Alleged Child Rapist Indicted

Today the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Timothy Price, 31, of Owings Mills, on a 15-count indictment alleging second-degree rape, sex offense and sexual child abuse. Court documents allege Timothy Price had sexual intercourse with a 12 year-old victim on three occasions at different locations between December 2007 and January 2008. He is currently being held on a $1 million bail in the Baltimore City Jail. An arraignment is scheduled for March 20, 2008 before Judge John P. Miller, Room 428 Mitchell Courthouse.

February 27

Holy cow! Someone got shot in Edgewood. I don't think that's ever happened before!

Three murders this week in the Ink: Henry Davis, Murriel Chew and an as-yet-unidentified man. Plus more on the thoroughly WTF?! case of Juanita Robinson.

"Attorney In Bus Beating Wants Case Dismissed" Well, duh!

HoCo slugger Kevin Klink got 13 years. His victim's father didn't know how to take Klink's apology.

In the county, Nicholas Weaver was formally charged in the 2002 murder of David Baskin, Jr. Weaver was returned to Baltimore yesterday from New York after waiving an extradition hearing.

A couple of armed gas station robbers were nailed by police after stealing money from a teenager in the Deener.

The cells in their cells provide "extraordinary telephonic opportunity."

A 16-year-old set off an explosive device in his Millersville high school, and now faces felony charges.

15 Years for Parolee's Assault With Dog

At a hearing today, Charles Smith, 23, of the 3100 block of Belmont Ave., pleaded guilty to two counts of second degree assault. Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Smith to 15 years in prison, 10 years for one assault and a consecutive five years in prison for the other. Details from the SA's office:

On April 20, 2006 Agent Kimberly Collins and Lt. Robert Thumma were working in their jobs as members of the parole retake warrant task force when they were attempting to serve the parole retake warrant against Smith at his home, 3117 Belmont Ave. Smith was on parole for attempted murder and was in violation. Upon arrival they were met with Smith’s mother who stated her son was home. He came down the steps along with his pit bull and the dog ran out the open door and started running down the street. Smith told the agents the dog was extremely vicious and would only answer to him. Because there were children playing outside, the agents allowed Smith to attempt to retrieve his dog. Smith ran after the dog with Agt. Collins behind him on foot and Lt. Thumma following in a patrol car.

Smith caught the dog, but as Agt. Collins was about to place him under arrest he threw the pit bull through the open window of Lt. Thumma’s patrol car and directly onto Lt. Thumma’s lap. Lt. Thumma was able to get out of the car uninjured, leaving the dog locked inside. Smith, in an attempt to elude capture, ran at and pushed Agt. Collins with such force that her feet went over her head and her head hit the concrete sidewalk. Smith eluded arrest that day and was eventually arrested in November 2006. Agt. Collins sustained a fractured skull and a large hematoma behind her ear and to this day continues to suffer from headaches.

Assistant State’s Attorney Staci Pipkin prosecuted this case.

UPDATE: A source tells us the dog is fine and living with the defendant's mother.

Who's that cop?

From a Sun article by Annie Linskey and Nick Madigan:

The Baltimore Police Department is considering changing a long-standing practice of quickly releasing names of officers who kill or injure citizens ... Under one plan, the officer's name would be released only after investigations by the department's internal investigation division, homicide and the state's attorney's office ...

The article goes on to say that "police officers involved in departmental shootings could become targets themselves." I wonder how many police officers have become targets, compared to the number of witnesses who have been attacked/killed to keep them from testifying?

Additionally, do police officers deserve more privacy than "normal citizens" who are being investigated for possible criminal actions? Should the names of alleged sex offenders not be released unless the person pleads/is found guilty? Does "innocent until proven guilty" only apply to police officers?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

February 26

The latest murder victim was ID'd as 23-year-old Eric Jones, who was shot to death in the living room of a rowhouse on W. North Ave.

Frank Rodney Jones Jr.'s body was found last week in Davidsonville, but his car and his killer are still missing.

Ryan J. Butler Sr. got 50 years for killing his former girlfriend. From Jennifer McMenamin at the Sun:

When DNA analysts examined blood evidence from the Baltimore County townhouse where Anna Marie Bergman was shot to death, they isolated a genetic profile of not only the 20-year-old murder victim. Mixed with her blood, they also found DNA of her 3-year-old son.

"It was probably tears," prosecutor Michelle Samoryk told a judge yesterday at a plea hearing in the case.

In HoCo, Kevin Klink got 13 years for killing Robert Brazell Jr., 18, with a baseball bat.

Samuel and Donna Merryman of HarCo were accused of starving their 8-year-old adopted son to death; they pleaded guilty yesterday to first-degree child abuse.

