June 29

What's up with the way-down murder rate?

Annals of unsmartitude: Baltimore Raven Derrick Martin took his stash to the Cleveland airport.

Rodricks: "Behind drugs, stories of pain"

Life + 20 for Murder of Daniel Savage

From Ms. Burns @ the SA's office:

At a sentencing hearing Friday, June 27, Judge Lynn Stewart sentenced Alton Teel, 44, of the 3700 block of Bonview Ave. to life in prison and a consecutive 20-year sentence for a handgun charge. The sentence will run consecutive to any sentence Teel receives following a violation of probation hearing that is pending.

A Baltimore jury convicted Teel on April 14, 2008 of first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

On February 21, 2007 Teel fired five shots from a .22 - caliber handgun that killed Daniel Savage, 32, in the 1500 block of N. Bradford St. over a drug dispute.

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

odd that the SA's office sent out a press release on a Sunday!

Hamm's Stepdaughter Murdered

Nicole Sesker, 38, former police commissioner Leonard Hamm's stepdaughter, was found strangled to death in West Baltimore. Here's a link to the 2005 NYT story about her.
She was the second prostitute to be killed in the city this week.

June 27

A woman was shot yesterday afternoon in Park Heights, a man was shot Wednesday night on N. Broadway, and a man was cut as he tried to break up a catfight on Tuesday morning.

An AAC cop claims he got demoted and ridiculed because he reported a crazy-ass stalker co-worker.

Wow. Young men with guns kill each other. Who'd'a thought?

Not a lot of crime in today's news, but there's a whole lot of punishment.

44-year-old Dundalk perv Scott Carpenter got five years for kiddie porn.

Convicted felon Michael Martin got 15+ years for having guns and crack.

Remington arsonist/dealer Eric Robinson got 12 years in the slammer and has to pay restitution of $175,000.

Mohammad Ijaz got four years for bribing Immigration officials for green cards.

Ronald McConnell was indicted in the May 17 fatal shooting of Jason Batts in Columbia's Oakland Mills neighborhood.

June 26

Woodlawn apartment manager Milton John Barnes III might have gotten killed for trying to make his complex a better place to live.

Remains that might be human were found near Rocks State Park in HarCo.

A woman who claims she was sexually assaulted while receiving dialysis has come forward because it's been a year since she filed charges and nobody has been arrested.

Police are seeking McClayton Daniels for possible involvement in seven burglaries.

Fashion thieves are running amok in the Blotter.

16-year-old Damon Simpson pleaded guilty and got 15 years for fatally shooting Charles Hargrove last year.

Raul Garcia got two years for selling guns in the can at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington.

Thanks to everyone who tried to intelligify me on the Sheila D. case in the comments a few days ago. I particularly liked Mr. Meph's

Martin O' worries
Bobby Haircut's comeback near
Does Sheila have dirt?

and Betsy's

Dixon is corrupt as her environment; getting the big picture means dismantling Maryland’s political elite, so the investigation focuses on mink coats.

That's my kind of cynicism! Meanwhile, today's articles on the big Dixon include Sheila getting mad, Sheila getting honest, Sheila getting gifts, Sheila being a survivor, Sheila being not totally aware, and Sheila's money getting linked.

Requiescat in pace, Amanda Marie Bishop

Blogger AngerHangover has identified murder victim #101 as Amanda Marie Bishop, age 22.

June 25

No time for a proper post today, so please add articles to the comments. A few quick ones, though: Annie Linskey wrote a story about the Druid Heights neighborhood where two murders occurred on the same block, and don't forget to read about nine (!) murders in this week's Ink. (Also, don't forget Murders Revisited, which I again forgot to link to last Friday.)

More on the 14th police-involved shooting of the year, that of armed & retarded Bryant Worrell.

The Supreme Court has struck down a Louisiana law that allows the execution of people convicted of raping a child. In a 5-4 vote, the court said the law allowing the death penalty to be imposed in cases of child rape violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Here's the answer to the question, "would such-and-such murders get so much media coverage if they happened in a different neighborhood?" Annie Linskey points out that Druid Heights also had two fatal shootings on the same block, and also had a community meeting of freaked-out residents. (And the story has a typo. Would that apostrophe have been misused if it was in a story about Federal Hill?)

June 24

The year's latest murder victim is a 41-year-old man who was killed at 2:30 this morning in the 1700 block of Abbotston Rd., just down the street from Clifton Park. Gus Sentementes reports that this is the fourth killing in CHUM this year, compared to five for all of last year.

