Coyotes were thwarted by a cell phone with a GPS chip when they tried to abduct 22-year-old Hugo Umana.

Got a smack habit to the nth degree? While you wait for a bed to free, do tai chi and drink chai tea at the city's Threshold to Recovery! Meanwhile, the County has been forced to suck it up, pay $20K and allow a methadone clinic to open in Pikesville.

The city's going after intimidators: An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning for David Braxton, 24. Court documents allege that on March 14, 2005 Braxton did threaten and harass two witnesses in a shooting investigation.

"No bail" status for Roger Hargraves, accused of setting his wife on fire.

October 11

Osborne Robinson, Jr., 59, of E. 33rd Street, is scheduled for arraignment at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Lynn K. Stewart for manslaughter in connection with the death of James Royster, 58. A Baltimore Grand Jury indicted Robinson on August 30. Court documents allege on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 Royster was sitting on his front steps in the 1800 block of North Bond Street when he was approached by Robinson. Words were exchanged between the two men which led to an altercation. Afterward, Royster was in severe pain and transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he fell into a coma. Royster remained in a coma and on life support until his family decided to remove him from life support on July 14, 2005. Robinson is currently released on a $50,000 bail.

Jessamy announced today that a Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Charles Benedict Knott Sr. 51, of the 1300 block of Clipper Heights Avenue in connection with the death of James Garrett, 56. Court documents allege that on September 16, 2005 in the 1100 block of West 36th Street Charles Knott and James Garrett got into an altercation which resulted in Knott striking Garrett several times with a cane about the head. Garrett was transported to Union Memorial Hospital where he later died from his injuries. Knott is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

What the ?! In Clinton a man went into the T-Mobile store where his wife worked, doused her with gasoline and set her on fire.

A 15-year-old was arrested for carjacking a woman in the parking lot of a shopping center in Towson.

How to Get Robbed:

• If you hear a knock on the door and you don't know who it is, find out by opening the door.


• Walk around the city in flip-flops and a baseball hat, by yourself, drunk, late at night


• If someone starts talking to you on the street, stop imemdiately and pay attention to what he's saying! He needs a cigarette? You bet! What time is it? Better stop and check the watch! Your car's broken down over there? Tell me more!


• Leave your iPod on the seat of your car


• Park your SUV at a Towson mall, and gas it up at discount urban filling stations late at night.


• Leave any doors, gates or windows unlocked, don't buy curtains and put a camcorder on the coffee table.

The murder trial of Martin Morgan, originally scheduled to begin today, has been postponed at the request of the State until January 30, 2006.

William Nicholson pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Judge Roger W. Brown scheduled a sentencing date of January 9, 2006.

Good reading from the archives: Sun's "Cases crumble, killers go free: Police blunders in homicides leave city's 'lifestyle of death' unchecked". Good pie graph action.

October 10

There is a plan, and it has a name! O'Malley announced a $3 million expansion of the HotSpots initiative.

Marine Major Michael J. Brown is in Baltimore County Jail facing kidnapping charges for the the alleged kidnapping of Lu Jin, 18. Brown was arrested in Okinawa last year and convicted of attempting an indecent act and destruction of property. The case made headlines in Japan when the military refused to hand him over to local authorities.

Two murder victims have been identified: Davon Jackson, 22, was found shot on N. Chester street in the Northeastern. Garette Saunders, 27, of Gaithersburg was the man shot in the Hummer with Texas plates. And Edgewater murder/suicide victims have identified as Kenneth Brian Kertesz, who died, and William Augustus Snow Jr., who survived. The murderer/suicide was named as 30 year-old Michael Wayne Baxter Jr.

Police arrested a suspect who plowed his car into a 53-year-old female pedestrian and attempted to flee the scene.

A man stabbed his wife and then himself in Annapolis.

Courts will not be in session due to Native-American Holocaust Remembrance Day. In honor, garbage and recycling will pile at the curb.

ps. the "comments" feature is experiencing technical difficulties

October 9

A success story: Chiacgo's CeaseFire program may have played a part in the city's amazing murder-rate drop. Reports the founder of the program, the number of killings has been cut nearly in half in CeaseFire zones since outreach workers hit the first neighborhood in 2000. (Login dallas123@news.com, password 123456)

A vigil in Dundalk was held to commemorate the 70 Marylanders who lost their lives to domestic violence last year. If that number is accurate, then that's 1 out of 4 for 2004. Hey, did you know in 2003 Maryland was just behind Louisiana in the homicide rate? After Katrina are we first now?

A hit-and-run driver killed Lamont Kennedy, 28. Also, Kendall Charles Alexander Sr., 41, wanted for killing an officer and robbing a bank, was arrested on Rolling Road.

Three correctional officers entered "not guilty" pleas for the beating death of Raymond K. Smoot, 51.

Loved ones are holding a vigil in Frederick for an 18-year-old who was holding an air gun when he was shot to death by police.

