March 14

Murder Ink covers a multitude of homicide convictions and closed cases, along with the deaths of Michael Woods, Richard Stuckey, Anthony Bryan, Allen Coates, and Damon Smith. This is the first media mention of Anthony Bryan's death, who was 37 years old when he was shot once behind his right ear in the Southwest neighborhood of Rosemont last Friday.

Three men have been killed in Baltimore since Monday. An unidentified man was shot late yesterday morning during an argument in the 1600 block of Cliftview Ave. in East Baltimore. Early yesterday morning, Tyrone Jackson Jr. was fatally shot on the front porch of his family's house on Brook Ave. in the Northeast. On Monday night, Mark Robinson was found on the sidewalk in the 2700 block of Harlem Ave; he had been shot repeatedly and died at Shock Trauma.

Nancy Jean Siegel allegedly killed her much-older boyfriend more than 10 years ago, and his been cashing his Social Security checks ever since.

Convicted murdered Lawrence Banks may go back to prison for parole violations, while PG police investigate whether he was involved in the murders of his girlfriend's daughter and granddaughter.

Death row inmate Lawrence Borchardt, convicted for killing an elderly couple who helped him while he was a heroin addict, died in his cell on Sunday.

There's a serial bank robber running amok in the city. And a former bank robber contemplates all of the wasted years and wasted lives.

A citizen in Charles County helped capture some neo-Nazis.

A mother and son in Washington County were indicted for stealing from the liquor board.

March 13

Travis Davon Terry was convicted of first-degree murder today by a Harford County jury in the shooting death of Edwin Lee Potillo. He could get a death sentence.

Police and family members are seeking new information about the murder of Gap Suk Suh, who was murdered on Friday, November 3 after a minor accident with a Buick Rendezvous at the corner W. Mulberry St. and Jasper St. Suh would have turned 60 yesterday.

18-year-old Raymond Zubrowski Jr. has been missing from North Point for 45 days and "seems to have disappeared without a trace."

Good times in the city over the past few days: a shooting, two shootings, a shooting, a shooting, and a bank robbery.

Joseph Kopera's false credentials and make-believe science may lead to the review of hundreds of murder and shooting cases.

Perv of the day: William Wray of Crespatown, who was charged with abusing an 11-year-old girl.

Perv of the day, part II: A transcript from last night's "Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees" on CNN, where Headline News anchor Thomas Roberts discusses being abused by former Calvert Hall chaplain Father Jerome Toohey from 1987 - 1990.

Michael Dean Jackson Jr. got the maximum sentence -- 10 years -- for voluntary manslaughter for shooting Anthony James Owens-Smith to death in Howard County.

Leeander Blake's confession is admissible in his federal murder trial.

BFD Captain Brian K. Edwards is in trouble for talking to the Sun.

The City Council is considering banning BB guns because they "have the same effect as real guns when they're used by criminals." Uh, yeah, the same effects, except for real bullets' tendencies to tear flesh and shatter bones and destroy organs.

In other City Council news, members unanimously agreed that the death penalty is bad, even if the killer used a BB gun.

Evening

An e-mail from TheSunLies@gmail.com:
"TheSunLies didn't disappear after Ehrlich's loss. It continued through January and is in the process of finding a new server. Checkout [sic] www.baltimorereporter.com for the interim posters. Please note your mistake."

At a hearing today, Jeffrey Morgan, aka Chester Moore, 42, of the 900 block of East Chase Street, pled guilty to robbery and robbery deadly weapon. Judge M. Brooke Murdock sentenced Morgan to 12 years in prison. On October 3, 2006 at approximately 10:20 p.m. in the 500 block of East Lombard Street victim Lisa L. Dickerson was preparing to enter her MTA vehicle when Morgan approached and stuck a screwdriver into her right side stating, “I will poke you. I will hurt you.” Morgan then reached across her person, removed her GPS, and then fled the scene. Dickerson subsequently entered her vehicle (MTA vehicle equipped with a siren) and began following defendant with siren activated. Pursuit continued into the unit block of Market Place where three security officers were able to apprehend defendant. Morgan still possessed Dickerson's property and screwdriver.

A Baltimore City jury today convicted Erskine Jones, 30, of the 2400 block of North Calvert Street, of first-degree rape, third- and fourth-degree sex offense and second degree assault. The jury deliberated approximately five hours following two days of testimony. Judge David Ross scheduled sentencing for March 20, 2007. Jones faces a maximum possible term of life plus 10 years in prison. On May 16, 2003 Jones raped and threatened to kill the victim, telling her he had a gun. The attack occurred in the rear of 317 Dolphin Street. Police identified Jones with a DNA search of the Combined Offender Data Index System (CODIS) in November 2004. The victim identified Jones in a photo array two weeks later. Jones is currently charged with an additional five rapes with five separate victims and is awaiting trial, scheduled for March 20, 2007.

March 12

Two reported killings over the weekend: On Saturday, Allen Coates was at a birthday party at Maceo's Lounge. He confronted a man who was "groping" a woman at the party and was repeatedly shot as a result. Early Sunday morning, 40-year-old Damon Smith was found in an alley of the 5000 block of Denmore in the Northwest; he had been repeatedly shot more than an hour before.

17-year-old Andrew Tuell was arrested in Utah for the Annapolis murder of Terrance Powell, and Daniel Lawson was arrested in Glen Burnie for last week's murder of James Fabian in Brooklyn Park (AAC).

BaCo popo want CoCo.

A 50-year-old Delaware woman traveled to Harford County and unsucessfully hired a hit man to take out her step-mother.

DNA evidence led prosecutors to drop charges against Andre Christopher King, accused of raping an 8-year-old. The victim's family still claim that he did it.

A 16-year-old was killed when his drunk friend crashed into a tree.

A librarian was robbed at gunpoint in the elevator of a parking garage while she was on her way to work at the Towson public library.

A happier, friendlier Central Booking awaits you.

Gregory Kane looks at the recent stabbings at the Maryland House of Corrections in Jessup.

A man who might have been drinking a the flight from Phoenix was arrested at BWI for slapping flight attendants.

It's not right to work so hard for your constituents yet bring home a paltry $80,000, so I think we'd all agree that our city leaders deserve an 18-to-26% pay increase.

Perhaps our state workers also deserve a raise, so they can stop watching porn at work and do it at home instead.

March 11

"What happens to freedom of thought when the government knows your thoughts?"

Copper wire, a 13-year-old minivan, a Nintendo Wi, two aluminum ladders and a backpack.

March 9

It was a banner week for city prosecutors.

Devon Richardson, 15, of the 5100 block of Belair Road pled guilty today to second-degree murder. Under terms of the plea agreement, announced in open court, Richardson faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 20 years suspend all but a maximum of 10 years when Judge Wanda K. Heard sentences him on May 3. According to court testimony Richardson, who was 14 at the time, was a child in need of assistance (CINA) who was not in school the day of the incident. On September 26, 2006 Richardson shot and killed Janice Letmate, 67, with a .22 caliber rifle while she was walking home in the 4000 block of Biddison Lane. Letmate suffered a single gunshot to the head. One witness described him as aiming the gun and another described him as holding the gun in her direction when the gun fired.

