February 5

An unidentified man was found at about 9 a.m. Saturday morning, lying on his back shot to death in the 1600 block of W. Lafayette Avenue.

An 18-year-old was shot in the upper body after getting off of a (what else?) MTA bus in Windsor Mill.

WTF?! "Steven Vernarelli claims he was walking to Johns Hopkins Hospital in October, when he was stopped for no reason and sodomized with his own paper money by a Baltimore City police officer."

El Jizz: "Undercover Maryland Troopers Pose As Hitmen & Prevent Hundreds Of Murders!"

Judge Kaye Allison sentenced Davon Pearson, 20, of the 800 block of Vine Street today to life in prison for conspiracy to commit murder, 30 years in prison, concurrent, for second-degree murder and 20 years, consecutive, for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. A Baltimore City jury convicted Pearson December 10, 2007. Details:

Late in the evening on August 2, 2006 Pearson met up with an associate only identified as “Bobby” in the area of the 400 block of East Lynn Avenue. Witnesses testified that “Bobby” asked Pearson to “take care of a problem for him” in exchange for an ounce of cocaine. Just past midnight, “Bobby” provided Pearson with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Pearson then followed the Victim, Howard Jones, onto the 2600 block and shot him in the back of the head. Mr. Jones died on the street. Multiple eye-witnesses identified him as Mr. Jones’ killer.

At the trial, Pearson, his fiancé and mother testified that he had been at a neighborhood candlelight vigil protesting violence among young men and then later at his fiancé’s house in Baltimore County at the time of the murder. The jury rejected Pearson’s alibi. Assistant State’s Attorney E. Wesley Adams of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Prosecutors in Carroll County are appealing the dismissal of charges against the Bowling Brook counselors who were charged with reckless endangerment in last year's death of Isaiah Simmons.

Bowzer from Sha Na Na wants to ban imposter bands.

The GM of WYPR went on-air this morning to explain the station's recent deSteinering. Meanwhile, listeners are puh-issed.
("I've got WAMU on, right now. It's FREAKING RINGING THROUGH MY WHOLE HOUSE. THE WINDOWS ARE RATTLING. I CAN'T MAKE IT FREAKING LOUD ENOUGH. Hello, Kojo!")

February 4

More on the murder of the Browning family, and the vigil that was held for them last night.

Someone might have thrown a child off of the Key Bridge. Or they might not have. Nobody really knows yet.

Two people were murdered at a Uno Chicago Grill in Largo right around the time the Giants scored their first touchdown.

A pizza-delivery man was beaten in Edgewood on Saturday night and is in serious condition at Shock Trauma.

The man charged with killing Finksburg video store manager Gary Hatfield was described as depressive, reclusive, weird, and bad at tying his shoes.

In the Blotter: A shooting near The Block, a lack of information about the man killed on Federal St., some former-employee aggression, and a wheelchair joyride in the halls of Perry Hall Middle School.

February 3

The four bodies found in Cockeysville appear to be Towson real estate and corporate lawyer John Browning, his wife Tamara, and two of the couple's three sons. The third son, Nicholas Waggoner Browning, right, "found" the bodies when he arrived home at 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, and has been charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree murder.

The city's first murder of February occurred in the 1600 block of E. Federal St. yesterday morning at 10 a.m.

Police are looking for Ellis D. Johnson. Johnson and three minors (who are in custody) allegedly beat a cop who tried to bust up a deal at an apartment in the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Ave. on January 14. Officer William Olsen is recovering at home, and will need hip surgery.

"Every one of us knew that Mr. Alder was very likely to physically harm, even murder, any of us and our families at any time." Yep, you sure got that one right.

Michael Ryan Anderson was arrested this morning for the murder of Finksburg video store manager Gary L. Hatfield on January 26.

Chris Perkins -- who resigned as director of Maryland's juvenile detention facilities on December 13 after a City Paper investigation into past accusations of child abuse -- claims he has evidence to prove his innocence but never got the chance to present it in court.

More info on the misuse of bupe.

February 2

Fox reports that a man was shot to death in the 1600 block of Federal Street in East Baltimore this morning, soon after 10 a.m.

Four bodies, two teenage boys and a man and a woman, were found in a house in Cockeysville in the 10000 block of Powers Avenue.

Bealefeld: the officer who fired the shots that killed Edward Lamont Hunt has been suspended with pay.

Convictions, pleas and sentences for perps who distributed steroids, child porn and crack, enslaved a 14-year-old and committed social security fraud are all in a day's work for the U.S. Attorney's office.

Marc Steiner Canned!

It's true! Wow, didn't see that one coming!
("Personnel issues are always very difficult"... sounds like he ticked off the wrong person!)
More from the Sun.

The best January since before crack

Last month was the least homicidal January in Baltimore since 1978.

Now is not the time to sit back and bask in six months' worth of accomplishment," Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said in an interview yesterday. "Now is the time to push harder."

Annals of Law

NYker: Baltimorean Brian Nichols went on a murder spree in Georgia. But three years and $1.2 million+ later, the death-penalty case still hangs in limbo.

Three Life Sentences for Double-Murderer

Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Abdul Kareem Alvez-el, 23, of the 500 block of Richwood Road to three consecutive life sentences, followed by three consecutive 20- year sentences for his November 9, 2007 convictions of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence. This sentence is the maximum sentence allowed by law. Details from the SA's office: (edited)

On February 2, 2006 at 9:45 p.m. Ricky Medley, 19, Martrell Brown, 16, and Quinton White, 17 were at a Sunoco Gas Station in the 500 block of East Cold Spring Lane. While there, Medley and Brown got into a physical altercation with Raynard Bowles. Following the fight, all three got back into a car driven by Ricky Medley and attempted to drive away. Abdul Alvez-el produced a handgun and began firing at the moving vehicle, striking Medley in the torso and Brown in the head. Both victims died of their injuries. The vehicle continued to the 800 block E. Cold Spring Lane where Quinton White was able to reach the steering wheel from the back seat and crashed it into a wall to avoid hitting any other vehicles. Quinton White suffered a broken arm as a result of the accident.

Assistant State’s Attorney David Grzechowiak of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 4

I missed this one yesterday, but Sudhir Venkatesh and his gang of merry pranksters are back for episode four. The thugs pose a question to Freakonomics readers:

“I want them to tell us whether Marlo will kill Omar, or the other way around,” said Orlando, picking at his teeth, like a Southern gentleman on his front porch. “I want to see how smart they are.”

“Yeah,” Flavor pushed on. “And I want them to say exactly how it’s going to go down. Because you know what this whole thing is leading up to … Good versus Evil — if you can tell the difference around here.”

February 1

Darrell Holmes was the boy who was killed on Penrose Ave. on Wednesday, and his 12-year-old cousin has been charged with manslaughter.

Edward Lamont Hunt, killed by a police officer Jan. 24, was unarmed, and a witness says he was shot in the back while he was walking away.

The MTA9 is now the MTA6, and lawyers for the remaining six defendants want to exclude everything but the kitchen sink from the kids' trial.