Ew, perverts! A roving man broke into a student's room near U of MD in College Park, laid on top of her and fondled her while she was sleeping in bed.

The 4th circuit court of appeals will hear The Sun v. Ehrlich.

Some guy named Doug Duncan is apparently also running for governor.

Bored at work? Channel 13's web site reveals fascinating details about its orange-cheeked anchors, such as that Mary Bubala is a short Libra, and Kai Jackson's favorite band is Earth, Wind & Fire. Marty Bass enjoys pork sandwiches and thinks that math is hard. Ooh, baby, I just want to get in your head! And Mike Schuh's favorite interview? "anyone who connect with the audience" over Spicy Ho Fun. Hey I have an idea-- how about sending the crack reporters who reported on the reporters to whip up half as much of a report on murder victims and the not-so-fun hos? Or a story about how the state of education is so bad, JZ can't find Mike a copy editor? They all suck but you, Mary Bubala-- that gal can intonate the hell out of a 'prompter feed, and I think she might be smart, too. Maybe she can talk to her Chicago people and come up with that hard-hitting Emmy report on what CeaseFire could do. Richard, introduce her your connections and retire already. How weird that Bob Turk is the only one from Maryland!

The "Stop Snitchin" shirt has hit the NYT magazine. Unshockingly the majority of sales are to suburban kids. Laments a designer, "it's almost like they don't know what it means."

October 8

Thanks 'non- A now-former corrections officer and two inmates are off the hook for the stabbing of Ronald Scott, on account of Scott being stabbed to death by someone else. According to charging documents, the former correctional officer, Sherman Lawrence, 21, arranged Scott's first stabbing at the Detention Center.

A Howard County 16-year-old was arrested for setting up a moonshine still that produced two teaspoons of whiskey.

October 7

Albert Antonelli, the killer of hot cop Duke Aaron III, got his official three-year sentence today. His wife Jennifer left a touching statement on the memorial page of another fallen officer, Brian Donte Wilder.

A triple shooting in Edgewater-- a double attempted homicide + suicide. I wish BAL had a better stock illos. than that gun pointed at my head, like a photo of the actual people involved.

The tale of politician/crime victim A. Robert Kaufman illustrates the difficulty of putting Quaker beliefs into practice.

The attempted murder, witness intimidation trial of Joseph DiAngelo (the dude who hired the guys to beat a witness with a table leg), originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until November 4 at the request of the defense.

Not-so-Heavenly Creatures: A Bethesda lawyer, Elsa Newman, was found guilty of consipiring with her best friend Margery Landry to kill her ex-husband.

The murder trial of Tyrone Beane, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until December 15. Judge Lynn Stewart ruled there was cause for this postponement because there were no courts available.

A DC think tank's sobering report on Bmore drug crimes: "four out of five convicted offenders in Baltimore need treatment [for drug addiction]."

October 6

An arraignment is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning for Antonio Watts, 17, before Judge Stewart for attempted first-degree murder. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Watts on September 2 for allegedly shooting Leroy Lanteon, 46. Watts was also indicted on attempted second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, and varies handgun violation counts. Court documents allege that on April 20 in the 1600 block of North Patterson Park Avenue police arrived to the crime scene to find Lanteon suffering from a gunshot wound. Watts was identified through eyewitness accounts.

Antonio Mosby struck a deal with prosecutors to testify in the federal case against cops and robbers William A. King and Antonio L. Murray, accused of shaking down drug addicts.

On 36th and Elm I saw a mature and experienced-looking policeman out of his car and having a conversation with the local teen apprentice hoodlums! WTF is that, some actual community policing and shit? A cop out walking the beat in Baltimore... now I've seen it all. See, Jim [Kraft], that's really all it takes to make Mrs. Jones happy (and really that's what the blog is all about, in spite of what it says in the CP). If the kids know they're being watched maybe they'll move their loud foulmouthed dimebag-selling asses under the bridge where they belong and off my stoop.

Carjacking, robbery and theft in the blotter.

The autopsy revealed nothing in the Villa Julie student/dead baby case (or at least nothing the coroner is revealing-- surely they put a wad of alveoli in water to see if it floated).

In BaCo, the Scott Peterson of Rosedale, Charles Lee Johnson, got life in prison from Bollinger for killing the mother of his child, Dionne Renee Saulter, 26.

What the?! A child drank from a bottle of chemicals that his grandmother(?) was using to make a homemade bomb.

Also in the burbs police arrested four people for armed stick-ups at the Owings Mills metro station.

The trial of Joseph DiAngelo, 51, of Wells Avenue, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Wanda K. Heard. 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. The home occupants killed one of the individuals. The other individual, William Morton, pled guilty last month to burglary. DiAngelo is being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Sites will prosecute this case.

Baltimore city's juvenile offenders may be sent to out-of-state campuses, at the cost of $47,000 to $97,000 per hoodlum per year. (Reminds me of my former college PoliSci professor's saying: "the government only knows how to focus on what comes out of the horse." He studied in Bmore- coincidence?)