This afternoon a Baltimore jury convicted Erik Stoddard, 26, of the 2500 block of Moore Avenue, of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and first- and second-degree child abuse resulting in death. Prosecutors proceeded with a new trial after the Court of Appeals vacated Stoddard's 2003 conviction. The jury deliberated for approximately four hours before reaching its verdict following five days of testimony. Judge Allen L. Schwait ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for May 9, 2007. Stoddard faces a maximum possible prison term of 60 years. The backstor:

A Baltimore City jury convicted Stoddard March 13, 2003 of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death for the death of Calen Faith Dirubbo, 3, and Stoddard began serving a 60-year prison term. On December 8, 2005 the Maryland Court of Appeals vacated Stoddard's conviction, citing evidentiary issues regarding hearsay testimony. The mother of an 18-month-old child who witnessed the murder testified how a surviving child now acts and that the child asked, "Is Erik going to get me?" These statements were not used by prosecutors in this second trial.

On June 15, 2002 Dirubbo was pronounced dead at her home, where she lived with her mother and Stoddard. Dirubbo died as a result of multiple beatings over a period of at least a month; the fatal blow occurred June 15, 2002 and severed her bowel. The State proved through detailed medical evidence that Stoddard was the only person who had custody of Dirubbo when the fatal blow occurred. Julie Drake, Chief of the Felony Family Violence Division, and Assistant State's Attorney Jeremy Eldridge prosecuted this case.

Robert J. Brown, 46 and a former soldier, had been working as an apartment super until he was arrested for raping and killing a woman 23 years ago near Bad Homburg, Germany.

Joseph Kopera, a ballistics expert for the state police, shot and killed himself last Thursday, a day after leaving his job as a state police ballistics examiner. Officials said his academic credentials were being questioned, they expect a ton of defendants to appeal, and now the backgrounds of all state police lab employees are being audited.

What's old is new again: Baltimore police are walking the streets, and the difference has been "mind-boggling."

The final Tamil Tiger on trial, Haji Subandi, pled guilty to conspiring to ship surface-to-air missles to Sri Lanka.

Jesse Holbrook, 16, allegedly dragged a police officer more than 200 feet during a traffic stop on Route 40 in Elkton. Holbrook was arrested and charged as an adult with multiple traffic violations, resisting arrest and assault ("charged with charges").

A decade later, theories abound, but still no one really knows who killed Biggie.

March 8

A teenager was shot in the face in the 3200 block of Phelps Lane in the Southwest last night.

Steve Carr, 38, of the 3800 block of Hillsdale Avenue in Baltimore, will be arraigned Friday, March 9 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Martin P. Welch. Carr is charged with Armed Robbery and Assault on A. Robert Kauffman on December 6, 2006, in his home in the 2000 block of N. Hilton Street in Baltimore. Court documents allege that Carr assaulted A. Robert Kauffman on his head with a brick, and then took his wallet with more than $100 in cash.

Police are looking for Jose Elder Montufar, 28, of Parkville, friend of the victim's uncle, wanted for the kidnapping and rape of a 13-year-old girl in Govans who only habla español.

Eighteen years for Steven Lee, 20, from Judge John Glynn after Lee pled guilty to second-degree murder for shooting and killing Edward Brown in the 1300 block of Mosher Street during an argument on January 5, 2006.

Thomas Harris, 33, turned himself in for the first-degree murder of Karim Cross, whom he allegedly stabbed in the Rush Hour Bar on Liberty Road in Randallstown.

Immediately after being "tied up in court this week" with client Ameer Taylor, Warren Brown zipped up to Bosely Avenue to take the stand at a motions hearing for his former client, Jamaal K. Abeokuto, who has a second death sentence-related hearing next month.

William Wright, 37, got 15 years after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"Baltimore County police shot a woman who charged an officer yesterday while she was holding knives in a house in Essex."

Not Baltimore but makes for Good reading anyway Dept.:
CA's vague medical marijuana laws have local police in a bind.
(MD allows medical marijuana, but I've never heard of anyone atempting to use MD's law as a defense)

Headline of the week : "Man boasts he had sex with mayor"
No, it's not about Baltimore (sadly) but about SF's much-stalked Gavin Newsom.

March 7

A Baltimore jury convicted Ameer Taylor, 32, of the 7400 block of Barkers Court, today of first degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge David Ross sentenced Taylor to life in prison for the murder and a consecutive 20 years for the handgun count. On June 2, 2005 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Samuel David Richardson (right) and his girlfriend were walking home from their jobs at the Rendez-Vous Bar on 26th street. As they walked along the 400 block of West 26th Street Taylor drove past them, stopped his car, backed up to them, said something to Richardson and fired two fatal shots, striking him twice in the head.
The conviction is surely a relief to Liz and the Richardson family.

Murder Ink recounts last week's victims Vernon Carter, Vic Finner, Thomas Terry [our 48], and Anthony Brown, notes arrests for muders of David Savage, Stephanie Stevens, Harold Robinson and Marcus McDowell.

Bodyguards for teachers?
An Art teacher at Waverly middle school was assaulted by students and quit in fear for her safety, now the state is seeking to suspend her certification for breaking her contract.

The Justice Department acknowledged yesterday that Thomas DiBiagio was forced from office, but an employee says it was the "front-page indictment" memo that did in his career.

"The governor, attorney general, state's attorneys, police chiefs and three-quarters of the House of Delegates all are gung-ho to pass legislation expanding the ability to prosecute" alleged gang members for "participating in a criminal gang knowing that the other members engage in crime" but the definition of "gang" sounds awfully vague: "to be a gang, it must have some kind of identifying sign, symbol, name, leader or purpose."
So if call up your friends and plan to meet them somewhere to do something, you're a gang.


Edgy new billboards invoke Itchy Man.

March 6

The Baltimore City Grand Jury today indicted Vivian Day, 49, of the 2000 block of W. North Avenue, on charges of first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on December 28, 2006 Vivian Day struck and killed her friend, Nelsene Burnette, 44, with an object during an altercation. Subsequently, court documents allege Ms. Burnette was found in the bedroom closet in Day's apartment. Ms. Burnette had been reported missing by a family member days before Day revealed the location of Ms. Burnette. An arraignment is scheduled for April 6 before Judge Martin P. Welch, Rm 228, Courthouse East. Assistant State's Attorney and Division Chief of Homicide Mark Cohen will prosecute.

Former MD Federal prosecutor Thomas DiBiagio says he was forced out of his job because he had investigators "interested in tracing substantial payments made by a gambling company to a political marketing business in Maryland with ties to Maryland Republicans."
Ehrlich, on the other hand, says he was made ineffective due to lingering resentments over the Edward "R." Norris affair.