"To Baltimore City bailiffs, Olufemi Obua is an impatient, rude courthouse visitor who assaulted a security officer after refusing to follow orders. To Obua’s family, he’s the victim of a 'brutal beating' at the hands of courthouse security officers."

Baltimorean Charles Christopher Furth, 46, pleaded guilty today to distributing child pornography by computer.
WTF?!: "Furth stated that he has about 5,000 still images of child pornography and six movies of minors from ages one years old and up."

Yeah. Like that's the only house in Hampden with machine guns and grenades.

Usually check cashing joints steal money from the people, but not this time.

Recovery houses should be safe and secure. Too bad they didn't figure that out before the Remington shootings of 2005.

Tyrone Powers wants us to snitch. Not just on dealers and murderers, but also on politicians, cops, and preachers.

Officials say the Violence Prevention Unit for ex-cons is already working.

Farther Afield
Three people robbed a Cockeysville McDonald's on Tuesday night, and one of them has been arrested.

A HoCo Circuit Court judge rejected a plea deal for Eduardo Raul Morales-Soriano, a drunk driver who was to be sentenced for killing two people.

A security camera in Takoma Park caught an attempted abduction.

Stolen gas and shoes in Hagerstown.

In AAC, Mama chased down a perv.

Victim Impact Statement from Bryant Curtis Jones' widow

Prosecutors read an impact statement on behalf of Bryant Curtis Jones' wife at the hearing for Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake, the two teenagers who killed Jones when he asked them to leave his daughter's sweet-16 party in 2006.

My name is Alisa Deneen Torbit-Jones. I am the widow of the late Bryant Curtis Jones.

While trying to keep the peace and safety of his family, Bryant was fatally shot on April 14th, 2006 at our daughter Tamirra's sixteenth birthday party by Jamal Charles. Jamal Charles was encouraged to shoot my husband by his friend, Dwayne Drake. They both were asked to leave our home because they were being disruptive. Before they left, they insisted on their refund of $1.00 for their entrance into the party for Tamirra. Although their entrance fee was refunded, they still were not satisfied, became extremely combative verbally, and the end result was my husband being shot three times, once in the head. My family and I were with my husband when he died from these gunshot wounds at Shock Trauma.

I am angry, mad, and most of all enraged. I have lost my friend, and it hurts. Some days are better than others, and I am trying to overcome the hate that has consumed me. Bryant and I had a bond that no one could break. We have known each other since we were fifteen years old, and had been married for four years. I never imagined that I would have to see my loved one die so tragically and violently. I feel like I am in a dream, as well as a nightmare. It doesn't feel real, doesn't sound real, but everyday that I don't see him; I know that it is real.

When you killed my husband, you never thought about how I or the children would survive. Bryant was a major contributor and he provided so we wouldn't have to sacrifice. Now that he is gone, it is very hard to make ends meet.

Bryant always liked to help people. He was a family oriented individual, and an excellent electrician. He was a good man, a beloved son, a devoted father to his children, and a trustworthy friend. He has a grand-daughter that will never know his love, see his smile, or hear his voice.

I am not the only one who mourns for Bryant. His senseless murder left six children without a father - Derrick, Tamirra, Kourtney, Bryant, Darryl and Danielle. His grief stricken father Charles, who eight months later would lose his wife Linda, Bryant's mother who said her heart was broken because she had lost her oldest baby. A dedicated brother Charles (when you saw one, you always saw the other). Two sisters Evette and Danyell (Evette passed away 3 months after their mother's death). My husband had one grandmother, loving godparents, many in-laws and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. As long as we live we will never forget Bryant Curtis Jones nor will we ever forget Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake who took him from us so violently and sudden.

We will always love and miss Bryant.

I feel that Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake should be severely punished for taking Bryant's life. They should do the full time given to them. Bryant's life was worth more than a $1.00. Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake should at least serve the age my husband was at the time of his senseless murder. Bryant was 42 years old. Nothing less with possibility of parole.

Conviction for Murder of 16-Year-Old Marcus McDowell

A Baltimore City jury convicted Rasul M. Brown, 23, of the 800 block of Gilrubin Court today of second-degree murder, two counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of wear/carry/transport a handgun and first degree assault. The jury reached its verdict after deliberating for two hours today following four days of testimony. Judge John A. Howard scheduled sentencing for April 3, 2008 at which time Brown could face a maximum possible prison term of 98 years. Details:

On January 8, 2007 at approximately 8:00 p.m. police responded to the 5100 block of Harford Road for a shooting. Upon arrival, police discovered Marcus McDowell, 16, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and upper torso. McDowell is transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, where he is pronounced dead. Witnesses testified at trial that Brown shot McDowell after McDowell rushed to the scene to help a friend who was involved in an altercation with Brown.

Brown is being held at the Detention Center without bail.

Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Phelps of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Quote of the Day

Broadwater: "A dozen protestors marched Wednesday outside the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, demanding prosecutors drop all charges against the so-called 'MTA 9'"
Said Quentin Whaley Sr., 54, the father of one of the accused teens, "If someone spit in your face, what would you do? This isn’t 1857. This is 2008. We won’t be chattel property.”

Sentences in "Sweet 16" Murder

At a hearing today, Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Jamal Charles, 17, of the 4000 block of Edmonston Ave. to 50 years in prison, 30 years for second-degree murder and a consecutive 20 years for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Bernstein also sentenced Dwayne Drake, 19, of the 3400 block of Dolefield Ave. to 40 years in prison, 30 years for second degree murder, a consecutive 10 years for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and a concurrent three years for wear/carry/transporting a handgun. Details:

Judge Bernstein called this case “extremely difficult” “tragic” and “senseless” and that his sentence “must express society’s outrage” that a “good man, a family man, a working man” has been taken from society and his family forever, shot in his own home.

Charles received the maximum sentence he faced under law: 50 years. Drake faced a maximum of 53 years in prison.

On April 14, 2006 Bryant Jones, a father of six, was shot and killed at his daughter’s sweet 16 birthday party. Several witnesses testified Drake and Charles were acting up and arguing at the party and that they both smelled of alcohol. Mr. Jones asked them repeatedly to leave stating that they were disrespecting his wife, his daughter and his house. The defendants left the house but turned and came right back demanding the dollar back that they had paid to get into the party. As they argued with Mr. Jones, Dwayne Drake said to Jamal Charles, “Show him how we take care of business in the hood.” Drake handed Charles an object. At which point Charles fired several shots at Mr. Jones, striking him in the arm, chest, and head.

Assistant State’s Attorney Rita Wisthoff-Ito of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

January 31

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in the face yesterday afternoon in a rowhouse near Bentalou Elementary.

Jose Bassat was found guilty of murdering Mister George.

Kevin Klink pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and faces 13 years for killing Robert Brazell Jr. during a fight at Mt. Hebron High School in Ellicott City last year.

If I'm reading this story correctly, then Demarco Edward Brown is being charged with attempted murder for encouraging someone else to shoot a bicyclist in the legs. The "someone else" has not been ID'd.

In the Blotter: a home invasion, a McDonald's robbery, and an assault of a drunk.

A HarCo teenager was suspended and charged after leaving a gun, machete, and pocketknife in his car at school.