There are a bunch of stories on the killings that occurred over the weekend. Well, there are a ton of stories on the two murders in Federal Hill, there's a story and some photos about the two murders on Bloom St. (and the Federal Hill murders), and everybody has already forgotten about the lady who got slaughtered in Pigtown and Marcus Caldwell, the young man who was found by his mother. (Although it's bass-ackwards to praise a newspaper for not covering the news, kudos to the Examiner for not jumping on the Federal Hill bandwagon. I'd much rather read Luke B.'s end-of-month murder summaries than a bunch of hysteria over 2% of the city's murders.)

Something seems very, very wrong with this headline: "Killer may face return to prison." (Something seems very, very wrong with Christopher O'Brien, too, if you ask me.)

Honestly, this whole Sheila D. mess is really confusing to me, so I'm going to wallow in my ignorance and skip the latest batch of articles. Here are some links, though, so you can read up. If you can explain it to me in 25 words or less, that'd kick ass. The Sun, the Examiner, WJZ, WBAL, WMAR, and another one from the Sun.

Since Kevin Johns is too dangerous for the crazy prison, he's staying at Supermax. So let's have a Baltimore Crime contest. Where do you think Kevin Johns should be sent? And c'mon, be creative. "Put him down like the rabid dog he is." Blah, blah, blah, heard it before. Let's have some Tuesday morning fun. I propose that the state sell him to the guys who made those stupid Saw movies and he can work as a "violence consultant."

From your friendly SA's office:
A Baltimore City jury convicted Randy Golden, 19, of the 3600 block of St. Victor Street today of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, wear/carry/transport a handgun. The jury deliberated approximately two hours before reaching its verdict. Judge Timothy J. Doory scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2008 at which time Golden faces a maximum possible prison term of life plus 23 years. Details:

On January 9, 2007 at 12:00PM in the 600 block of Washburn Avenue Golden shot his ex-girlfriend, Melissa Stefanski, once in the back of the head. The shooting took place in broad daylight in the middle of the street. Witnesses testified that two days before the shooting, Golden warned three different people, including the victim’s sisters, that he intended to kill Stefanski. The State asserted that the motive for the shooting was that Stefanski began selling drugs for the Crips, a rival gang of the Bloods, of which Golden is a member. Stefanski’s new boyfriend was also a Crip.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Lisa Phelps of the Homicide Division and Brandis Marsh of the Narcotics Division prosecuted this case.

June 23

Ugh. Five murders since Friday. Let's see if I can sort it out.

• On Friday night, Keyva Bluitt was shot inside a blue Toyota then pushed out of the car in the 800 block of Battery Ave. in Federal Hill.
• Marcus Caldwell's mom found her son's body in the driver's seat of a minivan early Sunday morning in the 3200 block of Sequoia Ave.
• The body of a tattooed white woman was found by a Pigtown jogger just after noon on Sunday in the 1300 block of Nanticoke St. Police are asking the public to help ID the woman.
• An un-ID'd man was fatally shot at 8:30 last night in the 500 block of Bloom St. It's the second murder on that block in three days: 21-year-old Brian Goodwin was killed there on Thursday night.
• Around the corner from where Bluitt was killed on Friday night, a un-ID'd man was shot to death just after closing time on Sunday morning. Residents reported gunshots, but nobody found the body until a jogger stumbled across it (not literally, I hope) at about 5am on Sunday.

The whole second page of the Sun's article is devoted to the two Federal Hill killings and their effect on the neighborhood's residents.

Luke B.'s Examiner article on the Federal Hill murders includes a charming quote from Federal Hill's City Council Member William Cole IV: "One murder is shocking. Two is beyond shocking." Hey, Cole, if you think that's shocking, you should try paying attention to what happens to your constituents around North Ave. or Franklin St.!

The accusations against the BPD from Bryant Worrell's family continue: "They don’t want anybody seeing him because they’re covering up something. This makes you hate police, it makes you not want to trust them."

Holy Pulitzer, Batman! The Sun ran a follow-up story on Milton John Barnes III, the Woodlawn apartment manager who is still in critical condition after being shot on Thursday morning. The article doesn't say much more than that, but police do need information if you happen to have any.

The second teenage escapee from the "secure" Victor Cullen Center was captured Friday a few blocks west of the Avenue in Hampden.

Two perverts got some federal time: Frank Pierce Young, age 78, got 3 months; William Lee Burdette, Jr., aka "HornyMDOlderguy," got more than 11 years.