Is it just me, or does "Tree Top Piru" sound like some long lost Pokemon? You know, maybe Pikachu's thuggish little cousin or something. (There's more about the bust at the Examiner, along with an interview with Rod and a handy glossary.

The feds are investigating BPD Officer Tommy Sanders' fatal shooting of Edward Lamont Hunt.

There was some hostage action in Cherry Hill yesterday.

"Dennis" is (allegedly) a dirty, dirty man.

Bully Be Gone!

Lamarr Harris needs to take some lessons from Terrance Washington, who is still on the loose and probably not getting skull drunk.

Ew, gang rape in a Federalsburg Junior League baseball dugout.

Dang, That's a Lotta Gang

Here's the DOJ press release about the 28 indicted "Tree Top Piru" gang members. The indictment includes allegations of five murders, witness intimidation, drug trafficking, RICO violations and poor punctuation.

February 25

Feels like old times. We had five shootings last night and this morning, two of which were fatal. A man was killed and a woman was injured in the 700 block of W. North Ave., a 23-year-old man died last night after being shot five times at the beautiful corner of N. Milton Ave. and E. Chase St., a gunman opened fire in a corner grocery on N. Gilmor St. and hit one man, and a 70-year-old man was injured during a home invasion last night in the 3500 block of W. Forest Park Ave.

Julie B. takes a look at some of the realities of dealing with domestic violence in the city. For instance

Shenera Norris told a Baltimore judge that she did not want prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against her boyfriend - a man accused of battering her and threatening to kill her with a butcher knife. ... So last May, the cases against Dale Rodney Jones were suspended. On Feb. 15, police said, Jones stabbed Norris, 31, to death. Still holding the knife after the attack in Norris' apartment building, Jones, 48, was shot to death by a police officer.

When demons talk, S.T. Nelson listens.

In the Southeastern, it's fake cops vs. real cops. Also, a whole bunch of people got stabbed.

If you see a blue '98 Land Rover with Maryland tags 01573M6, the dude driving it might kill you.

The infinitely wise City Council is going after dirt bikes.

The infinitely inept Dept. of Transportation is still being troubled by fake parking tickets.

Somebody is really pissed at mailboxes in HarCo.

Annapolis PD chief Joseph Johnson is interviewed in The Examiner.

All of the young (alleged) sex criminals aren't in the city; some of them were busy raping a 12-year-old girl in Federalsburg.

Weekend

Friday, Governor Martin O'Malley announced yesterday a coordinated federal state and local crime fighting effort ... for Annapolis!

Baltimore City Solicitor George A. Nilson: we want more work!

The MD senate has made it a misdemeanor for educators, human services workers, police officers or health care practitioners who have reason to believe a child has been abused to not report the evidence to authorities.

Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin are still against Rod Rosenstein's judgeship. It's a cautionary tale: learn to do a job well, then you'll get stuck with it forever!

What the?! Educators complain of truant preschoolers.

Billy Murphy on Billy Murphy: defending a real Clay Davis would be "in the seven-figure range."

Evening: Addicts, Drunks, a Geezer & a Cuckold

Party's over, gramps! U.S. Marshalls nabbed an 81-year-old man who escaped a MD prison in 1965!
More from Annie Linskey.

Calvert Hall College: sex-abuse lawsuits could bankrupt us

In AAC, an off-duty Baltimore police officer thwarted a would-be armed robber who pointed a BB-gun rifle at pharmacists and demanded methadone at a Glen Burnie Walgreens last night.

What happens in the "OC" off-season? Some crazy parking lot fights, drug use and drunks kicking cops (don't try that at home!).

PGC: Cops are warning women to beware the Craigslist rapist.

MoCo: "A divided Court of Appeals has upheld the first-degree murder conviction of an allegedly cuckolded husband, even though prosecutors essentially vouched before trial that he did not fire the fatal shots."

Thugs on The Wire, Part VII

"White people would never name a gang 'Bloods.' White people would name it 'Goldman Sachs.'"

[Thanks Lucid!]

Girl Admits to Bus Beating

A 14-year-old girl admitted Thursday in juvenile court that she was "involved" in the attack on Sarah Kreager. She was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, ordered to undergo an evaluation and counseling, to attend school every day and arrive on time, not speak publicly about the incident and to write a letter of apology to Kreager. Prosecutors said Kreager's left eye may be permanently damaged.
The Sun has excerpts from ASA Alfred Guillaume's statements yesterday, names juvenile who was allegedly spit on as Nakita McDaniels.

Convicted murderer and rape suspect Charles Carroll will be released from jail this month.