Audrey James, 50, got 90 days from John Glynn for stealing $335k from Head Start.

Justice, Frederick-style: a guy got jail time for throwing a shoestring at an officer.

Students at the U of MD endorse O'Malley.

October 5

Former correctional officers, Dameon Christopher Woods, 33, of Baltimore County, Nathan Delmont Colbert, 42, and James Leonard Hatcher, 43, are scheduled for arraignment before Judge Lynn Stewart tomorrow. Woods, Colbert, and Hatcher were indicted on August 16 for second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, and conspiracy to first and second-degree assault in connection to the beating death of Raymond K. Smoot, 51. Court documents allege that on May 14 Smoot was in custody in his cell at the Central Booking and Intake Facility when he was beaten to death. Second-degree murder carries a maximum possible prison term of 30 years. I'll be interested to read the city's brief.

The murder trial of Ernest Harris, Jr., 54, of Churchville, MD is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Shirley M. Watts. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Harris June 2 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 4 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. And if that wasn't bad enough, Harris is currently out on bail.

Warren Brown to Hamm: y'all need to cut out that liberty-disregarding "jive lip service."*

A 17-year-old high school senior was shot in the head while walking through the school parking lot.

A 25-year-old Baltimore man, Shonari Warren, rejected a plea deal in PA. He's charged with killing Leonard Smith Jr., a heating-oil delivery man, based on an eyewitness picking him out of a photo lineup. Warren claims he didn't do it.

Last Friday, a man in a Hummer with Texas plates was gunned down near Reisterstown Road Plaza.

A baby in a storm drain leads to 20-year-old a Villa Julie student.

City Councilman James B. Craft blames me for the city police's high number of fishy arrests.

A crackhead led state troopers on a "high"-speed chase.

The attempted murder trial of Keyona Dillon, originally scheduled to begin Monday, was (how shocking) postponed to November 7.

A cop cashed stolen traveler's checks in Easton.

Walter Robertson, Jr., charged with sex offense, was held on $120,000 bail following a bail review hearing at Wabash District Court.

Slow news day: This NBC affiliate illustrates why watching tv news is a waste of time.

*announcing the first-ever BCrime contest! The best make-believe Hamm or Jessamy "lip service jive" quote will win the equivalent of one hour of a Baltimore City teacher's salary via Paypal! Good luck Super Honkies and Spades! Don't let your mouth get your ass in trouble!

Must be original and actual jive. Ebonics, Shaft and Cleopatra Jones quotes will be disqualified. Void where prohibited.

October 4

Back form the relative peace and tranquility of Oakland CA. Thanks, tip-linkers, for helping out. Indeed, crime is way down... almost everywhere but here. Are we seriously a city with a singular, unstoppable "culture of violence"? And if so... whose fault is it?

An arrest has ben made in the murder of Nachin Pak, a restaurant worker in Cherry Hill.

Frank Thodos got 15 years for distributing child porn.

In Owings Mills, robbery appears to be the motive for the murders Howard Thacker Jr. and his 17-year-old nephew, Dontay.

In Halethorpe, Shawn James Sullivan, 31, was arrested for shooting Matthew Stumpf, 30, and John Gilchrest, 32.

I effing hate these stories... a dad mistakenly broiled his one-year-old to death when he forgot to take him to the babysitter's and left him in a car in Hunt Valley, instead.

In Hamilton a family was robbed. Also missing is a Bassett-hound-looking dog named Max.

September 28

The blogger will be away until late next week. Please leave links to stories that readers might "enjoy" in the "comments" department.

Here's a good one from the Sun archives about the differences in the application of the death penalty between the city and the county from 2002.

September 27

Erik Johnson, 32, of Orleans Street, and Juan Tucker, 29, of West Fayette Street, pled guilty today to use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, first-degree assault, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Tucker to five-years in prison without the possibility of parole, and Johnson to seven- ears in prison with all but all but three years suspended and three years probation for second-degree assault and concurrent sentences for obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. On April 13, 2004, Johnson and Tucker threatened a homicide witness and attempted to convince the witness to not appear in Court in for an upcoming homicide trial and to retaliate against him for testifying in Tucker's case by using a handgun.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Corey McMillon, 28, for first-degree murder, handgun on person, and handgun used in commission of a felony and crime of violence in connection with the shooting death of Jamel Jermaine St. Clair, 17. McMillon was also indicted on several other counts, including robbery deadly weapon, f st-degree and second-degree assault, and additional handgun violations. Court documents allege that on April 1 McMillon fatally shot St. Clair in the 2000 block of East North Avenue. McMillon approached St. Clair and started to go through his pockets. When St. Clair attempted to run McMillon pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. McMillon is currently in the Baltimore City jail awaiting trial on a double shooting. An arraignment is scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2005 before Judge John P. Miller.