Charles Redfearn was charged with first-degree assault after an attack in Arbutus on Jan. 25 that involved fists, a knife, and hitting an old man with his own cane.

Delegate Talmadge Branch says we can't be trusted with Tasers.

Evening

Crazy barricade situation this afternoon in the 1700 block of Harlem Park Avenue on the west side. Man shot, tear gas used, schools on lockdown. Police called it a "home-invasion robbery gone very, very bad."

.... and the first police-involved shooting of '08 happened around noon at Northern Parkway and McClean Boulevard, a suspect was killed and no police were injured.

"Goof on the Roof" Ron Stach was ordered at a hearing to pay $750 or remain in jail for a year for failing to pay $43,000 in child support over 18 years. A good deal for Ron, for the kids, not so much.

Shot officer David Hare has organized a rally to support the Baltimore Police Memorial on Friday night starting at 5 p.m. at Max's on Broadway.

January 30

More info and a video on the shooting death of 16-year-old Dundalk resident Joshua Gibson.

Four murders in this week's Ink, including details on the domestic abuse of Lisa Holley.

The family of Antonio Martinez is angry, and the AAC cop who allegedly killed him in a hit-and-run hasn't been charged.

It's been a year since Sintia Mesa's beaten and naked body was found in the trunk of her car, and police are still actively investigating her murder.

Yesterday, there was a memorial service for Cecelia Brown Turner, one of the two people who was murdered in an Annapolis apartment a few weeks ago.

A 66-year-old editorial assistant at the Sun was attacked with a metal pole while he waited for a safe and reliable MTA bus in the 5600 block of The Alameda.

Javaughn Norman Adams, the guy who shot up Westfield Annapolis mall in 2006, got an extra year of jail time for stealing a puppy.

Three people testified against Monti Fleming, who is on trial for killing Shaun Powell in Columbia. Fleming is also charged with attempted murder in an unrelated shooting a week before Powell's death.

Are gangs of territorial Jews running amok in Randallstown?

The HarCo Guardian Angels are scheduled to start their patrols soon.

Night Update

Sun: "A month before Vernice Harris allegedly killed her daughter [Bryanna] by giving her methadone and beating her, the mother asked a Baltimore Department of Social Services caseworker for help but was turned away." Here's an earlier story on the case.

In the county, convicted sex offender Michael B. Martin, 46, was sentenced to 40 years in prison Monday for trying to hire a fellow inmate to kill a developer and to set fire to the house of a woman who had told people at her church about his sex abuse case.
(thanks non)

"Md. lawmakers consider scrap dealer law to address stolen copper"

Benjamin Evans of Annapolis was arrested Monday and charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old friend of his granddaughter.

A Carroll County circuit court judge has dropped all charges against five former Bowling Brook staff members accused of causing the death of student/inmate Isaiah Simmons.

25 Years for Man Who Pushed Woman into Traffic

Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Charles Bostic, 62, of the 1800 block of West Pratt Street to 25 years in prison today. Bostic pled guilty to attempted second-degree murder November 21, 2007. Details:

On March 3, 2007 Bostic and the victim, a 54-year old woman, were walking in the 200 block of North Warwick Avenue when Bostic pushed her into the path of an oncoming vehicle. The driver could not avoid hitting the woman and called police. One eyewitness described Bostic’s actions as throwing the victim like “throwing a bag of trash.” Police apprehended Bostic one block away on Wheeler Avenue.

The woman suffered severe brain trauma, a damaged spinal cord, bruised ribs and a broken arm. She remains in a long-term care facility unable to care for herself. She can not speak, walk or write and is expected to remain in this condition for the rest of her life.

Assistant State's Attorney Kathleen Copsey of the Felony Family Violence Division prosecuted this case.

Eight Years for Nightclub Robber

From the SA's office, edited for style:
At a hearing today Alexander Reiff, 25, of Reston, VA, pled guilty to attempted armed robbery and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Reiff to 20 years in prison, suspend all but eight years, first five years without the possibility of parole. Details:

On April 5, 2007 at 1:45 a.m. at Fantasies Nightclub, Reiff, David Robinson and Gregory Eaton entered the club armed with a 9 mm Ruger handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun, announced a robbery, and ordered approximately 20 patrons and employees to the ground. Eaton then discharged the shotgun into the ceiling. Two off-duty police officers removed their service weapons and shot Reiff and Eaton. Eaton succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to Shock Trauma. Reiff also was shot but survived his injuries as he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Robinson was outside the club in a getaway Ford pick-up truck that they had stolen in Hyattsville earlier that night. Robinson fled the club and the abandoned truck was found near a relative’s house in Glen Burnie. Robinson pleaded guilty November 19, 2007 to attempted armed robbery and is currently serving a 15-year prison term.

Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Martin, of the General Trial Division prosecuted this case.

January 29

An unidentified man was shot and killed near the corner of Church Rd. and Searles Rd. in Dundalk.
UPDATE: He was ID'd as 16-year-old Joshua Gibson.

Gary L. Hatfield was, indeed, murdered while working at a video store in Finksburg.

An off-duty AAC cop is being held for some fatal hit-and-run action.

Thomas Kaiser was indicted on a bunch of perv charges, including sending a victim to Pennsylvania to be molested by alleged perv Bruce Krumrine.

In case you missed it: Brandon Morris got life without parole, and Jeffery Wroten's family isn't happy.

A man and a woman were shot as they were walking into a house in the 3100 block of Chelsea Terr. early this morning.

A 22-year-old man was shot in the 800 block of W. Saratoga St. during a botched robbery on Sunday morning.

Also in the Blotter (above link), some breaking and entering and sleeping and peeing in Pikesville.

Huh. An inquiry found that a government agency screwed up in the case of Bryanna Harris. Imagine that.

And more government incompetence: Public housing is overrun with drug dealers and other criminals.

January 28

The 54-year-old manager of Finksburg's H & D Movie Sales was Carroll County's first murder victim of 2008. The Examiner quoted neighbors who quoted family members who quoted police who said that Gary L. Hatfield was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher during a robbery.

Two victims were ID'd in today's Blotter: Michael Johnson was shot on Friday afternoon at the corner of W. Lafayette Ave. and N. Payson St., and Sidney Millner -- one of the men who was shot at B&W Liquors on N. Stricker St. last Thursday -- died last night at Shock Trauma.

Also in the Blotter, a 16-year-old boy is in critical condition at Hopkins after being shot on Ready Ave. "for no apparent reason."

I missed this one on Saturday: John and Susan Griffin of Rodgers Forge were each indicted on felony child abuse charges.

An off-duty PG cop nailed the suicide half of her murder/suicide plan.

Police are seeking at least two teens for Saturday's attack on an MTA bus that was heading into the city from Towson on York Rd. Fortunately, the MTA spokeperson spared us the "safe and reliable" crap this time.

Skateboarding is not a crime. Videotaping the beatdown of a skateboarder, however, is.

We're all holding our breath for that piece of legislation, Mayor Moyer.

Not to toot Sheila's horn, but it's funny how O'Malley is running his mouth about crime when Bealefeld seems to be the one who's actually making some change. Oh, but wait. I read a little farther. It wasn't O'Malley's fault that he didn't get things done, it was the state's fault. Now I get it.