Murder victims Cumberland Richardson Jr. and Murriel Chew were named, plus a man shot in the legs on Wednesday in the blotter.

The officer who shot Edward Hunt told homicide detectives he feared for his life.

In the county, Rodney Moore, one of four men accused of shooting an African immigrant for his iPod, was convicted of a gun crime.

More on the Anthony McCarthy story: the alleged victim stayed in McCarthy's home "for a few nights." According to Olesker, "McCarthy declared himself 'guilty of stupidity, and nothing more.'"

"Weeping and wailing and organ music": WYPR on the (not very enlightening) lessons learned from their series, "The Toll."

Baltimore City firefighter unions are asking a court to stop the mayor's order that firefighters must retake promotional exams following suspicions of cheating.

"Dixon said she is putting in place new security procedures for the March 15 retest, including assigned seating, new test monitors, increased standards for subject matter experts and restricted access to old tests."

Here's an idea-- how about changing the test questions?!

Jurors rejoice: the courts are closed today!

Themelis Sentences Probation Violators

From the SA's office (edited a bit for typos and clarity):

Garfield Redd, DOB 8/15/70 was originally convicted of assault in the first degree and assault in the second degree against two individuals. He was sentenced in the assault second degree to 5 years' incarceration and on the [first-degree] assault to 18 years with 10 years suspended [and] 5 years' probation upon his release by the Honorable John C. Themelis. While incarcerated, the defendant was found guilty of assault in the first degree [of] stabbing another inmate. Based on this new offense, a violation of probation hearing was conducted and the defendant was found to have violated his probation and sentenced to the balance of the time of 10 years.

Anthony James, DOB 11/4/63, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute a CDS [Controlled Dangerous Substance?] on 4/9/03. He was sentenced to 10 years, suspended, and placed on five years' probation by the Honorable John C. Themelis. On 2/20/08, Anthony James appeared for his violation of probation hearing [and] was found to have violated his probation after he was found guilty of a new offense of distribution of a CDS. He was sentenced to 9 years 6 months on his violation of probation. Sentencing is still pending for the new offense.

On 1/4/07, Malik Carter, DOB 10/11/77, appeared before the Honorable John C. Themelis and was found guilty of possession of a CDS. He was sentenced to 4 years, suspend all but time served, and placed on 2 years' probation. At the time that the defendant was sentenced he was on parole for another narcotics charge.* His plea resulted in his parole being revoked. Mr. Carter was referred to the home detention unit however he escaped from that unit on or about 5/7/07. This violated his probation and Judge Themelis imposed a sentence of 3 years and 6 months for violating his probation.

Hernandus Moody, DOB 1/12/58, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute a CDS on 2/16/06. He was sentenced to 10 years with 8 years suspended and placed on 3 years' probation upon his release by the Honorable John C. Themelis. He was released from incarceration on 12/29/06.* Mr. Moody was subsequently arrested on 5/31/07 for distribution of a CDS and subsequently found guilty of that offense on 10/24/07. This resulted in an allegation against Mr. Moody violating his probation. A hearing was conducted on 2/20/08 in which he was found to have violated his probation and was sentenced to 7 years.

Darrell Britt, DOB 5/7/08, was convicted of robbery on 5/3/07. He was sentenced to 6 years with 5 years 6 months suspended and placed on 5 years probation by the Honorable John C. Themelis. On 2/20/08 a violation of probation hearing was conducted were he was found to have violated his probation by testing positive for narcotics and failing to go to drug treatment. As a result of this violation he was sentenced to 4 years incarceration with a recommendation for drug treatment within the department of corrections.

*WTF?!?!?!

Middle East Murder

A man was shot to death last night in the Middle East. (The Sun has the murder at 1100 N. Chester, other reports say the 100 block.)

25-year-old John Linton, who admitted watching an associate push an 18-year-old Abdul Rahim Azzie into the Patapsco River in South Baltimore and "then fatally beat him in the head with a stick as the victim tried to stay afloat" pleaded guilty Tuesday to assault and conspiracy to commit assault.

Sun: legislators are hard at work on bad jokes, dumb laws and cake.
They do other stuff too, though, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is working to abolish drug-sentencing minimums, and today they're talking about a few other things.

What's the opposite of sex with a 14-year-old?
Whatever it might be, that's what the DC police stand for.

Questions to ponder, from my new favorite blog: "Why Aren't There More Old Criminals?"

Guilty Plea for Murder of Darren Mebane

...from the SA's office, edited for style...

Lorenzo Speight, 33, of the 700 block of Mt. Holley St., pleaded guilty yesterday to first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Under terms of the plea agreement, announced in open court, Speight faces a prison sentence of "life suspend all but 30 years" when Judge W. Michel Pierson sentences him February 28, 2008.