The trial of Myron Merrill Gladney, 19, is scheduled to begin 9:00 a.m. tomorrow before Judge John Glynn. On June 1 a Baltimore City grand jury indicted Gladney on charges of attempted murder and intimidating a witness. Court documents allege that on April 6 Gladney approached the victim (who was scheduled to testify in the homicide trial of his brother) at E. 25th Street and Harford Road and shot him in the stomach.

At a hearing today before the scheduled start of the "Spam®" murder trial, Michael Hughes, 58, pled guilty to second-degree murder and wear/carry/transport a handgun. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Hughes to 20 years in prison, suspending all but three-years and three-years in prison, concurrent, for the handgun count. (So six years then?) Hughes was extradited to Maryland in December 2004.

In arraignment court today, Donatz Winston pled not guilty and a trial date was set for December 2 before Judge Heard.

September 26

This story about elderly murder victims notes that the current Baltimore homicide clearance rate is 36 percent. The national average is about 67 percent. Even with a generous curve, that's an F-minus in my classroom.

The murder trial of Michael Hughes, 58, of the unit block of Anson Street, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Hughes for first-degree murder January 3 of this year. Court documents allege Hughes murdered McKinley Johnson, 40, on December 24, 1974 in the 1700 block of Baker Street. News sources reported the murder was over a stolen can of Spam®. A murder warrant was issued for Hughes in 1974, but he was not arrested until summer 2003 in Boston and extradited to Maryland in December 2004. Hughes is currently being held without bail. Assistant State's Attorney and Homicide Division Chief Mark Cohen will prosecute the case.

Yay, some witness intimidation prosecutions: A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sandy Rogers-Howerton, 44, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 2, Hargrove District Courthouse, 700 E. Patapsco Avenue. Court documents allege that on July 2, 2005 Rogers-Howerton attempted to influence/intimidate a witness in the discharge of his duty. The witness reports that Rogers-Howerton and an accomplice threatened the witness and family members with assault and harassment. And the witness intimidation trial of Erik Johnson, 32, and Juan Tucker, 29, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 N. Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Johnson and Tucker May 14, 2004 for intimidating/corrupting/influencing a juror/witness. Court documents allege Johnson and Tucker attempted to intimidate and retaliate against a witness in a pending murder case in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Johnson and Tucker are currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Assistant State's Attorney Samuel Yee is prosecuting the case.

The murder trial of Michael Johnson, 15, of the 1600 block of West Franklin Street, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Edward R.K. Hargadon. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Johnson for first-degree murder and handgun counts May 18. Court documents allege that on December 1, 2004 Johnson shot and killed Flenall Carter, III, 19.
Johnson is currently being held without bail.

The victim who died in the Water Street triple-stabbing has been identified as Stanley Thomas, 35.
Also identified was Terrance P. Williams, 18, who was stabbed to death in East Baltimore.

A homicide arrest for the murder of Thomas Mason, 35, in the blotter.

Baltimore County police have arrested 22-year-old Geremiah Johnson for first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault and arson in the death of Evelyn Amereihn and the stabbing of 22-year-old William Clark Mitchell.

The Euerildo Vasquez kidnapping case was postponed because interpreter was not present. The new court date is October 24.

Police say two of the three deaths in Howard County Detention Center were suicides.

Dontaz Anthony Winston, 23, is scheduled for arraignment for two counts of firearm violation Tuesday, September 27 before Judge Lynn Stewart. Winston was indicted by the Baltimore Grand Jury on August 22 for handgun on person and for possession of regulated firearm after being convicted of drug felony. Court documents allege that on August 3 police officers observed Winston ditching a firearm in a rear yard of a vacant dwelling in the 900 block of North Streeper Street. The firearm was recovered by police officers and Winston was arrested at the scene.

A pair of federal employees, Franklin G. Thomas and Andrea D. Harrison, are facing a max of 20 years after they pled guilty to stealing from the SSA and NASA.

After the "Staying Alive" program showed success, the city has trained about 800 people to know the signs of heroin overdose and admister naloxone, (right) and the health department is seeking to expand the program. Thanks to better availability of the drug, last year the city recorded 261 fatal overdoses, the lowest rate since the turn of the century.

The anti-snitching tee shirt is the 2005 "X" cap. Baltimore's fashion statement to the world has even been featured in the latest L'il Kim video.

O'Malley will anounce his bid for governor this week.

September 25

Did you know that a guard convicted in the Abu Ghraib scandal, Robert Jones, left, is now with the Baltimore Police?

Dan Rodericks knows well that human beings can only empathize with one person at a time, hence, another meditation on the evils of the drug trade, this time as a profile of a 25-year-old dealer who got beat up, impregnated some girl and now lives with his mom. Here's a more uplifting Baltimore story.

The York Road Giant has increased security following the July robbery of five teenagers.

In Baltimore County, police have arrested more than 100 people as part of Operation Just Cause in Landsdowne and Riverview.

In AACo a 19-year-old in has been arrested for shooting and killing 24-year-old James Tico Smith.

In Carroll County, assault and vandalism.

September 24

The 17-year-old victim shot outside of Mondawmin mall was identified as Abdul-Bahiri Muhammad.