Apparently, churches and zoos are good targets for theft.

We're up to 102

... reports WBAL, though that's still 45 fewer murders than this time last year.
Two victims were in Federal Hill, one of them was Keyva Bluitt, 35, dumped on Battery Ave.
Another was 23-year-old Marcus Caldwell, found last night dead in a minivan.
Still trying to figure out who the others were; some victims were probably fatalities from last week's 22 shootings. Fortunately Ditkoff's on it!
.. and apparently it's the waning gibbous moon that makes death come ...

Are Bullets on Sale?

Colin at Spotcrime.com reports an incredible 22 shootings in the area in the past 7 days!

June 20

32-year-old Donta Gregory was shot and killed on a Remington street corner last night. According to yesterday's comments, Gregory "had an extensive rap sheet and was a defendant in six paternity cases." I don't know whether or not that's true, but if it's on the World Wide Internets, it's good enough for me! (Thanks, Mr. Meph.)

The same link above lists two other shootings last night, both non-fatal (so far). Also, the manager of an apartment complex in Woodlawn was shot yesterday morning and is in critical condition.

A BPD officer was taken to Shock Trauma early this morning after being involved in "some sort of altercation." Now, would somebody please nominate WMAR for a Murrow award, because that's some damned fine investigative reporting.

Two motorcyclists died at the Holabird exit off of I-95 in Dundalk in Sunday. Never mind that they were going way too fast, not pulling over for police, and one of them was riding a stolen bike; the family says it's the cops' fault that they died. (Thanks, ppatin.)

More on the sword attack in Middle River.

The under-18 crowd is going to have a rude awakening when they're hanging out at 2:00am.

June 19

A woman who is pregnant with twins was shot in a car on N. Mount St. on Tuesday night when a gunman fired at her boyfriend and missed. Also in today's Blotter, a 44-year-old man got whacked on the head after trying to steal some heroin from a teenage dealer.

Bryant Worrell's family continues to dispute the BPD's story of why Worrell was killed in a police-involved shooting.

Murder victim #95 was identified as 18-year old Ronnie Ware Jr.

There was a home invasion / sword attack on Oak Grove Dr. in Baltimore County this morning.

Can you spot the contradiction in this sentence? "Police were searching yesterday for a 16-year-old Baltimore boy who, along with a 14-year-old, escaped Monday night from Victor Cullen Center, a secure facility for juvenile delinquents in Western Maryland."

So is anyone actually surprised that a dude who tracks Bigfoot was busted for drugs?

Seven city staffers subpoenaed in suspected Sheila scandal, and Dan decides Dixon's dilemma is due to dumb decisions. (Yeah. You try coming up with witty one-liners about the news without resorting to cheap literary tricks. I double dog dare you.)

Of course, there are other stories about Her [Dis]Honor: Examiner, WJZ, WBAL, and MAR's complete coverage of Sheila D..

One of the boys who broke into Calverton Elementary/Middle School last month admitted to assaulting a teacher who was putting in some overtime hours.

Hey! Look! A task force! This one's on prison violence! Shit's totally gonna change now, because nobody fucks with a task force... NOBODY.

afternoon update: a floater, a murderous transvestite and even more shootings

More shootings? Two new incidents in the county!
"Three men were wounded when gunfire broke out about 11:20 p.m. at a backyard cookout in the 7400 block of Lexham Court near Woodlawn" and "One man was wounded when two men approached him about 10:45 p.m. while he was on the porch of a house in the 1900 block of Mountain Ave. near Parkville."

Ew, a body was found a-floating by Rikki Spector's condo.

County police are looking for a transvestite who robbed the Budget Liquors and shot a customer.

A murder charge against some guy was reduced to a handgun violation, but the story is so confusing I don't have time to untangle the details- is Haskins the 22-year-old guy? So two guys confessed to the same murder? My head hurts.

Judge to Kevin Clark: "no"

Hey, Ed Norris has podcasts now! You can hear Ed call Marty Burns a "dumb bitch" at your leisure!

June 18

23-year-old Sandy Howard was fatally shot as she drove in the 4100 block of Mariban Ct. in Brooklyn. Her passenger and a bystander who was sitting on the back porch were both injured.

An unidentified man was shot repeatedly and killed last night on the corner of Clifton Ave. and N. Monroe St.