January 27

A teenager was shot in the stomach last night at Ready and McCabe Avenues in the Woodbourne-McCabe neighborhood (a mere block from Homeland, but worlds away). Reports have it the victim is still alive.

Yet another bus attack, this time right over the city line at York Road and Northern Parkway, and a "19-year-old sustained minor facial injuries."
Earlier this week, Wednesday, "an 18-year-old Carver High School student was standing at a bus stop at North Avenue and Bentalou Street ... when he was struck and kicked by three men in their late teens or early 20s who robbed him of two cell phones."

Meanwhile, two teenagers accused of the beating of Sarah Kreager will no longer face charges.

The Sun's Jeff Barker recounts the tale of Old Town Gators Coach Aaron McCown, who had a secret crime-ridden past.

President Bush is planning to visit East Baltimore this week. You don't need COPS if you got Jeebus!

January 26

A man was fatally shot in the back yesterday afternoon at the corner of Lafayette Ave. and Payson St. in West Baltimore.

Baltimore police officer Jerome K. Hill was "charged yesterday with assault after he allegedly punched an undercover detective who was posing as a man waiting to buy drugs."

A robber left a suspicious package at the Wachovia Bank in the 5300 block of Harford Rd. yesterday afternoon. The bomb squad is investigating.

The trial of Rasul Brown actually started. Brown is accused of murdering 16-year-old Marcus McDowell, a smart kid with no criminal record who was allegedly trying to protect his friends.

Best if you don't (inaudible) holler at Snoop.

A former Parkville Middle School teacher was arrested for trying to get it on with a mother and her two underage daughters.

Indictments in Toddler Deaths

Friday the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Vernice Harris, 30, of the 7200 block of Ashland Avenue for first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. Court documents allege Vernice Harris is responsible for the death of her two-year-old daughter, Bryanna Ashley Harris, on June 5, 2007 in the 1700 block of E. 25th Street. Harris allegedly went to check on Bryanna in a second floor bedroom and observed her not breathing. An investigation revealed a combination of blunt-force trauma to the abdomen and a substantial amount of methadone in the child’s system contributed to the death of the child. An arraignment is scheduled for February 19, 2008 before Judge John P. Miller, 428 Mitchell Courthouse.

On January 16, 2008 the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Donte Spencer, 22, of the 3300 block of Burleigh Avenue on charges of leaving the scene of an automobile accident involving serious injury or death. The indictment alleges on May 20, 2006 Spencer was driving a vehicle in the 2300 block of Lauretta Avenue when he struck and killed Taemier Forrester, 2. Spencer will be arraigned at a later date. Police arrested Spencer earlier this week and he was released on $25,000 bail. Spencer faces a maximum prison term of 10 years.

Teenager Shot

The Jizz reports that a "male victime" was shot in the torso in the 3500 block of Spaulding Avenue; police are looking for three suspects.
(thanks Careful)

Ten-Year Sentence for Heroin Gel Caps

A Baltimore City jury has convicted Shannon Clifton Flint, 42, of the 1500 block of Montpelier St. of distribution of heroin, possessing heroin with intent to distribute and possessing heroin following a two-day trial. Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Flint to 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

On December 4, 2006, at approximately 12:00 p.m. at the corner of Aisquith and Hoffman Streets, officers observed an exchange of US currency for small objects. Believing an illegal narcotics sale had just taken place, officers pulled over in an attempt to stop the individuals. The individuals began to walk away upon seeing the patrol car. Police observed Flint throwing to the ground a small black mesh bag. Recovered from the bag were 18 gel caps of heroin.

At the time of this incident Shannon Flint was on parole for a 1999 manslaughter conviction.

Assistant State’s Attorney Rita Wisthoff-Ito of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 3

Sudhir Venkatesh and his thug pals are back for episode 3 of The Wire. And not to do a shameless plug or anything, but Venkatesh's book Gang Leader for a Day is fascinating.

Also, actress/murderer Felicia "Snoop" Pearson will reportedly be called as a witness to a stabbing on the block.

January 25

An unidentified man was fatally shot in the head just after midnight in the 900 block of Pennsylvania Ave.

Two men were leaving a liquor store on N. Stricker St. yesterday evening when a man walked into the store and shot them both. Neither has died, though one of them came mighty close.

Let's see if I've got this straight. Dad goes into the McDonald's at Northwood Plaza, and someone jumps into his van and drives away with all the kids inside. How many stupid people were involved in this scenario?

Leon Frederick Richards Jr. apparently has some pervy friends.

The Examiner's lead about last week's attempted prison break in Jessup speaks volumes: "A hole dug with crude tools. Bedsheets tied into a 200-foot rope. A prisoner wrapped in duct tape."

So if you didn't mean to kill him, jackass, what exactly was your goal? A soothing massage?

Hooray for witnesses!!!

Today's Blotter gives us a beating (at a safe and reliable bus stop), a stabbing, and some stolen sauce.

$150,000 worth of shoes were stolen from a Red Wing truck.

Treatment Funding Down, OD's Up

The Sun's Stephanie Desmond summarizes drug-overdose death stats from UMBC:

"deaths due to drug or alcohol intoxication increased 14 percent in 2006, compared with those in the previous year. Most of the increase was in deaths associated with multi-drug combinations. Cocaine-associated deaths in conjunction with opioids increased more than 100 percent from 2005 to 2006 and fentanyl-associated deaths increased by 200 percent ... heroin deaths have dropped sharply since the late 1990s, but still make up more than three-quarters of the drug deaths in the city. In the meantime, methadone deaths have more than tripled since the late 1990s. There were 283 heroin deaths in the city in 1999, as compared with 150 in 2006. During the same period, methadone deaths jumped from 16 to 61."

The Health Department says that 2005 had the fewest OD's in a decade. Between 1996 and 2005, drug-treatment funding tripled, thanks largely to George Soros' Open Society Institute. But after 2005, funding began to decline, apparently: while the CP reported that there were 8,295 treatment slots in '05, there are 7,250 today. Most drug-treatment money does not come from the city but from the state and non-profit donations.

Medical Students Assaulted

The University of MD at Baltimore reports two incidents of juveniles punching medical students in the face for no apparent reason.
(Thanks Lucid)

January 24

It started with an egg, and ended with the murder of 73-year-old Korean War vet and retired Bethlehem Steel worker George Linwood King.

In the Blotter: a shooting, another shooting, an armed robbery, another armed robbery, a maybe armed robbery, a failed armed robbery, a jackass husband, and a dozen people who really wanted to brush their teeth.

A transgendered woman talks to JZ'a Adam May about being attacked outside of Old Town Mall.

Dr. Lorraine Fertsch is still missing, and she might be suicidal.

The murder trial of Rasul M. Brown was scheduled to start today. Brown is charged with killing 16-year-old Marcus McDowell last January.
UPDATE: Jury selection is going on right now (4:30 p.m.)

A registered sex offender in HarCo was indicted on 23 counts of being a perv.

Some local Jews are facing up to the fact that there are, indeed, pervs in every walk of life.