A suspicious death on the West side.

Liquor Board Non-Shocker: it's really corrupt. More intriguing: two undercover police officers were posing as dancers.

One of Ehrlich's advisors, Edward B. Miller, is accused of money laundering for a lobbyist. Will he get the Joe Steffan treatment for that ethical breach? Line's posted at 1:5.

Bad Behavior in the Burbs Dept
euuu... Stanley A. Taylor, 79, a former Boy Scout leader and grandfather of 34 and great-grandfather of 10, pled guilty in circuit court to a third-degree sex offense and a child-pornography charge for taking naked pictures of a nine-year-old girl in his minivan in the Wal-Mart parking lot. But for some reason he's not in jail and is bragging to neighbors that he's "free as a bird." Here is a map to his house.

Someone robbed a gas station in Landsdowne on Hammonds Ferry Road and shot the feisty owner, George Panchigar, in the leg.

Weird: two murders outside of two different high-school football games. A girl gang beat a 15-year-old to death in the parking lot. And in Germantown, two men beat 23-year-old Stephone Wiggins to death with a mini-baseball bat after yesterday's Seneca Valley-Northwest High School football game.

Someone shot and killed a 19-year-old hotel desk clerk, Jerry Alan Wills III, at the Day's Inn in Waldorf, for no immediately apparent reason.

September 23

A man was shot in the head at Mondawmin mall.

In the blotter, an arrest in the murder of Curtis Streat, 27, of Laurel.

Judge Wanda K. heard denied a juvenile transfer motion yesterday for Keyona Dillon, 14, charged with attempted first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on May 31 of this year Dillon stabbed Shatina Quinn with a kitchen knife at Margaret Street and Washburn Avenue (in the Southern). Nearby men broke up the fight, Dillon fled and was later arrested while trying to hide in an abandoned house. The victim survived, in spite of a two-inch stab wound to the heart. Dillion remains charged as an adult and is scheduled for trial October 3.

The woman who was stabbed and had her house set on fire in Dundalk was identified as 63-year-old Evelyn Ameriehn.

Euerildo Vasquez, 27, of Belair Road, is scheduled for arraignment Monday. Vasquez was indicted on August 12 by a Baltimore City Grand Jury in connection with the kidnapping of a two-year old boy. Court documents allege that Vasquez took the boy from the El Salvadore Restaurant 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.

Why is 19 year-old Moshe Khaver not in prison and getting meals delievered to Central Booking by his mother? The controversy rages on, with Judge Evelyn O. Cannon now also demanding to know what the deal is.

Did Paris Hilton give teenagers marijuana and bourbon while filming in our fair state? And wasn't Carmelo Anthony supposed to be filming a Public Service Annoucement?

Mikulski wants no killers at Arlington.

Why does everybody like to flee to Baltimore County?

A Nigerian immigrant got 14 years for an indentity theft scheme that he ran while working for Southwest Airlines at BWI.

September 22

Godawful suspicious fire death on the 600 block of East 30th Street. Sixty-four year-old artist and painter Myron Terry Koenig was found in his living room.

An armed-and-dangerous bank robbery suspect, Kendall Alexander, 41, left, is on the loose.

An O'Malley interview by WBAL notes that in 2004 violent crime in Baltimore was up 4 percent. The term "inconsistency in leadership" comes up. As in, even the Democrats are saying there's doesn't seem to be much clue what the plan is, or whose job it is to establish priorities to go about making the plan. Are we fixing "broken windows"? Are we "targeting hot spots"? Wiretapping? Building bigger jails and kicking off some executions? Adding more drug treatment facilities? Anyone? Anyone?

The state is now taking charge of education at the state-run juvenile jail. No mention as to who was running it before.

There was a triple stabbing at 2:15 this morning on Water street.

A 27-year-old man was stabbed in East Baltimore.

We Know Who We're Working For: Poisions have been found on Lockheed Martin's property, which the company wants to turn into condos.

A couple of Democrats stole Michael Steele's credit report.

A snakehead in Potomac got 6 1/2 years for fraud.

Two arrests for attempted murder and a lot of stolen stuff in the blotter.

Instead of this week's murder ink, readers are advised to visit the March Homes Funeral Registry. Here's Christopher Richardson, 15, whose 15-year-old murderer was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison.

Down in Anne Arundel County The Capital reports that some teens were charged with arson, a convenience store robber was caught, and two employees of an armored-car company stole $99,000 from three Wal-Marts. And a prisoner was stabbed at Jessup.

Pinocchio? Lamp-wick? Two 30-something Dundalk residents were pulled out of the water, drunk, after jumping off of a stolen boat near Pleasure Island.

September 20

Suspected gang member Derrell Miller pled guilty to the first-degree murder of Derald Guess, a father of nine from Edgewood.

In the blotter, 23-year-old Harvin Sandoval was arrested for the first-degree murder of 15-year-old Jessenia Dubon. Police are also seeking a second suspect, 25-year-old Oman Hernandez.