The 19-year-old shot on West Hamburg Street and driven to the Hyatt died at Shock Trauma [48].

Dept of WTF?
Tracey Gardner-Tetso, who went missing on her way to a Crüe concert two years ago, is still gone without a trace, and it's implied an estranged husband may be involved somehow.

State police found a human skull and some other creepy crap in a cauldron in Conowingo.

Police are still looking for the Valentine's Day rapist of Arbutus, and have released a sketch.

Fledia Powell, nominated for a County panel for the disabled, is accused of talking crazy talk and pulling a shotgun on her son's girlfriend.

Whomever shot Russian intelligence expert Paul Joyal in PGC last week "did not, as law enforcement sources said, take his wallet, the victim's adult son said yesterday."

Charles: Whether Antoine Jones of Waldorf was one of the area's biggest cocaine importers and money launderers, or merely a successful nightclub promoter, the jury simply could not decide.

O'Malley to China: quit eating our terrapins!

March 5

Isaiah Simmons' death at Bowling Brook in Carroll County has been ruled a homicide, and an FBI investigation will commence.

On March 2, 2007 the BC Grand Jury indicted Nicholas Deminds, 19, of the 700 block of Linnard Street and Steven Blunt, 33, of Martinsburg West Virginia on first-degree murder and other counts. Court documents allege on January 31 Stephanie Stevens, 22, was fired upon by two individuals as she approached the 700 block of Edgewood Street. Nicholas Deminds was identified as one of the two individuals responsible for the shooting. The other individual fled on foot in an unknown direction. Ms. Stevens died as a result of her injuries. An arraignment is scheduled for March 27 before Judge Lynn K. Stewart Room 215 Mitchell Courthouse.

A pre-teen boy and a man were shot shot during an apparent home invasion attempt in the 2000 block of Smallwood Street, the man has died [47].

Pam Morgan found out who killed her son Jason Convertino in a month, but had to wait three years for the killer to be indicted.

WMAR on new reception court:

Officials in Baltimore's Circuit Court are hoping to take some of the agony out of jury duty. They are shuffling criminal case assignments and hope to reduce the amount of time that jurors spend doing nothing. Until now, each judge has had to hear dozens of routine court appearances on their daily calendars before beginning their trials. Now those routine cases are being managed by two judges -- freeing the eight other judges to concentrate solely on trials. The change takes effect today.

PDJ: County gymnastics coach, Patrick David Bogan, 41, charged with possession of "more than 800 videotapes and magazines showing children having sex with men, and books and newspaper articles about pedophilia and child abduction."

"Only she knew who they were." Broadwater procured the Brandy Britton file, found she kept very responsible notes.

Sun Op-Ed: we've got to do something with the crazy people!

March 4

Broadwater: Two die every three days in "Murder City" and police have solved only nine of 2007's 45 official murders.
Ed Norris: "Could you imagine if 300 white kids were killed in this city? ... the National Guard would be on every corner. There's a genocide going on, and everyone’s ignoring it. It's just disgraceful.”

Correctional officer Edouardo Edouazin, 28, is recovering at home after being shanked with a handcrafted weapon. His wife told police that her husband was threatened when he began working at the prison in November.

PGC:
Amara Eden, 31, left, was arrested after firefighters found her five children, aged six months to six years, had set a fire trying to cook their own food. Then it gets worse.

Paul Joyal, a Russian intelligence expert and government critic, was shot in the groin on his way home from a trip to the Spy museum, soon after he said on TV that the Putin government was probably involved with the poisoning of a former K.G.B. agent.

March 3

Get In On It! Two men shot in the 100 block of West Hamburg Street "created a raucous scene Saturday night when they turned up with multiple gunshot wounds" in the valet parking area of the Hyatt Regency on Light Street.

Prep school days:
Following the death of Isaiah Simmons, Bowling Brook Preparatory School will be closed.

CEO David McDowell Robinson is in hot water for running a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors, including Katrina victims. You know it's Baltimore when "Gilman" is in the first sentence!

Post: A PGC jury "yesterday convicted a county police corporal of assaulting four teenagers when he pepper-sprayed them last year, marking the first time in at least 12 years that a Prince George's officer has been convicted in state court for law enforcement-related use of force."

Jim Brochin of the county says Joseph Vallario is the guy standing the the way of the new Sex Offender Evidence Bill.

A bench warrant was issued last week for former Da Band rapper Young City, right, (from P. Diddy's reality show), after he missed a court appearance stemming from an arrest six years ago for robbing a man with a BB gun in Eastpoint Mall. Young City (née Kevin Barnes) is in jail in Gwinett County, GA., following an arrest for assaulting his "girlfriend."

Envigorated by the overwhelming popularity of Glowing Metal Hermaphrodite Looming Over the Train Station and those beloved, ubiquitous candy-colored giant metal curlicues, city officials hope to force all new publically funded construction costs to pay 1 percent of costs towards more public art.

The Texas oysters had their revenge on MD food-festival-goers February 9-11.

What if indeed!

Funniest! Billboard Ever!
For literally months I drove by it and assumed it was urging people to get tested for some "social disease"!
I finally noticed it's for ... the Sun.
I love how it asks and answers its own question!
"What if you didn't know?"
You'd be a Sun reader, of course!
(Wouldn't "what if you knew" be more, um, positive?)
Wonder how many thousands the Tribune paid for that powerful call to action to get news from somewhere else?

March 2

Starting Monday at the courthouse: "Reception Court."
Explains an insider: "The goal of reception court is to have all the cases for trials appear before two judges, one in each building. They will personally review all these cases then send them off to other judges who presumably will not have dockets since all the cases will be before the so called reception courts. Determinations will be made as to what cases should go forward, etc, based on how old they are, how many times they have been postponed, etc."
Fascinating!

Marc Steiner spent two hours talking about Baltimore crime, and in the modern fashion both shows are available as a two-part podcast: Hour one, hour two.

The trial of Ameer Taylor, accused of killing Samuel Richardson June 2 of 2005 behind the Rendez-Vous is scheduled begin Monday. The trial's start date has been postponed three times. The word from the office of Mrs. J:

The murder trial of Ameer Taylor, 32, of the 7400 block of Barkers Court, is scheduled for trial 9:30A a.m. Monday, March 5, 2007 before Judge David Ross, 203 Mitchell Courthouse ... A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Taylor February 15, 2006 for first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony crime of violence, and handgun on person in connection with the fatal shooting of Samuel Richardson. Court documents allege that in the early morning hours of June 2, 2005 Taylor pulled up to Richardson, who was walking in the 400 block of West 26th Street, pulled a handgun and shot Richardson several times. Richardson was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As if your girl-crush wasn't already heavy, ♥Jayne Miller♥ digs into the clusterfuck that is the bail-bonds business, and hounded the guy who posted bail for Brandon Grimes down Calvert Street.

What the?! Twenty-year-old dad Kenneth George Ryan huffed keyboard cleaner (?!), beat his 15-month-old-son Julian Woody to death.