Residents of Bay Ridge Gardens in Annapolis are "petrified" and "staying in their house" after the double murder of Cecelia Brown and Charles Cully Jr. Police have no motive and no suspects. Brown was disabled and in a wheelchair, and she was "such a nice person."

Beatdown on E. Pratt St.

There were at least three people beating someone on E. Pratt St. near O'Brycki's Wednesday afternoon around 5:00. There's nothing reported in the news yet, so if anybody has any details, please leave them in the comments.

Life Plus 55 Years for Armed Carjacker

A Baltimore City jury returned guilty verdicts late Friday, January 18, 2007 and convicted Adrian Outten, 21, of the 5100 block of Sekots Road of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, armed carjacking, robbery deadly weapon, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, and possession of handgun counts. The two-day trial began January 16, 2008. Details:

Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Outten to a total of life in prison plus 55 years: life for the attempted murder and consecutive terms of 20 years for the handgun crime of violence count, 30 years for the armed carjacking count and five years for the handgun possession count.

On June 4, 2006 at approximately 5:30 p.m. police responded to Sekots and Pickwick Roads for a shooting. Upon arrival police found a male victim suffering non-life-threatening injuries to both legs. The victim was working as an unlicensed taxi driver when he picked up Outten on Park Heights Avenue and drove him to the 5100 block of Sekots where Outten left the car and stated he would be right back. Outten returned armed with a gun and ordered the victim out of the car, telling him to run. Outten then shot him in the lower legs and Outten fled in the victim’s car.

On June 12, 2006 the car was located and towed to police headquarters and processed for fingerprints. On June 20, 2006 a fingerprint “hit” was found from the car’s rearview mirror and matched to Adrian Outten. The victim is shown a photo array and identifies Outten as the person who carjacked and tried to murder him.

Assistant State's Attorney and Cross-designated United State’s Attorney Traci Robinson of the Firearms Investigation Violence Enforcement (FIVE) Division prosecuted this case.

Eight Years for Murderer of Lennard Benjamin

At a hearing today, Lonnie Edwards, 23, of the 100 block of Haven Street, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Edwards to 30 years in prison suspend all but eight years for the murder, a consecutive eight years in prison for the drug count and three years' probation.

On June 21, 2005 Edwards was found standing over Lennard Benjamin, 23, in their cell at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Benjamin was unconscious lying face down on the floor and had sustained severe head trauma. Benjamin was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital were he died two days later.

Assistant State’s Attorney Douglas D. Guidorizzi of the Homicide Division will prosecute this case.

Guilty Verdicts for Perp Who Mowed Down Officer

From the SA's office, edited for style and clarity:

A Baltimore City jury returned guilty verdicts late Friday, January 18, 2007 and convicted Justin Fauntleroy*, 22, of the 2900 block of Kaycee Lane of first-degree assault, distribution of cocaine and a handgun violation. The two day trial began January 16, 2008. Judge John A. Howard scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2008. Details:

On December 8, 2006 between 10:45 p.m. and midnight in the 500 block of Orchard Street, police observed Fauntleroy and other co-defendants engaging in suspected narcotics transactions and called for an arrest team. While waiting for the arrest team, police observed Fauntleroy continue to engage in a suspected narcotics transaction. Fauntleroy and the other co-defendants left the block in a vehicle heading north toward Druid Hill Ave. Police pursued the vehicle and stopped it at Martin Luther King Blvd. and Fayette St., identifying themselves as officers. The driver was removed from the vehicle and arrested, but Fauntleroy, while in the passenger seat, shifted the vehicle into drive and drove straight into Sgt. Steven Ward, throwing him up onto the hood, and then clear from the vehicle.

Sgt. Ward was taken to Shock Trauma with injuries to his arms and neck and was released later that evening. The vehicle drove down MLK and onto 295/ Russell St. while being pursued by police. The vehicle eventually got caught in traffic and Fauntleroy and a co-def surrendered. Police recovered a .38 caliber handgun.

Co-defendants Troy Walker and James Bruce pleaded guilty in July 2007 to CDS possession and handgun counts. Assistant State's Attorney Staci Pipkin of the Narcotics Division prosecuted this case.

* Wonder if there's any relation to Dale?

January 23

Lisa Holley was hospitalized for a week after being beaten in her home on the 2700 block of Pelham Ave. Holley died on Monday, and her boyfriend has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Anna Ditkoff takes a look at the homicides at 2007. There are also some very interesting statistics, and (of course) a few new names and updates in Murder Ink.

AAC police have officially said that the double murder in Annapolis was, in fact, a double murder. In the same article, a cabby in Annapolis totally screwed up a robber's plan.

50-year-old Dr. Lorraine Fertsch has been missing since Sunday, when she was last seen near Union Memorial.

Alleged convenience store robber Gary Carpenter tried and convicted himself at the Cecil County jail.

Sean Nelson Smith got convicted, but Nicholas Porter and Vance Major got off. Meanwhile, the Sun offers a look at the life of Smith and his activist mother, Mildred Samy.

Justin Switzer got 13 years for making meth in an AAC cemetery. Now, he just wants to "get back into college."

A bit more about the case of the Charles Village stabber. (Wasn't that an Encyclopedia Brown book?)

I'm confused. Last week, Dr. Sharfstein said we needed to get illegal bupe off the streets. Today, an article in the Examiner reports that the good doctor says illegal bupe is overhyped. What's the deal?

Servers Targeted?

From a Roland Park neighborhood crime alert:
"Last night, January 21, at approximately 8:45 pm, a female employee of Loco Hombre was taking a break in the back of the restaurant and was approached by a male who demanded her apron. She did not have one. He rummaged through her pockets and took $5, black book of customer credit card receipts, and her cell phone.

Deputy Major Smith reported that detectives are assigned to this case and that he is fairly certain that this was a crime of opportunity and it does not match any robbery trends in the area."

It may not constitute a trend (yet), but this does sound similar to the robbery of three employees of the nearby Ambassador Dining Room on January 1, and there have been a higher-than-usual number of "opportunity" thefts in the Evergreen area lately, so be advised, Tuscans, Evergreeners and waitstaffs.

.. in other news, 70-year-old Marie Bellamy pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return, which helped one Joseph Poteat, age 61, of Danville, Virginia, bilk "investors" out of $17 million in an old-fashioned pyramid scheme.

January 22

George Dyson just pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon, and got 18 years for his deeds.

On May 27, 2007 at approximately 4:30PM Dyson stabbed a 57-year-old woman multiple times while she was walking home from the grocery store in the 100 block of E. 26th St. near the corner of St. Paul St. She suffered a collapsed lung. This is Dyson's third robbery with a deadly weapon conviction.

Mayor Moyer's two recently murdered constituents were shot to death.

Apparently, Daewoos and groceries are hot on the carjacking scene.

Brandon Morris chose to let a judge determine his sentence.

Sarah Kreager's attorneys seem to be hoping that things aren't as safe and reliable as the MTA says.

Isaiah Simmons' family is calling for manslaughter charges.

Kathleen Ann Harris pleaded guilty to hooking up high school kids with lots of fun things that end in "done."