In Carroll County, a woman got a 10-year prison term for three counts of vehicular manslaughter-- she was driving 100 mph, drunk, to get to Target before it closed.

A Pasadena woman got two years for neglecting a man with Down's Syndrome.

A man in a bird mask robbed the Maryland Zoo.

Speaking of dirty birds, other Orioles are being questioned about Palmeiro's steriod use.

In Overlea, police are warning parents about a suspicious man seen hanging around school-bus stops.

A grand jury report found that Maryland's prison health care system is inadequate.

DJ equipment, a pair of pants, a cat, a PlayStation and a seven-year-old Chrysler = stuff stolen in the northern 'burbs lately.

Hey wow, a ray of hope that maybe I can stop this depressing-ass blog one day! The Sun has a new section, "Crime Watch Digest"!

September 19

Plenty of burglary and theft going on in the Northern.

In Dundalk a woman was stabbed and her house set on fire.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning for Kevin Scott, Jr., 15, of the 1900 block of Dukeland Street, before Judge Paul A. Smith at the Courthouse East on North Calvert St. A Baltimore City jury convicted Scott August 1 of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and armed robbery. 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.

Charles Benedict Knott Sr., 51, was scheduled for bail review at 11:30 today. Last Friday, September 16, Knott got into an argument with James Garrett in the 1100 block of 36th street. Knott allegedly hit Garrett over the head twice with his cane. Police responded and Garrett was taken to the hospital where he later died of his wounds.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Torri Fatherly, 26, today of voluntary manslaughter and carrying a concealed deadly weapon after three days of testimony and five hours of deliberation. Judge Sylvester Cox will sentence Fatherly on November 9 where she will face a maximum prison sentence of 13 years. On July 12, 2003 Fatherly stabbed to death Kevin Blackston, 20, in the 1600 block of West North Avenue.

At a hearing Friday, September 16, Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Felicia Hayes, 19, to 13 years in prison, suspending all but five (otherwise known as eight years in the can). Hayes pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and use of a deadly weapon March 9, 2005 for the death of her boyfriend, Christopher Wynn, 21. On October 15, 2004 Hayes stabbed to death Wynn during an altercation in their apartment located in the 6000 block of Amberwood Road.

September 18

A jury will have to figure out if the shooting of Landsdowne resident Deneen Smith was murder or an accident.

An arrest for first-degree murder, a stolen Jag, plus the "odor of burning marijuana" leads cops to an illegal Glock and a trove of hollow-point bullets in the blotter.

In Anne Arundel county a jury found that the shooting of unarmed, naked 20-year-old Donald Coates by the police was justified. Also in AACo a woman was raped in her home in Glen Burnie.

September 16

A man was beaten to death at around 3 p.m. in front of the Hampden Family Center on 36th street. Rumor on the street is that one old man accused another old man of molesting his granddaughter, then proceeded to beat the geezer to death with a cane. I was interviewed by Keith Daniels. He didn't like my answers much.

Rod: "As a citizen, what do you think when something like this happens?"
"Well, gentrification, schmentrification, you can put in some boutiques but Hampden is still Hampden."
RD: "Let me ask this another way... as a human being, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about something like this?"
Me: "As a homeowner, I hope my property values aren't affected. And if it's true he was a child molester, it's kind of hard to feel bad for him."
RD: (getting frustrated) "But as a human being how does this loss of human life make you feel?"
Me: "Well, *sigh* (finally deciding to give the guy what he wants to hear).. the amount of passion and anger it takes work up the strength to physically beat someone to death is difficult to fathom, and it's shocking that something like this would happen in broad daylight right in front of the family center where children are getting help with their homework."
That seemed to satisfy him. And now I know why none of the "concerned neighbors" on the local news are ever quoted as things like "that bitch had it coming!"

On that note, in Essex an 18-year-old as arrested for the Labor Day shooting death of Charles Clark, 20.



Freaky looking sex offender Joshua Keller, above, tried to abduct a 7-year-old at Glendale Elementary in Glen Burnie.

The trial of Linda Trinh's accused murderer has been postponed.

An article about the jurors in the Espinoza/Canela murder trial.

In PG county, Jerome Anthony Proctor was shot to death.

More on the man and woman stabbed in Liberty Heights.

September 15

Steven Richie Craft, 39, of Loch Hill Road, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before the Honorable Lynn Stewart on Calvert Street in connection to the attempted first-degree murder of Baltimore City Police Officer Edward Mendez.
Craft was indicted by the Baltimore City Grand Jury on August 11 for attempted first-degree murder, 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 arrested on July 17. Craft is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status.

State pension system defrauder Nathan Chapman is in trouble with the feds again, this time for not paying the agreed-upon settlement.

Study: drug use among Maryland inmates is up 20 percent.

A Cecil County judge has granted a change of venue for John Dougherty, who is accused of starving the mother of his children to death.

A Severna Park man, Harvey Brown, was convicted of raping a 24-year-old Bowie woman on the Baltimore-and-Annapolis trail.