Sign of the times: WBAL reported that three people were shot at a birthday party on the East side... and in spite of the crime scene tape, the party kept on.

Again?! Another officer has was attacked at Jessup, and the suspect is a 38-year-old convicted murderer serving a life sentence.

In the Eastern, a man shot two guys sitting in a parked car.

The man found dead in the area of Max Blobs Park Road in Jessup was ID'd as Leonard Richard Prahl, 55.

"A trooper found $300,000 in powder cocaine in a minivan with New York license plates on Interstate 95 in Cecil County during a traffic stop."

Red Light Cameras-- PSA

F your I, the Department of Transportation has added some new red light cameras. "Phase I" cameras click and flash, but the new "Phase II" cameras don't-- they just look like glass bubbles. They'll not only send you a big fat ticket and a picture, but also a code you can enter online to see a little movie of your offense!

PHASE I LOCATIONS
Northern Parkway & Falls Rd.
Northern Parkway & York Rd.
Reisterstown Road & Patterson Ave.
Eastern Avenue & Kane St.
Edmonson Avenue & Hilton St.
Edmonson Avenue & Cooks La.
Franklin Street & Pulaski St.
Orleans Street & Gay St.
President Street & Fayette St.
Russell Street N B & Hamburg St.
Russell Street SB & Hamburg St.
Light Street & Pratt Street
Pulaski Highway & Monument St.
MLK Jr. Blvd. & Washington Blvd.
Franklin Street & Franklintown Rd.
Hillen Road & Argonne Dr.
North Avenue & Howard Str.
Patapsco Avenue & 4th St.
Lombard Street & Gay St.
Reisterstown Road SB & Fallstaff Rd.
Hanover Street & Cromwell St.
Park Heights Avenue NB & Hayward Ave.
Park Heights Avenue SB & Hayward Ave.
Harford Road & North Ave.
MLK Jr. Blvd. & Pratt St.
Northern Parkway EB & Greenspring Aven.
Northern Parkway WB & Greenspring Ave.
Reisterstown Road & Menlo Dr.
Edmonson Ave. & Athol Ave./Woodridge EB Edmonson Avenue & Athol Ave.
Frederick Avenue & Catherine St.
Park Heights Avenue & Violet Ave.
Sinclair Lane & Moravia Rd.
Russell Street & Bayard St.
Wilkens Avenue & Desoto La.
Pratt Street & Howard St.
Northern Parkway & Waverly Way
Cold Spring Lane & Hillen Rd.
Liberty Heights Avenue & Dukeland St.
Hanover Street & Reedbir d Ave.
Ft. Smallwood Road & Ft. Armistead Rd.
Wabash Avenue & Garrison Blvd.
Walther Avenue & Glenmore Ave.
Franklin Street & Cathedral St.
Perring Parkway & Belvedere Ave.
Cold Spring Lane & Roland Ave.
Cold Spring Lane & Loch Raven Blvd.

PHASE II LOCATIONS

Caton Avenue NB & Benson Ave.
Caton Avenue SB & Benson Ave.
Reisterstown Road & Druid Park Dr.
Wilkens Avenue & Pine Heights Ave.
East 33rd Street EB & The Alameda
The Alameda SB & East 33rd St.
York Road & Gittings Ave.
Potee Street & Talbot St.
Gwynns Falls Pkwy & Garrison Blvd.
Charles Street & Lake Ave.
Wabash Avenue & Belvedere Ave.
Harford Road & Walther Blvd.
Orleans Street & Linwood Ave.
Erdman Avenue EB & Macon St.
Erdman Avenue WB & Macon St.
Macon Street NB & Erdman Ave.

A shooting at the Yellow Bowl, Eastern District, February 18, 1989.

March 1

What's the difference between Baltimore and Newark, NJ? Our prosecutor won't file charges in any single-witness case without "extensive forensic corroboration."
Good thing there's always lots of that lying around!

Raymond Boyer, who raped a 4'10" 90-year-old immigrant woman in Cockeysville, apologized "for everything, for the inconvenience."
Investigators matched DNA evidence from a sweatshirt Boyer left at the scene. He'd been convicted of killing a man in 1986 in the city and got 24 years.

Alton Ray Teel Jr., 42, was arrested for the murder of Daniel Savage [#40 of 2007].

Valerie Hill, mother of Rickie Tinsely, [#179 of 2006], says that "the word on the street was it was meant for someone else." Tinsley had no criminal record and left behind a 4-month-old son. There are still no suspects or motive in the killing.

"Not that attractive" Phony Romeo Hillard Jay Quint of Pikesville bilked ladies out of thou$and$.

Federal:
David C. Faison, an employee of 36 years at the Bureau of Engraving from Largo, Md., pled guilty to counterfeiting. Faison was made to explain how he did it and in exchange was sentenced to a year and a day in jail plus restitution.

AAC:
Wonder if sales are up or down at the G&M Restaurant since Jeffrey Rites got stabbed by Keith Anthony Rantin Jr. over a crab cake?

It seemed like a win-win at the time... a second woman pulled over by officer Joseph Mosmiller for a DUI has come forward to say he offered to let her out of a ticket if she'd flash her rack.

Fredneck:
Drinking, driving and killing someone has a high price in Fredneck! David Helms, 44, got seven years for negligent manslaughter and DUI.

PGC:
A traffic stop led to the arrest of Jose Gomez, a murder suspect with Guatemalan ties.

February 28 evening

Believe it, Baby! No smoking in city bars starting January 1 2008.
And $100gs of nicotine patches for the poor!

"A routine attempt to pull a car over in Baltimore County early this morning turned into a bizarre televised police chase across suburban Maryland that veered briefly into the District."

Carefree days of youth dept.
Jury selection will begin this afternoon in the case of Erik Stoddard, to be presented presently before Judge Allen Schwait, Part IV, Room 400 Mitchell Courthouse.
The backstory: On December 8, 2005 the Maryland Court of Appeals Judge Raker vacated Stoddard's second-degree murder conviction, finding that an out-of-court "utterance" made by Calen's 18-month-old cousin, Jasmine - "Is Erik going to get me?" - was impermissible hearsay."
A Baltimore City jury convicted Stoddard March 13, 2003 of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death for the death of Calen Faith Dirubbo, 3. Court docs say that on June 15, 2002, little Calen was pronounced dead in the home she shared with her mother and Stoddard, her new Daddy. Dirubbo died as a result of multiple beatings over a period of at least a month with the blow that fatally severed her bowel occurring June 15, 2002.

A transfer hearing for Kemoni Sterette, a juvenile charged with murder, was scheduled for this morning before Judge Welch, Part 18, Courthouse East, 111 N. Calvert Street. Court documents allege Kemoni Sterrette was seen with co-defendant Antoine Oliver moments before a shooting incident at the Unity Hair Salon in the 2200 block of Garrison Boulevard on May 13, 2006 in which the victim, Justice Georgie, was shot and killed after trying to stop the robbery. A. Robert Kaufman helped identify Sterette.