A bill was introduced yesterday to standardize punishments for cyberbullying. Perhaps cyberasskickings would be a fitting punishment?

Dumb cops might have a new potential employer.

Worse to Worser Dept.

Deputy Mayor Salima "They just don’t have no black people up in there like that" Marriott holds a doctorate from Howard, was a member of the faculty Morgan State University for 24 years, and while in the house of delegates served on at least four educational committees.
Wow.
(Thanks Cynic)

January 21

Two victims were ID'd this morning. The man shot last week on Cliftmont Ave. was 19-year-old Isaiah McKeiver, and the man who was killed on Saturday night on Holbrook St. was identified as 20-year-old Effrem Devon Kearney.

A key witness is missing, and the case against alleged triple-shooter Vincent Berry is on hold. Another potential witness in the case was murdered in November even though he wasn't snitching.

Deputy Mayor Salima Siler Marriott talks about her son, Patrice, who was recently indicted on federal gun charges.
QTD: "You can’t enter corporate at 27, black, 250 pounds, 6-foot-4. They just don’t have no black people up in there like that."

Walter Buczynski didn't kill himself and his wife because his subprime mortgage company was in the crapper, or so says fellow executives at the Columbia company that is "financially circling the drain."

Jason Blizzard of Taneytown is in serious condition after allegedly being stabbed by his 16-year-old brother, Ryan.

Wow. Witnesses and a victim worked with effective cops to arrest a criminal. Weird.

It's good to see some under appreciated weapons getting some face time.

Criminal tip for the day: If you're part of a successful, international car theft ring, don't leave your cell phone behind.

Politicians in Annapolis are spinning their wheels and blowing hot air.

Iris, one of only 71 dogs in the country who is trained to search for accelerants in suspected arson cases, is retiring from the AAC fire department. And should Iris ever be in need of a transfusion, you can help her out.

January 20

An unidentified man was shot to death at about 9:30 last night in the 1500 block of Holbrook St., behind the Green Mount cemetery.

The headline "Young life taken on a troubled block in the city" is nearly identical to the one that ran for the story on Edward Smith in Cherry Hill, but this time the victim is 18-year-old Collin Mazyck and the troubled block is 2700 Tivoly Ave.

Mayor Moyer (wow, that's fun to say) eloquently addresses Friday's double murder of Cecelia Brown and Charles Cully: "It's not a good day. When we got to thinking that disputes get settled with guns, I don't know." I don't know either, Mayor.

Marvin Little was charged with murdering 27-year-old Derrin Thomas in a pickup truck near the Arundel Mills mall on January 10.

Jason T. Blizzard was stabbed in the 100 block of E. Baltimore St. in Taneytown (Carroll County) and is in serious condition.

There might've been a third man involved in the August murders of Dequincey Antonio Smith and Dontay Lamont Williams in Brooklyn Park.

Perhaps Dundalk resident David Abrams has learned that bad things happen if you lunge at cops while holding a knife.

Firefighter Fatima Hawkins was allegedly dealing coke and pot.

13-year-old Daniel Joseph Tasker ran away from his BaltCo home on January 8, and hasn't been seen since. Have you seen him?

Poe has been toasted.

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 2

Sudhir Venkatesh watched the second episode of The Wire with his thug pals, and published their thoughts on the Freakonomics blog.

January 18

One of last night's murders happened on the same block where the city is razing abandoned houses; the other happened just a few blocks east of where Patterson High senior and aspiring future police officer Christopher Clarke was killed in crossfire last year.

If the stats are accurate, though, we've had eight murders compared to 17 at this time last year. Bealefeld, if you ever want a beer, I'm buying.

A man was shot Wednesday night in the 2300 block of Wheatley Dr. in the Southwestern. Also in the Blotter: a stubborn jackass on E. 25th St., armed robberies in Essex and Towson, and some stolen beer cans.

Brandon Morris: The jury's out.

Sean Nelson Smith: Guilty.

Michael Gagnon: Not Guilty. (Or so he says.)

The Bermudez brothers went postal, and now they're going to prison.

"Dozens of supporters of a Whiteford couple accused of starving their adopted son to death crammed into a room in Harford County Circuit Court yesterday for the first day of the couple's trial." Uh... why in the world do they have dozens of supporters?

A psych patient who was recently arrested on assault charges decided to leave the crazy house.

Two Murders

Report of two murders last night: one man found shot in an alley at about 7 p.m. in the 3500 block of Cliftmont Ave., and an unidentified person in the 2700 block of Tivoly Ave. at about 11 p.m.

January 17

There are several substantial stories on Mr. Hallback today, but nobody can agree on how to spell the guy's first name: The Sun writes Zachariah, The Examiner, WYPR and WBAL TV have Zecariah, WJZ follows the City Paper and brings Zechariah to the table, and ABC2 News has more important things to cover than murdered teenagers who were working on education reform.
A viewing for Hallenback will be held on Friday from 3-7 p.m. at the Chavis Funeral Home, 2007 Eastern Ave. The funeral is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Saturday at Israel Baptist Church, Preston and Washington.

The guy with the post about Mr. Hallback and the "Stop Snitching" photo that inspired some discussion in yesterday's comments promises that he'll explain his rationale for using that image on his site.

Soman Narayanan Thamby is now facing first-degree murder charges for fatally stabbing his wife, Lesa Lynn Thamby, last year.

The Bowling Brook counselors might get off on their reckless endangerment charges.

Jurors are deliberating about Sean Nelson Smith's innocence. Or lack thereof.

A nurse called 911 to say she saw Brandon Morris shoot prison guard Jeffery Wroten, but the jury won't hear it because the nurse might not have actually seen the shooting.

Dr. Sharfstein wants to reduce illegal bupe on the streets. Yeah, because the city has been so successful in reducing other illegal drugs here.

Stupid a-hole.

From the Algebra Project

We mourn the loss of Zachariah Hallback, a wonderful young man who had participated in many Algebra Project events, and who was helping to organize for the action below. Zach was shot Wednesday, Jan. 9 during a robbery while he waited with other Algebra Project youth for a bus across the street from City College High School. He was pronounced dead on Friday, Jan. 11. The students have decided to continue with this action in his memory.

- STUDENT ACTION --CSI ANNAPOLIS-- NOW SCHEDULED FOR *FEB. 6*
- Please join them, Silent March to the State House begins at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb 6, from Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West Street, Annapolis.
- RIDES NEEDED FOR PARENTS--PLEASE CALL 410-338-0679 TO HELP.
- DEMANDS INCLUDE:
- Reverse cuts to Thornton Funding -- school system must currently cut $50 million to balance 2009 budget
- Jobs in the knowledge-based economy for all youth
- $800 million for Baltimore schools as ordered by court
- Arts for all students; Buildings repaired, not closed; Class sizes capped at 20.
- Quality Education as a Constitutional Right.
- Some students will perform a die-in to dramatize the cost of inadequate education, and the Governor's Mansion will be wrapped in crime-scene tape.

For more information, Call 410-338-0679

Jay

UPDATE: The Sun covers a vigil at the scene of the killing.