On October 18, 2007 at approximately 2:20 p.m. in the 1800 block of Walbrook Ave. Baltimore Police were in the area on patrol when they saw the victim running from an unknown male, later identified as Lorenzo Speight. Officers saw Speight firing a handgun at Darren Mebane, 21. Speight fatally shot Mebane, and police saw him get into a waiting vehicle. Officers pursued the car and eventually police apprehended Speight, who had jumped from the vehicle, in an alley near Dukeland and Baker Streets. A .357 revolver was located on the roof of a nearby address, 1501 Dukeland St., and ballistics later showed it was the murder weapon.

Police also apprehended the alleged driver, co-defendant Aaron Davis. The vehicle is registered to Aaron Davis. Davis is scheduled to stand trial on April 30, 2008. Assistant State’s Attorney David M. Grzechowiak of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

February 20

Updates in this week's Murder Ink.

IBJIM? No, more like IBICKY.

Terrell Watson / Terrence Washington has got to get some credit for sticktoitiveness. (There's a Successory in there somewhere, like maybe a prison fence with an eagle soaring above it at sunrise.)

An Aberdeen cabbie (would that be a Caberdeen?) was robbed at gunpoint.

Police want to question a New Yorker about Jeff Payne's murder.

NY college student Nicholas Dudley Pinderhughes Weaver waived extradition.

You can get out of jail (almost) free, but even that may be too high.

Beware of IRS phishers.

A new chapter in the Sun's slow, painful death: after the demise the London and Beijing bureaus, now they're closing Towson! The extra office space will make space for a publication called "b," that will be "reader-generated" and "user-generated."
More on this from the S itself.
(A prescient article from the WSJ from two years ago: "Do New Free Dailies Mean Sun Is Setting For Paid Newspapers?")

Victims of Pervert Sought

County police are seeking anyone who's had inappropriate communication or contact with sex offender James Willnecker of Essex, right, who was arrested for trying to get all up in a 14-year-old Michigan girl.

Not Guilty Plea from Methadone Mom

At arraignment this morning, Vernice Harris, charged with murder and child abuse resulting in death, pleaded not guilty. A trial date was scheduled for 11 a.m. April 22, 2008, 226 Mitchell Courthouse.

February 19

The Sun's Annie Linskey reports that before 22-year-old Jeff Payne was fatally shot at a party near Morgan State, he had been shot during the civil war in Liberia.

"He was young at the time," (his mother) said. "He talked about the dead bodies he had to walk though. He had to go hunting in the forest for food."

She said that Payne and his grandmother were always on the run. "They were going from one village to another," she said. "When the rebels got there, they'd have to leave again."

(His mother) tried to find Jeff and another son, but she couldn't. "They were running from to place to place. His father was trying so hard to find him. I thought he was not alive. I thought he had been taken by rebels."

At some point, during a raid, Jeff was apparently shot. His half brothers, Michael Gillies, 19, and Wilmot Daye, 25, both remembered him saying that he had been shot and showing them the scar.

City police yesterday arrested Darnell Jeter, 42, and charged him with the murder of Theresa Parker last March 25.

You've gotta love a Baltimore "high school night" where two 20-year-olds get shot, one fatally. I wonder if they were seniors yet?

A cutting in the Southeastern, and some broken flower pots in the county.

Saturday's shootout at a Laurel motel left (alleged) attempted-cop-killer Aaron Mason Lowery dead.

Timothy Marsh's German Shepherd misses him, and Annapolis' Mayor Moyer's fears that guns and drugs are "running rampant in the city." Meanwhile, WBAL uses the last paragraph in a story about Marsh to report on a non-fatal BB gun incident in Annapolis.

Alleged AAC carjacker Scott Corey Coale was arrested in California after trying his mad jacking skills in the parking lot of a motel.

Carl O. Snowden is the civil rights director for the Maryland attorney general's office; his kid, Kojo, was arrested on gun charges.

February 18

There was a double shooting at the Paradox Nightclub in the Southern that left one person in "pretty bad shape." A shooting and/or assault at Lombard and Paca might be related.
UPDATE: One of the victims has died.

A man was shot inside his car yesterday afternoon on the corner of W. Saratoga St. and Arlington Ave.

The man who was murdered in Morgan State student housing on Friday was not a Morgan student.

The Volunteers of America Comprehensive Sanction Center on E. Monument St. is apparently a pretty great place to be if you're a recently released inmate who doesn't want to bother with all of that pesky supervision.

Annapolis had its third murder of the year yesterday when Timothy Marsh was shot to death in his car in the 1300 block of Tyler Ave.