Today's Ink covers nine murders, including the first mention I've seen of an unidentified woman whose body was found in a Hampden apartment on Buena Vista Ave. She was originally thought to be an overdose victim, but the ME determined that she was strangled.

Oops. I forgot to link to last week's Murders Revisited column. Charges were dropped against the kid who had been charged with killing Jennifer Morelock (who was pregnant) and Jason Woycio, then sending a text that read "I killed 2 white people around my way 2day & 1 of them was a woman." Boyfriend stabber Antoinette White wasn't so lucky.

The man killed Friday morning on Brighton St. has been ID'd as 30-year-old Samuel Bobrow, and Herlinda Rodolfo is being held at Central Booking after being extradited from San Antonio and charged with the murder of Valerie Barnes.

The Sun perfectly captures how utterly useless our mayor and media can be: "Target of raid goes to gym, investigators gather evidence, press clutters lawns." Other stories on Sheila D's investigation from the Sun, the Examiner, WJZ, and WBAL. Meanwhile, Mary Pat says "Leave the mayor alone!"

Margaret Burns apologized by phone and by email, and she still claims that Melody Simmons misrepresented her. Was her apology enough?

Murder #93

An unidentified woman was shot to death in a Toyota in the 4100 block of Meriban Court in Brooklyn.

Whoa Nelly!

Investigators with the State Prosecutor's Office searched the Mayor's house this morning!
(thanks Yeti)

Sleazy and Shameless!

Adam Meister blogs on an ethics complaint against Councilwoman Rikki Spector. A week ago, Spector cast the deciding vote in favor of HarborView's developer in favor of their controversial water-blocking tower-building plan. Turns out, not only does Spector not live in the Northeast district that she supposedly represents, but she's shacked up with her boyfriend at the HarborView condos in a one-bedroom unit that she's the right to live in until she dies, at no charge!

Wonder if anyone ever found that vanishing traffic ticket of hers?

June 17

Listen up, thugs and robbers and aspiring Al Capones, because I'm gonna give you some kickass advice: the cops have better aim than you do. They do crazy stuff like going to the shooting range and cleaning their guns. So next time you're fighting with one of your pals on the corner of N. Robinson St. and E. Baltimore St. and the cops show up and tell you to drop your gun, just do what they say. Of course, my advice is a little late for this guy. Sorry. I'll try to post it earlier next time.

Holy smokes, there are a lot of dead people in this article. The two men who were killed in the triple shooting on Shamrock Ave. on Saturday morning were 23-year-old Bryant Price and 22-year-old Justin N. Amis. The man found on Hamilton Ave. died of a single stab wound to his head, and it appears that his death has been ruled a homicide. The two teenagers killed on June 12 at a park on Moreland Ave. were ID'd as Djuan Anderson and Darrius Harrison. The man killed in a car on June 3 was 33-year-old Tyrone H. Wells.

In the same link above, a yet-to-be-ID'd guy was shot in the 3100 block of Brighton St. early Friday morning and died a few hours later at Shock Trauma. I don't recall hearing about that in yesterday's recap of the weekend's shootings. That's the beauty of Baltimore, I guess: there are always more shootings than you hear about.

Speaking of shootings, the Blotter has a bunch of 'em from Sunday. On Sunday night, a woman was shot on her porch on N. Pulaski. On Sunday afternoon, a 69-year-old man was almost robbed; he was shot at repeatedly as he ran away, and his sweet ride was hit at least once. And early on Sunday morning, a man was gutshot in Hampden.

Don't worry, the counties won't be left out of all the gun fun. In HarCo, failed murder victim Gary Dashawn Davenport became a successful alleged murderer, and Orlando Antoine Foote Jr. is accused of shooting at an Annapolis cabbie last month.

Six horny AAC men didn't get their 20 dollar love earlier this month. There was also a woman busted in the sting, but the article doesn't clarify whether she was a hooker or a hookee.

I love it when I misread headlines. I totally thought MoCo's water supply was cut due to the Rapture.

"Baltimore police found a man with two gunshot wounds early this morning in front of a home near Lake Ashburton, in Northwest Baltimore."

40 Years for Erik Stoddard

... for the murder of three-year-old Calen Faith DiRubbo.
Stoddard was convicted and sentenced twice before, this was his third trial.
Here's more links on that epic case.

From ZachSowers.com

Okay, here's a post that Anna Sowers put up today. I'm just going to copy and paste the whole thing here, because I'm plagiaristic like that. Also because there's nothing I could add that Anna didn't say already.