Courtney Smith, a 15-year-old witness to the slaying of a Hagtown woman, said the fatal bullet was meant for someone else.

February 28

His mom went to jail, then 17-year-old Vic Roy Fenner [46] was fatally shot in the head on Monday night on Guilford and 21st in Barclay.

Anna Ditkoff reports on the murders of Charles Pace, Darnell Cain, Brian Lessane, Andre Jones, Antonio Harris, and two unidentified victims.
Grouses a reader,

"The 2300 block of Barclay is not particularly 'near' Lovely Lane Church in any significant manner worth noting as it is closer to other establishments of familiarity. And the 1800 block of Clifton Ave is not near enough to Druid Hill Park to serve any useful purpose. The 1800 block of Clifton isn't even in a neighborhood adjacent to the park. In dense urban areas, many places are near lots of other places. The relevence of distance changes relative to the density of the area. These reference points only serve to confuse and confound..."

Robert Brazell was left to die after everyone in the HoCo high school brawl ran away. Meanwhile, police were busy busting an underage drinking party that several of Brazell's former schoolmates were attending.

Perhaps Club Choices should be renamed Club A Whole Bunch Of Kids Stabbing Each Other.

Pat Jessamy testified yesterday for better witness intimidation laws.

Three men robbed a First Mariner Bank in AAC yesterday morning.

A bucolic organic farm in Worthington Valley was the setting for a Lyme-infected love quadrangle cumulating in cuckold farmer James Dasher firing rounds at a randy farmhand ... or was simply a case of a generous herdsman tripping over a shotgun?

Sean Joseph O'Brien, a Carroll County inmate who escaped from rehab at Gaudenzia last month, was arrested after robbing two people with a BB gun.

If only all of our criminals would speed away to PGC.

February 27 evening

Rasul Malik Brown was arrested for the January 8 murder of 16-year-old Marcus McDowell [9], and Gregory Johnson Jr., 21, is being held for killing Vernon L. Carter in 2005.

At about 11 this morning, following four days of testimony and more than four of deliberations, a Baltimore City jury convicted Derrick Taylor, 27, of the Remington halfway-house triple murders; on January 10, 2005 Taylor shot and killed Nathan Gulliver, 49, Antwon Arthur, 38, and Steven Matthews, 36 in 540 block of West 27th Street and was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder committed during the commission of a felony. Taylor faces a maximum possible prison term of life without the possibility of parole (in the County Taylor would be eligible for the death penalty) and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Roger W. Brown on April 10. The jury also convicted Taylor of several handgun counts but failed to reach verdicts on first-degree murder (premeditated) and several second degree murder counts and assault counts, upom which Judge Brown declared a "mistrial." Taylor remains held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. A second defendant in this case, Corey McMillon, is serving a prison term of life plus 20 years for a previous murder conviction and faces an April trial date for his alleged involvement.

WBAL: "Landlord Continued To Rent Deplorable Properties" (Oh, THAT guy!)

Wonder when someone was last killed with an assault weapon?

Who returned the skull of the Fredneck sheep? (JZ: "It's" leg had also been removed.)

February 27

A shooting victim was found by police last night on W. Lanvale St., and died after being taken to Shock Trauma [45].

Brian Jones' family has forgiven convicted killer Alvin Williams.

A private eye is questioning the FBI's conclusions in the death of investigator Jonathan Luna.

A former South Baltimore resident and her teenage daughter were killed in a double homicide / suicide in Upstate New York.

Last week they said Edgewood doesn't need the Guardian Angels, but today they're saying they do.

Sheila D. fought the smokers and Sheila D. won. One can only hope she'll fight the murderers, next.

February 26

Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Alvin Augustus Williams, 26, of the 6000 block of Marquette Road, Baltimore County, to 60 years in prison. Judge Glynn sentenced Williams to 30 years for the murder, 25 years for the assault and 5 years for the firearm count and ordered that the sentences run consecutively. This is the maximum penalty Williams faced under law. Assistant State's Attorney Sam Yee prosecuted, and Baltimore City jury convicted on January 12 for second-degree murder, first-degree assault and possession of a firearm. On November 12, 2005 Williams shot and killed Brian Jones, 34, of Millersville, MD in the 1100 block of South Ellwood Street. Jones was leaving a Canton nightspot with a friend when Williams approached them with a rifle and opened fire.

Ever wonder how "TheSunLies.com" managed to maintain such a shrill level of prolific vitriol for so long?
Notice how the site, archive and all, utterly vanished right after the Ehrlich defeat?
That's right, kids ... if you suspected that and "SoccerDad" were Republican inventions, you get a Gold Star (on a red Flag)!

Kane: Beef Begets Beef, so let's make hamburger.

HoCo: Kevin Francis Klink, 18, was arrested after the fatal baseball-bat-beating of Robert Brazell at Mt. Hebron High School early Sunday morning. He was HoCo's first murder of 2007.

AAC: A dead UnID'd 50-something white man was found dead in a streambed on Max Blobs Park Road.

Guvmint

Wow, here's some drama!
The City Council is going to vote tonight to decide if smoking should be banned in bars.
No one can predict how the vote will go... the tiebreaker may be cast by retired educator Sharon Green Middleton, who will be sworn in this afternoon, hours before the vote!

The Senate is expected to vote on a bill that would allow prosecutors to introduce evidence of past sex acts with children at trials of child sex offenders. A judge would have to hold a hearing to determine if the evidence could be admitted.

The General Assembly could pass a bill that would "legislate sex offenders out of Ocean City."

Ugh, that creepy Don Dwyer is still around.

February 25

Erick Wotulo pled guilty in Federal court Friday to conspiring to launder money and procure arms for the terrorist Tamil Tigers.

Baltimore police helped out the Mt. Vernon, NY PD, nabbing attempted murderer Jamar Richardson at the Roadway Inn on O'Donnell Street in Canton on Valentine's Day.

CP gets sleazy superiors of Maryland National Guard "Recruiter of the Year" Richard F. Thomas Probed, Stripped and Punished!

February 24

Murder suspect Roger Lee Burks, 17, was arrested after DNA evidence connected him to the 2006 cookout stabbing of Irvin Conley, 24.

Blotter:
A 15-year-old was arrested for attempted murder, and a "42-year-old man was shoveling snow in front of a house in the 2500 block of E. Oliver St. about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when he was shot in the lower back by a man he had argued with the day before."
Also, stolen Ann Taylor sweaters, computer equipment, a 14-year-old Mercury Marquis, etc.

A 12-year-old girl was mowed down by a police cruiser in 500 block of N. Gilmore Street.

So. Rude. PGC's Senator Nathaniel Exum wants random drug testing of students in schools.

PGC's Keith Washington, who shot furniture deliverymen Robert White and Brandon Clark as they were attempting to deliver bed rails: "I can't say I know exactly how a victim of a sexual assault feels, but I think it's something like this."
Meanwhile, Robert White's statement tells a very different story.