Darwin lives!

Somebody's a cranky fussypants! New footage shows Officer "I am not a dude" Rivieri kicking a remote-control car with way too much intensity. (Thanks Lucid!)

February 17

A woman (or teenager) was found fatally shot early yesterday in a vacant lot in the 3400 block of Woodland Avenue.

The man shot by police after (allegedly) stabbing Shenera Lanera Norris was identified as Dale Rodney Jones, 38.

Juanita Robinson, 27, was convicted for the murder of Andre McBride, 21. You may recall that Robinson previously served six months for killing 16-year-old Derrick Colbert. (Here's the link from the archive... though the original Sun link has departed to Internet heaven.)

PGC race neighbors: each time they called police about street races, they "heard a different story as to who was responsible for patrolling that stretch of road."

WBAL: Mover stole clients' belongings, drove drunk, ended up under 18 inches of ice.

In case you haven't noticed...

... snark and outrage are what we do best!
(thanks Colin)

February 16

Murder
Charles H. Davis and Nicholas Dudley Pinderhughes Weaver were arrested for the 2002 murder of 16-year-old David L. Baskin Jr.

Death-scene details from Annie Linskey in yesterday's murder of Shenera Norris.

"Norris ran through a neighbor's open door. The man crashed through a window to follow her, according to the witness. "I heard him say, 'I'll pay for the window, ' ... She died in her underwear, running for her life.

Drugs
Former drug dealer Fred Brooks: "when I encountered the joke of the state legal system I really felt untouchable."

Arkansas police stopped 31 pounds of cocaine en route to Baltimore.

Perversity
Remember the Liberian guy who avoided child sex abuse charges because Maryland court officials couldn't find an interpreter for him? He's being deported, at least.

Women's Wear
AG Doug Gansler has gotten David's Bridal to stop charging excessive layaway fees.

Another Murder and Skeevy Accusations

A man was shot to death at a Morgan State U. party.

Thank you Fritze! The intrepid reporter wrangled the documents revealing the accusation that got Dixon spokesman Anthony McCarthy placed on leave from his position:

... a 16-year-old boy who belonged to a Baltimore church where McCarthy preached, Unity Fellowship, told a Department of Social Services worker that McCarthy had engaged in improper sexual contact with him when he was 15.

All together now... eeeeeewwwwwww!

More ew: A grand jury indicted Roy Edward Hoover, Jr., age 37, of Baltimore, on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography and possession of child pornography.

And more! Sheez! Hagtown state delegate Robert A. McKee is under investigation for child porn. He's resigning his positions as delegate and as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County. Said McKee, "my primary focus is to get well and stay well."

Bad news for the news: the Sun plans to cut about 45 jobs in the near future, and the Tribune plans to cut about 2 percent of its total workforce overall. The NYT is also planning to cut about 100 newsroom jobs, and The Washington Post is closing its College Park production plant.

#19

A woman was stabbed to death at a Northwest apartment complex this morning, and the alleged stabber got a police bullet as a reward for his hard work.

February 15

It wasn't gang related, he hadn't stolen their girlfriend, and he didn't owe them money for drugs. Nope, looks like 16-year-old Dundalk resident Joshua Gibson was a victim of the dreaded random attack. At least it happened in the county, so perhaps the douchebags who killed him will get more than a stern talking-to.

Stephen Todd Nelson awoke from his coma and confessed to throwing his little boy off the Bay Bridge.

Leroy Wooden was arrested in the Southern and charged with murdering Barry Newman in August. The beauty of it all is that if somebody had told Leroy that he shouldn't beat up his woman, he might still be free.

A man was shot in the parking lot of the Rite-Aid on Frederick Ave. in the Southwestern. Police are looking for a heavyset male with a black shirt and blue jeans, a description that fits me perfectly.

First he beats up skateboards, now we learn he's beating up boxes.

AAC Sheriff "Flowers by Ron" Bateman is a pretty clever guy. Not so romantic, maybe, but clever.

Eric Griswold doesn't quite understand the whole drug-dealer-handshake thing.

Witness Intimidation Indictment

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Raymond Sheppard, 35, of the 1100 block of N. Carey Street for witness intimidation and harassment. Court documents allege on November 19, 2007, Raymond Sheppard threatened a witness in a pending felony criminal case. The victim reports on three subsequent occasions Sheppard threatened to kill her and family members if she gave testimony in an armed-robbery case. An arraignment is scheduled for March 7, 2008 before Judge John P. Miller, Room 428, Mitchell Courthouse East.