David Martin, 29, was shot while driving a van in Columbia.

Is Moshe Khaver, 19-year-old son of a prominent Park Heights rabbi turned Cherry Hill drug dealer, getting preferential treatment in jail?

A lot of stolen stuff and a carjacking in the Messenger crime log (fyi Roland View Avenue is between TV hill and Park Heights Ave).

An editorial by Dan Rodericks about the high cost of Maryland's drug laws.

Not a crime, but too weird not to mention: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made a special trip to Charm City just to visit the National Aquarium, of all places.

September 14

The Ink reports five murders this week, bringing the toll to 191.

WTF?! dept: Baltimore Police arrest about 200 people a day, 32 percent of them without charges. Last year about 100,000 people were processed through central booking. How could that even be possible? The city population is only 620,000!

A man and a woman were stabbed this morning on Liberty Heights Avenue.

And in Edgewater Jose Amaya was arrested for stabbing his live-in "girlfriend" to death.

A hit-and-run driver rear-ended a man and his girfriend who were riding a Harley on an exit ramp on 695. Police are looking for an amoral asshole driving a late-model Chrysler with front-end damage.

Cradlerock school in Columbia was robbed of computers at gunpoint.

A story about the challenges of the city's needle exchange program.

In Howard County, police arrested 52 people on various drug charges following an eight-month investigation flamboyantly dubbed "Operation Mesmerize."

Seven members of The Pioneer City Boys, an AA County gang, were indicted for conspiring to sell crack.

Police cameras caught some guys in the act of trying to sell a stolen handicapped tag.

In spite of an attempt to use a bankruptcy loophole to weasel out of proceedings, the Erotica strip club (formerly known as "Chubbies") on Eastern Avenue was fined $3,000 and must suspend operations for 30 days for various violations.

September 13

A Baltimore County jury today found Javon Clark guilty of attempted armed robbery, but not guilty of murder.

A crashed car and a woman with a slit throat are a mystery in Northeast Baltimore. Also, Rrtired Baltimore Archbishop William D. Borders was accused yesterday in two lawsuits of covering up charges of sexual abuse against a priest.

Police in PG county are looking for a serial stick-up robber.

An attempted murder arrest, robberies and an explosive device tossed on a porch in the blotter.

Three school campuses in Randallstown were on lockdown today as police searched for murder suspect Lance Aaron Backus.

A perv was arrested for soliciting an undercover agent in Frederick.

September 12

The murder and attempted murder trial Emanuel Young, 24, is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Edward R. K. Hargadon. Young is charged in three separate shooting incidents - five people were shot, one fatally. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Young July 21, 2003 for the April 13, 2003 first-degree murder of Marcus Gordon, 20, in the 3000 block of Oakley Avenue. Two other men were wounded. Young was also indicted for the attempted murder of a 40-year old man who was shot June 11, 2003 in the 2300 block of West Fayette Street, as well as the attempted murder of a 21-year old female who was shot June 13, 2003 in the 2900 block of Oakley Avenue. Young is being held at the Baltimore City Detention Center on a no bail status.

Richard A. Damon, Jr., 35, pled guilty today before his murder trial was scheduled to begin of two counts of second-degree murder for the murders of Theresa Moore, 51, and Michael Mick, 40. Under the terms of the plea agreement announced today in open court, Damon will receive two 20-year prison terms, concurrent, when Judge John M. Glynn sentences him October 25. On January 20, 2005, Theresa Moore and Michael Mick were shot and killed inside of their home in the 800 block of Bradford Street by Co-Defendant Antoine Adams while he and Damon were participating in a robbery at that address. A city jury convicted Adams last month of two counts of first-degree murder and he will also be sentenced October 25, 2005.

Robbery after robbery in the blotter.

More on the Odenton Fire Hall shooting spree.

Serial arsonist Thomas Sweatt got life plus 136 years for setting fires that killed two old ladies.

As others get rich off of the tee shirts, Stop Snitchin filmmaker Akiba Matthews goes on trial today for cocaine and heroin possession. UPDATE: The trial has been postponed until October 26 before Judge John C. Themelis. The defendant hired a new attorney.

In Frostburg, six field hockey players have pled guilty to hazing and were fined and put on probation. New team members were forced to drink to the point of alcohol poisioning and sit in their own vomit and urine. Go team!

September 11

Two Baltimore judges in separate rulings in the past two weeks have said they don't believe the police officers who investigated gun cases, prompting prosecutors to dismiss charges. Meanwhile, unprosecuted "Quality of Life" crimes are pissing people off.

Two men were stabbed Friday at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

A gunman shot three people outside the Odenton fire hall.

Attorneys say the Javon Clark trial may end tomorrow.

Three women and one man were arrested for prostitution and maintaining a brothel at the Presence of Mind massage parlor in Ellicott City.

An 18-year-old wanted in New York for killing her 6-month-old baby was arrested in Baltimore working at a doughnut shop on Falls Road.