For those of you who don't find Jessamy and Co. to be a group of shining stars, here's your chance to speak up in a very focused way.

I will accept nothing less than a public apology from Margaret Burns and Patricia Jessamy. In addition to the public apology, Mrs. Burns must publicly retract the statements she made to Exhibit A.

A reporter who spoke to Ms. Burns last week said that she will be sending me a letter of apology. I don't want a stupid letter. I want a PUBLIC apology and retraction. Burns said in the Baltimore Sun article that she was misrepresented. Well then, explain why. I'm not going to let this be something that just blows over.

Zach Supporters, you all have to continue to help me keep pressure on Jessamy's office. Thank you all so much for your help thus far! Burns cannot get away with stating these things. She has undermined me (especially in my quest for Zach's Law) and hurt Zach's family, friends and supporters everywhere. Like I said before, she can very candidly come out and explain why she thought Zach looked like "a sleeping baby," why she stated that he "probably injured something in the fall or he had a pre-existing condition. There was no evidence of the vicious beating, no evidence of stomping" Explain it all Ms. Burns!! The whole city is waiting for you!

I called Ms. Burns's office and cell number on Thursday morning. I emailed her on Thursday night. It is now Monday morning and I have heard nothing. A close family member actually got through to Ms. Burns on Thursday and when asked if she saw Zach, her answer was obviously NO, and when asked why she said what she said, her answer was mostly "I don't know." And then she claimed that she made those comments based on the information she received from Mrs. Jessamy. She seemed quick to point the finger at Mrs. Jessamy. Well then, Margaret Burns and Patricia Jessamy can both publicly apologize and retract the statements.

We're all waiting.

There's also a detailed story on the case and aftermath at the Urbanite Magazine site. And Adam Meister continues to be riled.

John Paul Newcomb Indicted for Arson

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted John Paul Newcomb, 49, of the 3800 block of Pinewood Avenue for three counts of arson, malicious burning and reckless endangerment.
Court documents allege that between November 17, 2006 through December 26, 2007, Newcomb is responsible for setting fire to several houses in the Rosemont Community of Baltimore City. An arraignment is scheduled for July 11, 2008 before Judge Michel W. Pierson, Room 329, Courthouse East.

June 16

Damn. A guy takes a coupl'a days off from reading the news, and he comes back to find the air filled with more bullets than mosquitoes. So here's what I can put together. It's a bit repetitive from what MJB already posted, but for what y'all pay me, you can suck it up and deal with reading the same link twice. So there.

(Colin of Spotcrime.com has helpfully mapped all of those shootings, see right -- MJB)

On Friday night, we had nine shootings in less than five hours. Two of those were fatal.

On Saturday morning, some dude was found on Hamilton Ave. with a bullet hole somewhere in his body. He's not being called a murder victim yet.

A few hours before that, a robber shot himself in the leg as he was trying to rob someone in the 400 block of E. 33rd St. (Heh. That's pretty funny, actually. Too bad more of our robbers don't do that.)

Early Sunday morning, a man and woman were shot after a fight at the Rush Hour Bar & Grill on Liberty Rd., and police are seeking someone who looks like something.

Father's Day went to shit yesterday when papa went all Marvin Gaye Sr. on his growed-up boy in Carney.

Early this morning, a man was shot twice in the 3000 block of Denison St. near Lake Ashburton. He's being treated at Sinai, in case you want to send flowers or a little cuddly teddy bear or something.

Okay, I think that takes care of the shootings. On to other news.

Naham Perry, a cop at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, has been charged with getting his perv on with a 15-year-old girl. It's the second time he's been charged with being unable to control himself around young teenage girls.

Two cold cases in Baltimore County were ruled as homicides. One case involves the strangulation of 18-year-old Joyce Rein in 1975, and the other is for the strangulation of 23-year-old Natalie Williams in 1982. Both women can be linked to convicted murderer Harold Houndshell, who would be charged in their deaths if he hadn't died in 1999.

More on the HoCo PD shooting in Jessup in April, including the fact that the second teen who was shot also might not be charged with any criminal activity.

If they shut down vital bus lines in AAC because they're too violent, can they just shut down the entire city of Baltimore for the same reason?

Two baggage handlers for AirTran at BWI have been charged with stealing people's luggage.

Sad: An investigation into the death of Jarrell Gray of Frederick found that he was not wearing a hearing aid when he was Tasered for not following the commands of a sheriff’s deputy.

This just in: eating at lyin'-ass Applebee's will make you 6% fatter than you'd planned on being.