February 14

Shootings, shootings, everywhere! A Hopkins employee was shot outside a food store on Greenmount Ave., a man was shot in both legs on Biddle St., a teenager was shot outside a Chinese restaurant on Belair Rd., a man was shot in the foot on Herndon Ct., and some dude was robbed at gunpoint of his lottery ticket in Owings Mills (but not shot).

Four people-- three teenage boys and a girl-- were arrested for the murder of 16-year-old Joshua Gibson in Essex. The suspects and the victim did not know one another, and police say Gibson was attacked for "no apparent reason."

Headline that sounds dirty but isn't: "O'Malley urges DNA collection"

No criminal charges will be filed against Anthony McCarthy, Mayor Dixon's former communications director who was accused of "inappropriate" behavior. So we'll probably never find out what he was accused of.

The skateboarder is getting his 15 minutes.

Hey, Carl the carjacker, maybe you should'a thought about getting a lawyer before the day your trial started. Guess the courts beat you again!

The city is working with other cities to... get this... create a database! (Didn't see that coming, didja?) This time, gun offenders are the target.

A couple of New Yorkers got caught stealing in Annapolis.
Handy tip: "The women ... had 'boosting bags,' or shopping bags lined with aluminum foil, to avoid setting off security scanners at store exits."

A 12-year-old Mazda got stolen because the owner was (allegedly) too damned lazy to turn that little thingy that sits on the side of the steering column. Fortunately, the thief crashed the car almost immediately afterwards.

Wow. Unless we start doing some crimes, I'm going to be stuck linking to articles about restaurants who leave customers with useless gift cards.

February 13

What's Fred's secret? Says the Ink, "the city has had almost half as many homicides as it did at this time last year."

A teenager shot in the stomach Monday, a man shot in the leg Tuesday.

A nurse who had contact with Bryanna Harris as an infant took it upon herself to visit the family about 30 times and bring diapers and formula.
WTF?! Now, "prior to a birth, a nurse who has concerns about the future safety of an infant will be able to alert Social Services." They couldn't do that before?!

Somebody stoledid a ambalance! It was "last seen on I-495 heading into Virginia with its lights and sirens on." Whoo whoo!

Hey, Annie Linskey is back! Today finds our intrepid reporter reporting on watchers watching the watchmen.

Baltimore on the global scene! The cop v. skateboarder clip made CNN's "American Morning," (and is the fifth most-watched video of the day) and the BBC asked some choice Baltimore voters which candidates they prefer.
(thanks Simon)

Counties
County police are looking for a blurry burglary suspect.

In Towson, a man whose pit bull mauled two children got probation.

Hagtown: "Fists Swing At MD Trooper Child Porn Sentencing"

E-mail from the DNC

"The AP has reported an Anne Arundle County Judge has expanded voting hours in Maryland from 8:00pm to 9:30pm due to weather conditions."

"Arundle"?!
Well, you get the idea, anyway!

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 6

The latest post from Sudhir Venkatesh and the Thugs is up at Freakonomics.

February 12

Nicholas Browning was indicted on four counts of murder and handgun charges. He is on special watch, and is being observed by medical staff at the Baltimore County jail. My guess is he's sad that he can't drive that sweet Expedition.

The body found in Bel Air on Saturday has been ID'd as 57-year-old Paul Michael Shupe. Cause of death hasn't been determined, but there are no outward signs of foul play.

Prison justice is alive and well.

It's a bad news day for the BPD. Officer Salvatore Rivieri got caught on YouTube harassing some of Baltimore's most dangerous criminals. Officer Christopher Vallejo was found guilty of second-degree assault for attacking a woman in Federal Hill last September when he was off-duty. A woman in Baltimore filed a $40M lawsuit because Officer Ray Woodward allegedly punched her 16-year-old son in the face and broke his jaw for no apparent reason.

It's also a bad news day for (alleged) rapists. Dwight Carter was arrested and charged with raping a 13-year-old friend of his step-sister. Thomas J. Grant was given two consecutive life sentences for the 1979 rape and murder of Sheila "Sis" Bazemore Rascoe. Cortlandt Harvey Dorsey pleaded guilty to raping a 56-year-old Kenyan tourist in 2006.

And there's been bad news for people who eat: A couple was robbed in Little Italy while taking a walk after dinner, a pizza delivery guy in Pikesville was robbed of money and pizza, and a gunman ordered food at a Dunkin Donuts on Reisterstown Rd. and then stole the contents of two cash registers. No word on whether or not he got away with any donuts.

I am Not a Dude!

It's cop v. skateboarder!
(Thanks Marc)

Here's where you can find your sample ballot for today's primary. Did you know you're also voting on judges and delegates? Who knew?