40 Years for Killer of Andrew Levi Jackson

At a hearing yesterday, Earl Bazemore, 20, of the 2500 block of E. Fayette Street pled guilty to first degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Robert Kershaw sentenced Bazemore to life in prison suspending all but 40 years and five years probation.

Co-defendant Victor Miller, 21, of the 2000 block of W. Eutaw Street pled guilty January 7, 2008 to conspiracy to commit murder and use of a handgun in a crime of violence for his role as lookout. Judge Kershaw sentenced Miller to 50 years in prison suspending all but 25 years and five years probation.

In the early morning hours of September 25, 2006 Police found the body of Andrew Levi Jackson, 26, in the area of the 3200 block of Mt. Royal Terrace. Mr. Jackson had been shot execution style three times in the back of the head. Three .38 caliber bullets were recovered during the autopsy of Mr. Jackson.

On September 27, 2006, Earl Bazemore and Victor Miller were in a gold-colored Honda Accord that was stopped by police in the 6300 block of Hudson Street. A handgun was recovered from the vehicle. The ballistics examination performed revealed the gun recovered from the vehicle was the same gun used to shoot and kill Andrew Levi Jackson.

Homicide Detectives learned from the two other occupants of the car that
Earl Bazemore, whose nickname was “Killer B” and Victor Miller, also known as “.40 Cal” had bragged about killing Mr. Jackson. The witnesses told police how Bazemore and Miller lured the victim into the secluded area near Mt. Royal Terrace and Whitelock Street and then with Miller acting as a lookout, Bazemore shot the victim once in the back of the head and then two more times after Mr. Jackson had fallen to the floor.

The witnesses further explained that Mr. Jackson, who was a lieutenant in the L-Set of the Bloods, was killed because he was “false flagging” – misrepresenting his status inside the gang, and that Bazemore and Miller, who were members of the East Side Bounty Hunters set of the gang, were given the task of killing Mr. Jackson as punishment for this violation of the Bloods Code.

Assistant State’s Attorney E. Wesley Adams prosecuted the case.

January 16

Another shooting in Edgewood.

WJZ has an interview with Diamonte Fairley, the boy scalded and scarred for life by Shamia Lawson. His grandfather reports that he may have to have toes amputated and "may not be able to procreate without an operation."

"The stupidity of it is astounding." Lamont Thomas Harrell, 23, pleaded guilty to the 2007 murders of Allen Coates and Andre S. Jones and got 50 years for both murders and related gun charges.

Murders of Jarrell Brown, Zechariah Hallback and Willie Joyner in the "Ink," the 2004 cases of Jennifer Fischbach and Leslie Berger were closed, as was the 2007 murder of Byron Dickey.

Probation violation charges will be dropped against accused rapist Charles Carroll.

Burglary and vandalism at Bryn Mawr and Boys' Latin.

The CP has part II of the story of Fred Brooks, the drug dealer who ruined Remington.

"Violence Haunts Cherry Hill Block"

Lots of free time at work today? Check out NYT Mag's Steven Pinker pondering if morality is innate, and the various bloggy ponderings of the issue.

January 15

"The 9-year-old boy went outside without his godmother's permission. His punishment was to sit in a bathtub as the woman filled it with five pots of boiling water. When he emerged from the scalding water, the lower half of his body was covered in severe burns. The woman waited four days to take him to a hospital."
Judge Glynn gave her six months... and the Department of Social Services allowed her to keep her biological child.

A boy who was 14-ish was sot to death in the 800 block of Bethune Rd. in Cherry Hill last night at about 6:30. (Isn't it amazing that two of our first six murders happened on the same street? I took a ride down Bethune Rd. last week, and I've never seen so many people in one neighborhood wearing so many red clothes. They must all have the same tailor or something.)

The article above confirms that 18-year-old Zecariah Hallback died on Saturday after being shot at a safe and reliable bus stop at the corner of 33rd and The Alameda on Thursday night. I assume that Hallback was waiting for the infuriatingly inconsistent MTA #22, which would have dropped him off a few blocks from his home in the 3200 block of Noble St.

And the same article also IDs 18-year-old Willie Joyner as the guy who was fatally stabbed by an old man in a store in the 400 block of E. 25th St. on Saturday afternoon.

Someone got shot in the crotch on Eutaw, and a cop got bopped on the noggin on Pennsylvania Ave.

Threats against the HarCo Circuit Courthouse were made on Friday, so there's more security in Bel Air during Sean Nelson Smith's trial.

Stupid bitch.

PDJ: Registered sex offender Leon Frederick Richards was charged with stalking an 11-year-old girl in Bel Air.

Beware of teenagers in puffy coats.

Three Lanham teenagers are being held without bond for last week's PG drive-by that killed one teenage girl and injured another teenage girl and a 36-year-old man. Apparently, the girl who died wasn't the intended target.

We must've just gotten some fancy new DNA equipment or something, because two guys were just arrested in two unrelated cases involving two dead hookers from three years ago. If my math is right, we'd have one more living hooker in this town if one of the guys hadn't gotten a suspended sentence on an old assault charge.

Patrick Byers (the accused murderer who allegedly paid someone $1,000 to kill witness Carl Lackl) goes to trial today for the death of Larry Haynes, and Bernardo Leconte and Cordero Taylor are being charged as adults for stabbing a 17-year-old at the Mall in Columbia.

It's a rough time to be an allegedly incompetent social services worker in either Baltimore or DC.

The trial continues for Brandon T. Morris, who is charged with killing prison guard Jeffery Wroten.

Mom Pleads in Death of Two-Year-Old

At a hearing today Destiny D’Urso, 26, of Damascus, MD, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Under terms of the plea agreement, announced in open court before Judge Timothy J. Doory, D’Urso agreed to testify truthfully and honestly against Paul Highfield. There was no sentence agreement, but the maximum prison sentence for manslaughter is 10 years. No sentencing date was scheduled.

On September 12, 2006 Anthony Joseph D’Urso, 2, lived at 1213 E. Patapsco Ave. Destiny D’Urso, the victim’s mother, left for work leaving her son in the care of Paul Highfield. The child was healthy when she left. When she returned, the child was vomiting uncontrollably, and D’Urso noticed numerous knuckle-sized bruises on the child’s abdomen. The child continued vomiting, and was put to bed by D’Urso. The child died during the night. D’Urso never sought medical attention for the child. The Medical Examiner determined that the child died of blunt force trauma.

The murder and child abuse trial of Paul Highfield, 28, of the 4000 block of Security Lane was scheduled for March 17, 2008. D’Urso remains held on $350,000 bail. Highfield is held without bail. Assistant State’s Attorneys Julie Drake, Chief of the Felony Family Violence Division and Patricia McLane will prosecute this case.

Meanwhile, Sam Chambers, the director of the Department of Social Services, has stepped down.

January 14

We listed Zachariah Hallback over on the right side of the site, but the Sun says he's still in critical condition. For Mr. Hallback's sake, I hope the Sun got it right this time. Meanwhile, police can find neither killer nor kin for the man who was stabbed at E. 25th St. and Greenmount Ave. on Saturday.