Boner-impaired submissive PSC member Charles Boutin has resigned.

No jail time for Fredneck boozehound James W. Loveless Jr, who killed Chris Coffelt, 44, and his son Matthew in a drunk-driving "accident."

February 23

Police have arrested four members of the Bloods, one aged 14, for the murder of Marquel Smith in Essex.
(As long as they spell your name right dept: "'People are just recognizing now that in Maryland we do have a gang problem,' said Maryland Attorney General Doug Gantzler." --JZ)

Alvin Augustus Williams, 26, is due to be sentenced tomorrow by Judge John Glynn. Williams was convicted january 12 of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and possession of a firearm. On November 12, 2005 Williams shot and killed Brian Jones, 34, of Millersville, MD in the 1100 block of South Ellwood Street. Jones was leaving a Canton nightspot with a friend when Williams approached them with a rifle and opened fire. The jury deliberated approximately five hours after hearing three days of testimony. Williams faces a maximum possible prison term of 60 years.

Charles Pace and Brian Lessane were identified as two of Monday's murder victims.

It took nearly a year, but Gregory Rollins' murder finally got some meaningful press.

Destiny D'Urso was charged with the September murder of her 2-year-old son, and a warrant was issued for Paul Anthony Highfield III in the same killing.

Four people were charged with first-degree murder in the death of Essex resident Marquel Smith. Two of the defendants are Bloods, and another is a 14-year-old named James Smoot who will be charged as an adult. No word if this James Smoot is related to either Raymond Smoot, the man who was killed in Central Booking and Intake two years ago, or Raymond's brother James.

After releasing the owner of the liquor store he was robbing, James Douglas set the store on fire but didn't try to escape.

A Towson murder case from 16 years ago was closed after investigators learned that the primary suspect killed himself in 2004.

Stealing a car with a 5-year-old child inside probably isn't the best way to avoid getting deployed.

Sheila D. fired the head of the BFD's training academy after the death of Racheal M. Wilson.

Harford County sheriff Jesse Bane has apparently done such a good job that Edgewood doesn't want the Guardian Angels anymore. Meanwhile, Bane is looking at implementing NYC's CompStat to help fight crime. (Interestingly, the article mentions neither CitiStat nor O'Malley's newly proposed StateStat.)

Police are looking for the three adults who attacked a boy at a PG County middle school.

Both of HoCo resident Robert Bell's sons are doing time.

It doesn't seem like it takes a genius to figure this out: if you have 96 pounds of wacky tabaccy in the trunk, you shouldn't drive like a jackass.

Landlords in the city are living well while their tenants live in deplorable conditions.

Uh, really... all I wanted was a tan.

There are allegations of police brutality in Talbot County.

How charming that one person -- in this case, bank robber Craig J. Mills -- can have a significant impact on HoCo's crime stats.

Since there's obviously nothing else to be outraged about in the city, how about a little bureaucratic incompetence to get things fired up?

A Hagtown jury convicted Jimmie Lee Johnson, 36, of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, two gun crimes and possession of marijuana following an I-70 road rage incident.

In Suitland, PGC, 17-year-old Timothy Van Buren died playing Russian Roulette February 16.

February 22 afternoon

At a hearing yesterday, Demetri Greer, 18, of the 2800 block of East Monument Street, pled guilty to second degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Martin P. Welch sentenced Greer to 30 years in prison, all but 15 years suspend for the murder count, and 20 years in prison, consecutive, for the handgun count. The story:

On July 17, 2006 in the 2700 block of East Monument Street the victim, Dion Williams, 15, was involved in an argument with an unknown person. Greer approached and began to argue with the Williams as well. During the course of the argument Greer withdrew a firearm and shot Williams three times. Investigation led to witnesses identifying Greer and he confessed to the shooting.

Wanye Hill, alleged leader of the "Black Ninjas, " was arrested last week. The gang was allegdly involved with burglaries in the Homeland area. Hill was charged with assaulting a police officer.

DeJuan Hunter, 36, forgot he had a loaded gun in his carry-on last year, causing quite the ruckus at BWI. He served 30 days while his case was pending, and was sentenced yesterday to probation and community service.

Anyone you know on the list of tippling drivers busted in AACounty?

A catalytic converter, credit cards, a DVD player, a VCR, prescription medication, a GPS system, three computer monitors, a digital camera and a PlayStation 2, laptop computers and a hanicapped tag = a smattering of stuff stolen in the Northern lately.

Baltimore County police are looking for three burglars who stole from Patrick's restaurant in Cockeysville (home of the best crab imperial ever).

County police are investigating the alleged rape of a woman in her Arbutus apartment.

PGC police are investigating an incident at Stephen Decatur Middle School in which three adults assaulted and injured a 14-year-old boy yesterday.

Maurice Mouzon, 27, of Cherry Hill pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and "possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense." Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mouzon will receive a sentence of 20 years and 8 months in federal prison when he returns for a court hearing scheduled May 2.

Also in PGC, Robert Lee Humphries III, found guilty of stabbing his estranged wife Linda Humphries to death, has gotten a new trial.

Catch the Cybrarian on the Ed Norris show tomorrow on 105.7 FM from 11:30-12:30 ...

February 22

Darnell Cain [39] was murdered early Monday morning in the 2300 block of E. Fayette St.

Gregory Kane writes about the Remington murders of Antwon Arthur, Steven Matthews, and Nate Gulliver (his cousin), as well as the S.O.D.D.I. defense.

Sheila D. is coming down hard on the fire department for the training exercise that killed firefighter apprentice Racheal Wilson.

Human trafficking is alive and well in Maryland.

Perv du jour: A white man with crew-cut blonde hair is attempting to abduct children in Annapolis.

Perv du jour, part II: 51-year-old David Shultz was sentenced to two years for repeatedly molesting a girl and giving sex toys to her friends. Sadly, prosecutors chose to drop rape and assault charges, and most of his 45-year sentence was suspended.

Terrance Washington, the prisoner who escaped from Harford County while being transferred to the hospital, might be in Illinois.

Ironically, Loren Love was charged with being the "kissing robber."

There were two separate traffic accidents involving police cars yesterday.

Ray Franklin is going after dirty cops.

Stun guns for HoCo popo?

Life imitates art dept: Someone broke into The Wire's soundstage in Columbia.

February 21

Andre S. Jones was shot to death at Jusgos deli on the West side, and an unid'd man was found dead in the 1500 block of N. Bradford St.
Gus says they're 40 and 41, so who was 39?

Evil Carolyn Redd, 41, and Lawrence Gee, 33, were arrested Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Redd's mother, 63-year-old Mary Page. Fox reported that Gee also raped Page.

More on Thomas D. Morten, who stabbed Donald Henderson "through 'every vital organ you can think of '" and "so hard that the tip of the knife broke off in the man's skull."