A Massachusetts paper covers a cold case in Bel Air, the murder of Tina Louise Leone in 2003.

Three young men were arrested for selling marijuana on Falls Road in Hampden.

Robbery, vandalism and assault in the Carroll County blotter.

September 10

Javon Clark claimed yesterday that he was held hostage by his friend and forced to rob William Bassett.

Why are Baltimore County's police dogs getting sick?

September 9

A Baltimore City jury returned guilty verdicts against Antonio Williamson, 16, of Mello Court, Percy Johnson, 17, of Southeast Avenue, and Sean Howard, 17, of East Fayette Street in connection to the October 21, 2004 shooting of two teenagers in front of Thurgood Marshall High School. The jury heard testimony for two weeks and deliberated two days for reaching its verdicts. Williamson was convicted of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and second-degree assault. He faces a maximum total prison term of 25 years. Johnson was convicted of first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and two handgun counts. He faces a maximum total prison term of 53-years. Howard was convicted of reckless endangerment, first-degree assault, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and two handgun counts. He faces a maximum total prison term of 58 years. Williamson, Johnson and Howard shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School at 5700 Moravia Drive. The defendants remain held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 20.

The trial of Joseph DiAngelo, 51, of the 100 block of Wells Avenue, was scheduled to begin at 9:30 this morning. 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. The home occupants killed one of the individuals. The other individual, William Morton, is facing assault and burglary charges.

The child abuse trial of Darryll Purefoy, 34, of Liberty Road, Randallstown, was scheduled to begin this morning, but was postponed for the FOURTH time, this time because no courtrooms were available. Tthe trial date was originally set for March 8, but the defense attorney was in another trial. Then it was postponed to March 25 by State request. Then the defense requested a postponement until today. And today no courts were available. 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. At least said perv is in jail right now, but that poor victim and the witnesses must be, like, so pissed, if they haven't moved out of state by now.

So that's why my neighbor said "I gotsta get me down the bus stop"! Transit police and federal agents have made 23 arrests of people selling prescription drugs* at transit stations.

*excuse my naivete... what are they selling? Oxycontin?

September 8

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Clifton Gee, 46, of the 6700 block of Shaken Wood Road, for first-degree murder today in connection with a homicide that occurred more than 11 years ago. Court documents allege Gee stabbed to death Queen Esther Watson, 29, on May 14, 1994 in her home in the 200 block of South Bethel Street. Gee was linked to this murder by DNA testing conducted by the Baltimore City Police Lab and the Maryland State Police Lab in February 2005. He is currently being held by the Division of Correction where he is serving a five-year prison sentence in an unrelated case. An arraignment is scheduled for October 12.

Opening statements today in the case of 18-year-old Javon Clark, accused of helping murder William Bassett in the Towsontowne mall parking garage.

Police have located dozens of sex offenders who've moved to Maryland from out of state and not registered with local authorities.

Local prisons have become donation collection points for Katrina victims.

A Reston man who traveled to Frederick to meet two 14-year-old "girls" had his conviction overturned on account that the girls were cops.

Someone broke into Lt. Governor Michael Steele's Chevy Suburban and took four cell phones.

September 7

In the murder ink a shooting and Baltimore's third older black woman to be asphyxiated in her home.

The shooting death of Earl Tillman has inspired anti-police tee shirts.

A Woodlawn man stabbed his wife and cut himself.

A murder suspect, James Davis, 16, was spotted by police but evaded capture.

Momoh Abu Conteh, Treasurer to city councilwoman Paula Johnson Branch, was arrested and charged with theft, embezzling and perjury.

BoCo councilman Stephen G. Samuel Moxley got probation for driving drunk in a county-owned vehicle.

In AA County a policewoman was dragged 45 feet by a car driven by Tony Joseph Wieland of Jessup, a suspect attempting to flee. Wieland was arrested after a brief car chase.

A fuel-delivery driver is accused of stealing gas from the state highway administration.

September 5

Funding for drug treatment has fallen off by more than 10 percent in the past two years due to a decrease in federal funds and private grants. "Ehrlich has pushed for more rehabilitation in prisons and announced last month a new initiative to spur private funding of drug prevention and treatment. But his support for treatment has not been reflected in his state budgets, advocates say."

In Towson, 25-year-old Melvin Dashiel Greene was shot after a fight in a parking lot.

In Millersville, 17-year-old Kevin Michael Weingart was stabbed to death in the parking lot of Marley Station Mall. A 16-year-old was arrested and charged.

In Columbia, 20-year-old Eric McGhee was found lying face-down, beaten and stabbed to death.

In Pittsburgh, Andre Staton, 38, of Baltimore, was ordered to stand trial for murder after an 11-year-old testified watching him stab 26-year-old Beverly K. Yohn to death.

Edward Grunell Howard Jr., 38, was shot to death in Severn.

The death of an inmate at the Howard County Jail is being investigated.

Burglary, assault and a break-in at Killer Trash in the blotter.