Also in the Blotter (above link): a home invasion, an unlucky delivery guy in Essex, an arsonist who hates Ford vans in Towson, cigarette thieves in Pikesville, and morons continue to leave their shit in their cars in the Southeastern.

Robert Turner just figured out that the rules are a bit different in HoCo.

Convenience store owners might want to think twice before hiring Tiffany Harris.

Six people were arrested for robbing a bank by impersonating guards from an armored car service.

Whew. Thank goodness we don't have any crime victims, or else we'd have to care about these federal funding cuts.

The teens are triflin', yo.

January 12

An unidentified man was reportedly found dead of multiple stab wounds about 2 p.m. on the 400 block of E. 25th St. (literally on the street?)

Shoot, Shop & Save: Thursday, a man was shot in the lower torso inside a Harford Avenue grocery store.

City resident Derrin Davon Thomas was the man shot to death in an upscale community near Arundel Mills. Apparently, he was a real good guy.

What not to do when applying for a job.

Police say she cried wolf. Or bad touch. Or bad touch by a wolf. Or something.

The ambulance chasers caught the ambulance stealers.

It pays to show up for court! Down in PGC yesterday, a judge ordered rap star DMX to pay $1.5 million for defaming the mother of his bastard child in a print interview.

January 11

18-year-old Zachariah Hallback is the name of the man who was shot in the head on Wednesday while waiting for a safe and reliable bus at E. 33rd St. and The Alameda. From the way it sounds, things aren't looking so good for Mr. Hallback.

In other Blotter news (link above), a 30-year-old man was shot in the back, and a 45-year-old man got knocked off his bicycle.

An unidentified man was fatally shot in one of the hoity-toity neighborhoods next to Arundel Mills mall.

A man and woman were stabbed this morning in the 2300 block of E. Preston St., and to quote ABC2's brilliant editorial staff, "This morning police care..."

Police have identified the man who is accused of molesting a sixth-grader at Perry Hall Middle School, but they have not arrested him.

Hopefully, Gerard Damon was as tired of being free as he was of being locked up.

In bank robbery news, BaltCo police released a photo of the man who robbed the 1st Mariner Bank on Joppa Rd. in Towson on January 4th, and a clever robber at a Wachovia bank in DC got away with $100G without anyone at the bank knowing they'd been robbed.

17-year-old hammer-beater Tierra Lashawn Powell got 18 months for her violent attack on an 18-year-old woman who gave her and her friends a ride. Good to know that all the wuss judges aren't in the city.

Michael Gagnon, the alleged drunk douchebag who wiped out a Parkville family, was indicted on five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated vehicular assault. He faces up to 50 years.

In other drunk douchebag news, drunken crackhead Fontaine Pridgett pleaded guilty to killing three people who were on their way to receive kidney dialysis treatments in 2006.

The rapist in a 1992 case got nine years after his DNA was matched to evidence.

The trial of Brandon T. Morris begins today. Morris is charged with killing corrections officer Jeffery Wroten during a botched escape.

Officer Gets Probation for 'Misconduct' With 16-Year-Old in Police Station

From the SA's office: Just before his scheduled rape trial was scheduled to begin today, Baltimore Police Officer William Darrell Welch, 41, of Quiet Stream Court, Timonium, Maryland, pled guilty to misconduct in office.

Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Welch to a suspended 10-year prison term, three years' probation and ordered him to tender his resignation to the Police Department by January 14, 2008.

On July 16, 2006 Welch had sexual intercourse in the Southeastern District Station with a 16-year old girl after she had been taken into custody by another officer.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Temmi Rollock and Jennifer Williams of the Sex Offense Division prosecuted this case.

UPDATE: More from Melissa Harris.

January 10

The man found shot to death in a house on North Ave. was 30-year-old Jerrell Brown. Apparently, the house was not abandoned, as Brown was living there.

Also in the Blotter (link above): a catfight near the North Ave. light rail station (remember, the MTA is safe and reliable!), a Buddha thief in the Southern, and a very considerate armed robber in Owings Mills.

Speaking of safe and reliable, a man was found at a bus stop in the 2600 block of Dulaney St. after being shot in the leg, and another man was shot in the head at a bus stop near the City campus at E. 33rd St. and The Alameda. Neither gunshot was fatal. Yet.

An employee of a contractor working at Perry Hall Middle School sexually assaulted an 11-year-old in the girls' bathroom yesterday.

17-year-old Loren Denver White was arrested for the home invasion / robbery of a 62-year-old woman in Owings Mills. Sexual assault has been added to the list of charges against the alleged piece of shit.

If you're going to deny showing your junk to high school girls, you might not want to admit to it while the police are recording your call.

The trial against alleged cop perv William Darrell Welch is scheduled to begin today in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

The stabbing at the Mall in Columbia appears to be drug related. Visitors to the mall were reported as saying crazy things, like 'this is horrible' and 'people need to make better decisions."

The Maryland DHR is being investigated for how they handled the case of Bryanna Harris.

The victims of the Pigtown burglar speak out.

A devastated block in a city of devastated blocks is being torn down.

The old 'fireworks in the gas tank' trick.

$30 reward offered to HoCo snitches.

A man was shot in the head at a bus stop tonight at the intersection of 33rd and the Alameda. He is reportedly still alive.

Freakonomics does "The Wire"

Sudhir Venkatesh (best known for his gang studies that were analyzed in Freakonomics) evaluates the authenticity of "The Wire" with a bunch of older and experienced thugs.

More on the economics of "The Wire" from blogger "YouNotSneaky!"

January 9

Homicide #3: an unidentified man's body was found in an abandoned rowhouse in the 3000 block of W. North Ave. yesterday morning.

This week's Ink covers the last murder of '07 and the first two of a remarkably calm new year. (And for all you Anna Ditkoff fans, there's a staged reading of the 2007 Murder Ink columns by the Single Carrot Theatre. 7:00pm at 45 W. Preston St.)

A memorial service was held yesterday for the Parkville family that was killed by alleged drunk driver Michael Gagnon.

A 17-year-old was stabbed in a parking lot at the Columbia Mall, and is in critical condition at Shock Trauma.

The victim of yesterday's home invasion / robbery was a 62-year-old Owings Mills woman.

Down in PG, two teenage girls were shot in a driveby, and a 30-year-old man was accidentally hit as well.

In other DC news, crackhead Tonya Bell apologized for being such a crappy driver.

Kerri King was granted a postponement. HarCo prosecutor Dair Pillai described her as a "threat to the public and community."

The lawyer for Sean Nelson Smith said it wasn't murder, it was self-defense.

Joseph Ellis admitted he's a perv, but not that kind of perv.

Security guard Rodney Corban was acquitted, and the doctor who was allegedly attacked -- who has a $30M lawsuit pending against UMMC -- played the race card.

The 9-year-old girl who was attacked by a pit bull on Bonaparte Ave. is still in the hospital. The dog, whose body showed signs of potential dogfighting and whose owner cannot be identified, was euthanized and is being tested for rabies.

Parking agent H. West was suspended in November, and Inspector General Hilton Green is investigating the fake parking tickets.

City Paper has the first half of an interesting story about Baltimore dealer Fred Brooks.