The Sun reports on the Clay Court apartments, a former open-air drug market where two men were murdered within 24 hours.

Forestville dentist Derek Curtis, 63, was sentenced to more than five years in prison for distributing cocaine and painkillers from his office.

A Cecil County grand jury indicted Loren Jennifer Love, 26, for assaulting a 75-year-old man inside his Conowingo home and giving him a "kiss of death" before stealing his pickup.

James Douglas allegedly tried to rob a Frederick liquor store and instead allegedly burned to death.

An off-duty cop working security at a Wachovia branch in the Northeast shot a wannabe bank robber.

Carroll County won't reduce the bail for Randy Humple, who allegedly shot a 17-year-old girl who was napping then ran away and hid.

WJZ reports that police shot a man in the 2100 block of Broadway in Fells Point, and the man then ran into a McDonalds. Interestingly, that address would place the man, the police, and the McDonalds smack in the middle of the Inner Harbor. Perhaps the editors at WJZ decided that a Fells Point shooting is more interesting than a South Clifton Park / Darley Park / East Baltimore Midway shooting. (Looks like they fixed their mistake. Hooray!)

Three teenagers were hit in a drive-by shooting in Annapolis

A plethora of well-read hoodlums in Harford County.

Rajah the poodle is dead, and his groomer claims, "He bite me. He’s not behaving very well and there’s no excuse for that."

February 20 Evening

At a hearing today, Judge David Mitchell sentenced Iletha Murdaugh, 42, of the 520 block of North Mosher Street, to 20 years in prison for second degree murder and a consecutive 10 years in prison for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. On January 7, 2007 a Baltimore City jury convicted Murdaugh of second degree murder and use of a handgun counts. The dirt:

On March 7, 2006 police responded to 525 N. Mosher Street for a shooting. Upon arrival the officers found Gregory Rollins suffering from a single gun shot wound to the head. The victim later died from his injuries. Further investigation revealed that Rollins' girlfriend, Murdaugh, and Rollins had gotten into a heated argument over an ex-girlfriend. During the argument the defendant grabbed the victim's gun from the nightstand and shot the victim one time in the head.

At a hearing today, Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Thomas D. Morten, Jr., 18, of the 2500 block of West Belvedere Avenue, to 30 years in prison with all but 15 suspended plus five years' probation for the second-degree murder of Donald Henderson. On November 16, 2006, Morten pled guilty to second-degree murder use of a deadly weapon. On February 13, 2006, Morten, who was 17 at the time, stabbed Henderson multiple times in the torso and stomach during the course of an argument. Henderson died soonafter in an apartment building in the 3000 block of Thorndale Avenue.

Gross! Rookie AAC officer Joseph F. Mosmiller is accused of groping a woman's breast during a traffic stop ... and taking a cellphone picture of his hand on said boob.

February 20

An unidentified man [38] was shot to death on the same block as David Frasier [35].

County police: three fatal shootings so far this year were all, like, totally justified.

U of M student Nicole Shiffman was murdered in Arizona.

Robert "Sam" Slater, 21, a sociology major at Trinity College, Connecticut, was stabbed in the cheek at a frat party.

Bleeding internally and short a kidney, A. Robert Kaufman still refuses to kiss up to the fat cats.

Mary Lou Shifflet, 46, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Pasadena on Friday night. The fleeing jackass was ID'd as one Jose Santos Toledo.

Pervertito del giorno: Registered offender Robert Paul Layton, 48, at left, who allegedly sexually abused a 13-year-old boy at his home and solicited a 14-year-old boy, luring them with booze, weed and a pool table. Police also found nude pictures of boys, and are asking other victims and witnesses to come forward.

Feel bad for li'l bastard Dannilynn Hogan-Stern-Smith?
Stephanie Coontz explains why you shouldn't.

February 19

David Frasier, 26, was shot to death in East Baltimore [35]. George Baskerville, 28, was shot to death in the Northwest [36].

Youngsters found a burnt body in a field in South Baltimore [37?].

Blotter lowlights: A 29-year-old man survived being shot in the head on S. Payson St.; a man was hit over the head with a shovel in a fight about a phone bill; a 44-year-old man was stabbed outside of a bar in the Southeastern.

Doug Gansler wants to create a new unit to investigate cold cases from the Civil Rights era.

County police shot a man after a standoff yesterday. (Again?)

If you missed "Five Things I Have To Have Now" with Stephanie Galling-Flake ... consider yourself lucky. (Is she paid to endorse those products?)

February 16

Eugene Parker, 31, was arrested for the murder of Harold Robinson, a security guard at Club International.

District Judge Blake ordered Jermarl A. Jones held in custody, instead of allowing him to be released to a halfway house (customary soon after a heroin-dealing arrest, I gather)

Pedophile of the day: Kirsten Ann Kinley of HoCo, left, who had sex with a 15-year-old and sent him "inappropriate" photos and text messages.
Runner up: Mark Bartles, who used peer-to-peer networking software to download and share images of child pornography with his peers. The FBI found him by his ISP.

Nathan R. Chapman, sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for defrauding the Maryland pension system of millions of dollars and stealing from his public companies, had his jail time reduced by a third by a federal judge Friday. Booo.

A couple of cocaine-filled guitars were found at BWI.
"Drugs and rock ’n’ roll have always gone together — but not quite like this." HAW!!

From last week's NYT: "The Needle and the Damage Done," about how grody lethal injection can be, and American discomfort with the Death Penalty. ("the twitching, the moaning, we can't even tolerate that.")

February 15

Sheila D. is looking at merging the school police with the city police. (WBAL has some oddly capitalized "man on the street" interviews with local denizens.)
Olesker: Hop off the trash truck and get in a police car already!

Remember the tragic Remington halfway-house triple murder of Nathan Gulliver, Antwon Arthur, and Steven Matthews? Prosecutors say it was all over a $125 debt.

Two people pled guilty to a gun battle that ended at a Dundalk supermarket.

AAC police are looking for 17-year-old "Zel" Tuell for the murder of Terrance A. Powell. Powell's 15-year-old brother was also a murder victim in Annapolis six years ago.

Dr. Nelson H. Hendler of the Mensana clinic pleaded guilty to a drug distribution charge in the County and got 150 hours of community service and 18 months of supervised probation.

Pervertito del giorno: HoCo officials finally tracked down Gilbert Blackman in Arizona. Blackman, a convicted child abuser, disappeared 10 years ago after violating probation.

A teddy bear vendor was beaten and robbed in the Southern.

Our city's fine bail bondsmen can get your loved ones out of the slammer for as low as $500.

Politics Corner
Annapolis Alderwoman Julie Stankivic is "living in a community that has been besieged." She is, of course, referring to cab drivers who honk their horns.

It looks as if Olesker shamed O'Malley's brother into taking down the sign, and shoveling the walk.

Ten candidates shall now commence clawing their way into Stephanie R Blake's District 6 City Council seat. Also leaving: Paula Johnson Branch of the 13th (and Keiffer Mitchell of the 11th).