February 11

A man was standing at a corner on E. Baltimore St. early Friday morning when he was stabbed in the stomach.

There's a blue light special on homemade bombs.

"Spoiled kid" Nicholas Browning "didn't like his father because he used to always yell at him and stuff."

Allan A. Banks was charged with murdering Collin Mazyck on Tivoli Ave. last month. Mazyck's family say he was walking to a Chinese restaurant, but police are investigating the possibility that he was robbed while buying weed.

Ex-offenders are working with the Baltimore Health Department to try to stop the violence in the city.

"It's gonna take [guys] like us in the 'hood," (Donte) Barksdale, 33, was saying to a young man he met on Monument Street last week, not far from the Safe Streets office, pressing a flier into the youth's hand. "The police can't do it. It's impossible."

Aspiring criminals, be careful with that next tattoo.

The Examiner profiles Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson.

Lawsuit: Monogamous spouse smeared as ‘swinger’

Kid's Corner!
Here's that Sun editorial that's annoying everyone: "At 15, still a kid"

WTF?! Bus-beating defendant doesn't understand the words "justified" or "initial."

A program by correctional officers scares 11-year-olds straight with the spectre of public pooping.

February 10

Prosecutors dropped all charges against Oscar Adams, the second gunman accused of murdering pregnant Ashley Harris, 19, in front of Club Choices in March of 2006.

A fire this morning in in the 1900 block of Edmondson Avenue may have been arson.

"Body Mystery In Bel Air"

Free to work 14 hours on Tuesday? You can make $150 as an election judge! <- opens .pdf

Editorials: Rodricks bitches about jury duty.

February 9

Emmanuel M. Bryant of Lansdowne was murdered in the Southwestern on Thursday afternoon.

"Turner was Stephen's world." Then maybe he shouldn't have, you know, thrown him into the damned river. (Allegedly, of course.)

Annapolis police released a sketch of a suspect in January's double murder, but the Sun didn't run it.

The kids are talking about Nick Browning on Facebook. Meanwhile the Sun's Julie Scharper and Justin Fenton report on the (alleged) motive:

"He told police that he was upset that his father forced him to attend a Boy Scout camp in Western Maryland, where the Browning family had a vacation home and frequently spent weekends. A week away from his 16th birthday, he also resented that his father told him he could not immediately use a Ford Expedition that was to be a present, a source with knowledge of the investigation said."

The music director of Sheila D's church was charged with raping a 13-year-old churchgoer.

A woman in Annapolis has been charged with pimping out her 16-year-old daughter for money and crack.

The Original Steakhouse and Sports Theater in Parkville is holding a fundraiser for the Griffin family on Monday.

"Two Farmers Convicted and Sentenced for Causing the Deaths of Three Bald Eagles and a Great Horned Owl"

A Year for Doobage

.. technically, anyway:

In a 20-minute hearing today on a defense motion to quash a 20-year-old bench warrant for failing to appear in court for sentencing on a decades old marijuana charge, the Honorable John N. Prevas sentenced Britt D. Glenn, 42, of California to one year in prison for possession of marijuana. The court continued his pending assault case for a hearing on March 17.

The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland ruled in 1986 that Britt was entitled to a new trial following a conviction for assault with intent to murder. At that time, he was also convicted, but never sentenced on the marijuana charge and never appeared for trial on the assault charge following the Court’s ruling. Judge Milton Allen issued a bench warrant when he failed to appear.

At the hearing today, prosecutors noted that Glenn has been a fugitive from justice for over 20 years and had not been sentenced for the marijuana conviction and was out on bond at the time the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland ruled in 1986. Mark Cohen, Homicide Chief, prosecuted today’s hearing.

February 8

Police are investigating the shooting death of Kamia Hair, 25, found in the 1800 block of Bolton Street by her son.

Children "in Baltimore are eight times more likely to die from homicides as children nationwide or in Maryland as a whole," and twice as likely to die of injuries.

Related: Julie B. interviews the self-described "most kindest person in the world," methadone-murder mom Vernice "Peaches" Harris.

Phillip Queen was arrested Wednesday in the death of three-year-old Jabari Stocks last June.

Charming funeral director robbed grieving families, got 4 1/2 years in federal pokey.

Three men and a woman were arrested last night during a raid in the McCulloh Homes in West Baltimore and have been charged with multiple drug violations.

Examineratorial: student protests a waste of time

Life + 20 for Killer of Mark Jones

Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Raymond Handy, 37, of the 500 block of East 30th St. to life in prison for first-degree murder, plus 20 years consecutive for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. A city jury convicted Handy December 13, 2007. This sentence will be served consecutive to a 14-year sentence Themelis handed down today for a violation of probation. Handy pleaded guilty June 13, 2002 to CDS possession with intent to manufacture in which 15 years was originally suspended. Details:

On May 1, 2005 at approximately 1:20 p.m. officers responded to the 2900 block of Greenmount Avenue for a shooting. Mark Jones, 40, was found shot and was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses identified Handy as the shooter.