February 14

In fiscal 2006, the department spent $29 million on overtime.
The department remains short about 160 officers -- or an average of nearly 18 officers per district.
... I declare, someone really needs to mail 160 bags of dog doo to HQ every day. Or dead rats. Or perhaps a melange of surprises!

Justin Fenton: "In his first court appearance, Charles Eugene Burns, the 35-year-old Harford County man charged with killing one of four women whose bodies were found in remote areas, lashed out yesterday at a judge and his attorneys, saying he has been 'kept in the dark' about his trial."

The CSA remanded the case of Maouloud Baby vs. MD back to the circuit court for another trial on account of the confusing instructions given to the jury after they asked, "If a female consents to sex initially and, during the course of the sex act to which she consented, for whatever reason, she changes her mind and the ... man continues until climax, does the result constitute rape?" (Very long story short: the answer is "no.")

Perv du jour: A guy in a white van driving around Annapolis trying to abduct children.

Runner up: Peter Urbanowicz, charged with four counts related to the improper touching of his four-year-old step-granddaughter.

Morgan State men's basketball coach Todd Bozeman surrendered to authorities in Farmville, VA yesterday afternoon. The MSU basketball coach was wanted for "Class 1 assault and battery and Class 3 curse and abuse."

Former O'Malley supporter: please take your giant gdd'd sign back, Gov!

February 13

Alusine Kamara, 26, was fatally shot early Sunday [33]. His brother, Ansumana, 24, and one Mustapha Aruna, 26, were wounded in the incident in an alley in the 1800 block of W. Baltimore St.
Ansumana the younger is in critical condition at Shock Trauma.
"Police said Aruna was shot in a leg, but keys in his pants pocket took the brunt of the bullet."
The older Kamara brother Alusine was a musician who'd studied production at London CM.

Also, Conswelo Walker, 28, of the 2600 block of E. "Northwern" Parkway, was arrested for attempted murder.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Ricardo Watson, 35, of the 1000 block of East Hoffman Street, of first degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence today. First degree murder carries a maximum prison term of life. The handgun count carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. Judge M. Brooke Murdock scheduled sentencing for April 17, 2007. Say court docs, "On March 25, 2006 Watson and the victim, Darren Green, 21, were attending a party at a house in the 1200 block of Maple Leaf Court [in the Oldtown neighborhood]. Watson shot Green eight times at point blank range in the torso."

Late yesterday a Baltimore City jury convicted Davon Jones, 19, of the 2400 block of Keyworth Avenue, of attempted first degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and conspiracy to use a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The jury convicted Derrick Gardner, 20, of the 4500 block of Gardner Road of attempted second degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and conspiracy to use a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Jurors heard three days of testimony and deliberated approximately two-and-a-half hours before reaching a verdict. Attempted first degree murder carries a maximum prison term of life. Attempted second degree murder carries a maximum prison term of 30 years. The handgun counts carry maximum prison terms of 20 years. Judge David Mitchell scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2007. Details:

On January 10, 2006, the victim, Jerome Smith, was walking in the 2500 block of Druid Park Drive when he was confronted by Gardner who asked Smith about $70 he owed their drug boss. Jones joined Gardner. Smith did not have the money and turned to flee. Gardner pulled out a silver revolver and shot Smith in the back. Smith stumbled across the street and fell down in the woods. Jones and Gardner followed and Jones took the handgun from Gardner and shot Smith himself. Lying prone, Smith held his arms up to defend himself and was hit on the inside of his upper forearm. Police responded minutes after the shooting and Smith was transported to Sinai Hospital were he was treated and released the next day. Smith was subsequently found guilty of violating his probation for drug distribution and is currently serving a two year sentence.

Harold Robinson [34] was the man who was killed at Club International on Sunday. Robinson was working security when two men who had been thrown out for peeing on the floor returned with a gun and opened fire on the security guards.

Police serving a warrant to a murder suspect in a home on Eastern Ave. in Dundalk shot and killed the suspect's father as he reached for a gun.

Whoa-Co Judge Neil E. Axel gave two days of jail time to Timothy Cerny, 47, caught on tape spitting on a neighbor during an arguement about the placement of grass-clipping bags during the course of an eight-year family feud.
Hope they put him next to Jack Carl "Bacon Grease and Antifreeze" Schroeder!

Aberdeen is following in O'Malley's footsteps and implementing a scaled-down version of CitiStat, complete with three crime cameras. Meanwhile, Marty O' is developing StateStat, "a shining example of government efficiency realized."

St. Mary's Hopsital: Whoops, we "lost" some patient data too!
(Don't they sell it all to Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble and Enfamil et al. anyway?)

News We Can Use (but will more likely ignore) Dept:
a nonprofit is going to conduct an in-depth study (at cost, we presume) to create a "baseline of economic indicators" for the city.

February 12

A Baltimore City jury convicted Paul Spriggs, 23 of attempted second degree murder, first degree assault and handgun counts on Friday. Attempted second-degree murder carries a maximum prison term of 30 years. Judge Alfred Nance scheduled sentencing for February 16. The report:

In the early morning hours of March 25, 2006 Spriggs arrived in the 1000 block of Cameron Avenue in a vehicle. Upon arrival, he exited and approached the victim, asking "where’s the green?" The victim started running and Spriggs fired at least nine shots – striking the victim four times. Spriggs then ran back to his car and fled the scene. An officer in the area heard the shots and was able to pull the vehicle over in the immediate area. A .38 caliber handgun was recovered from Spriggs' person. Assistant State's Attorney David M. Grzechowiak [Grr Shizh O wee ack?] of the Firearms Investigation Violence Enforcement (FIVE) Division prosecuted this case.

Four victims were shot, chased by police from Club International on West Baltimore Street. One may be dead [34?]

Murder 32 was ID'd as Dwight Evans, 32, and an unidentified man [33] was killed in the 1800 block of W. Baltimore St. early Sunday morning. (That's six blocks and 20 hours from the quadruple shooting at Club International.)

County police shot and killed an armed man while attempting to serve a warrant to the suspected murderer of Joseph Francis Hoffman, 51, found dead on Woodwell Road in Dundalk last Saturday (Feb 10).

Domestic disturbances:
E: Mount de Sales and St. Agnes parish "Cathohlics" are rallying around Father Tim.

Perv de hoy: Dean Trout, 52, of Keymar, Carroll County, in the bathtub, 1970-80 (hence, new poll question).

The Box n Save robbers have been apprehended!

Don't Trash It!

ThnxsGd glorious BOTTLE and CAN day has arrived! (Don't stop Believe-ing, Hold on to that Feeling!)

Bag up your rinsed salsa jars, Bud Lite bottles, Bud Lite cans, Spaghettio cans, plastic kitty litter & laundry jugs and all your empty cans of anti-stink-spray.

NOT allowed: recycling bags full of dirty kitty litter, dead vermin and/or dog poo!

thanks,
The Lēad VJJ