The victim was one of 18 siblings, and a member of a close knit, church-going family, many of whom were in the courtroom for the sentencing. Three members of the victim’s family, including his mother, gave victim impact statements. The defendant had been lifelong friends with the victim, and grew up with the victim’s family.

Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Shaffer of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 5

Tony-T, Shine, Orlando, and Flavor are back to review episode 5 of The Wire. Today, they discuss black serial killers and The Coin.

February 7

A 16-year-old City College student was abuducted and raped in a vacant house in Waverly while she was waiting for a safe and reliable MTA bus.

Turner Nelson's mother doesn't believe the boy's father, who is in a coma after a suicide attempt, could have thrown the boy into the Patapsco River. She believes Turner will reappear.

Nicholas Browning's guardians have retained Joshua R. Treem, Lee Boyd Malvo's defense attorney. Meanwhile, a few people who knew Nicholas are saying he wasn't such a great guy after all.

Olesker talks to the Brownings' pastor.

The beating of Kishor Kc is depressingly similar to Zach Sowers' beating, but Kc's assailants will probably get off even easier because they're younger.

A whole lotta child abuse in Annapolis.

Robbing and beating and stabbing, oh my!

A man was shot when two men tried to rob him and his girlfriend in his driveway in Severna Park.

Collin Hawkins is facing life for carjacking and gun violations, and still faces charges for shooting BPD Officer Momodu Gondo in 2006.

Two prisoners who stabbed two guards at Maryland House of Correction got... ummm... more prison time.

Edward Lamont Hunt's family hired A. Dwight Pettit to help them figure out how much money they can make because why police shot Hunt.

Beware of "firefighters" bearing your computer.

Murder Concivtion, Indictments

From your hardworking SA's office:

A City jury convicted Ajamilla Longmore, 20, of the 5000 block of Linden Heights Avenue of first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The trial began January 28. Longmore faces a maximum possible prison term of life in prison plus 20 years when sentenced by Judge John C. Themelis on March 6. On December 13, 2006 at 9:38 p.m. Longmore approached Ronald Stewart, 29, while walking in the 4000 block of W. Belvedere Avenue. Longmore then shot Stewart six times. Stewart was pronounced dead on the scene. The jury found co-defendant Ernest Hudson not guilty of first-degree murder. Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Banks of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

The City Grand Jury indicted Tyrone Allsberry, 65, of the 400 block of E 25th Street, for first-degree murder and deadly weapon charges. Court documents allege that on January 12, 2008, Allsberry was responsible for stabbing Willie Clayton Joyner, 18, inside the 25th Street market. Joyner and a friend allegedly was inside the market when Allsberry entered and approached Joyner inquiring about money. He then produced a knife and stabbed Allsberry in the chest. Joyner collapsed and fell to the ground outside the market. He died later at Johns Hopkins Hospital. An arraignment is scheduled for March 10, 2008 before Judge Gale E. Rasin, Room 509 Courthouse East.

The City Grand Jury indicted Joshua Rice, 27, of the 500 block of Yale Avenue for first-degree murder and deadly weapon charges. Court documents allege on December 14, 2006, a match from the DNA database identified Joshua Rice as the person responsible the strangulation death of Jennifer Fishbach in May 2004. Fishbach’s decomposed body was found in a second-floor bedroom in the 1200 block of Bayard Street on May 22, 2004 with a wire coat hanger around her neck. She was identified through fingerprints and DNA. An arraignment is scheduled for March 7, 2008 before Judge Gale E. Rasin, 509 Courthouse East.

February 6

Rod J. Rosenstein today announced a seven-count federal grand jury indictment charging four Baltimore men with the murder of Carl Stanley Lackl on July 2. All four defendants are eligible for the death penalty.

Ink: Three murders this week, 16 so far this year.

Cockysville murder kid Nicholas Browning's aunt was also killed by domestic gunfire.
Like, duh: "Experts said easy access to guns was a common thread in cases where children kill their parents."

MdTA Police are preparing murder charges against Stephen Todd Nelson, 37, who police believe threw his 3-year-old son off the Key Bridge into the Patapsco River on Sunday. Nelson is reportedly in a coma after ingesting household cleaners.

"Baltimore City’s broad and complex parking ticket investigation intensifies"

Algebra Project students arrested, lectured. Teacher: arrests were part of the plan.

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.