A Very Violent Weekend

... and it's only Sunday morning!
At least nine people were shot over 4 1/2 hours from Friday night to Saturday morning, and at least two are dead.
A suspiciously dead male body was also found in Hamilton.
The Sun quotes the Mayor: "You hate to associate the moon, but sometimes when it is a full moon, it seems to get crazier."

and in Carney, a man shotgunned his son to death.
Happy Fathers' Day!

Two people were shot outside of the Rush Hour Bar & Grill on Liberty Road in Randallstown.

Ocean City police are ISO one Omil Milfort, right, who's wanted for a stabbing a Pennsylvanian at 16th and Baltimore Streets.

Happy Flag Day

Controversy continues over Margaret Burns' bizarre "sleeping baby" remark. Burns called the article a "misrepresentation;" the reporter stands by the quote.
Meanwhile, Adam Meister blogs about PCJ's salary.

Plumber George Thompson (allegedly) to hired killer: you can beat my ex to death with this brick!

The city's Health Department has some events going on related to the Safe Streets program.

Taurean Philip Williams, 18, and Timothy Patrick Williams, 20, were shot in Edgewood, HarfCo.

Tim Russert is Dead!

Tim Russert is dead!
That sucks!!
Why couldn't it have been John Gibson or Sean Hannity?!

June 13

Annie wrote a mighty good story on Harry Goodman, the man who shot a robber in his Charles Village dry cleaner shop.

The man who was killed on Bonner Rd. on Monday has been ID'd as Kenneth Cooper Jones. Also in the Blotter, an armed banana thief and his woman are on the loose on the Southeastern.

Jeanine Alice Blackwell, the mother who allegedly drowned her newborn baby in a West Baltimore toilet, is already at Jessup and will be hit with murder, child abuse, and drug charges.

The Annapolis mother who pimped out her 16-year-old daughter got... uh... well, she didn't really get shit, now did she?

A burning man was found behind a house in North Baltimore this morning.

Nakita McDaniels is goin' to juvie.

One of the two little kids who were shot during a drive-by at a West Baltimore apartment complex has been released from the hospital. Lucky guy, now he gets to go back to the West Baltimore apartment complex where gang members shoot at little kids.

One of the teenagers who was shot by HoCo police during a Jessup drug sting won't be charged with any crimes.

Damned peace lovin' hippies and their stupid peaceful protests. Forcing the state to do all that pesky surveillance.

When you read the headline "Fox Tests Positive for Rabies" on the WJZ web site, do you think they're referring to a cute animal or to a competitor?

quick, dirty and with lots of exclamation points!!!!

Four murders reported today: three men and a baby!
Number four is a man found dead near Gwynns Falls Park who may have been the victim of a kidnapping.

Chillage cleaner shoots knife-wielding bandit!

Knife-wielding 7-year-old stabs 11-year-old!
Car service driver shot!

A local busybody is trying to clean up the block I fled two years ago on account of filth and hooliganism. You're a bigger woman than I, Joy Sushinsky!

"Are you concerned about juvenile crime in your community? Do you wish there was something you could do that might save a young person from a life of crime? Are you a busy lawyer short on time?" Then Teen Court needs you!

National:
"The number of people under supervision in the nation's criminal justice system rose to 7.2 million in 2006, the highest ever."

Federal porn trial compromised by judge's dirty web site!
... isn't jury duty unpleasant enough without having to watch six hours of people boning poodles and pooping on each other?

June 12

Bah. Another day in which I cannot post. Please put any news in the comments, and hopefully MJB or I will get a proper post up later today.

I'll get y'all started with a murder or three before I leave. There was a double killing at about 3:00 a.m. in Easterwood Park in the 1500 block of Moreland Ave. Two adult males, no ID's yet.

And in one of the most tragic stories in at least a week or two (and no, I'm not being sarcastic, that's just how fucking depressing it is to follow the news in this city), a woman who claims she didn't know she was pregnant drowned her approximately 32-week-old baby in a toilet in West Baltimore. The baby had air in his lungs, meaning he took at least one breath, so "mommy" is getting arrested and charged with (I presume) murder.

Okay, it's all on you guys. Go scour the media and tell us what you find.

June 11

CP's Edward Ericson Jr.: Jose Morales has served very little time in the hoosegow in spite of being arrested more than 30 times, convicted of five felonies and facing accusations of theft, domestic assault, drugs, attempted murder, identity theft, a baseball bat attack, burning an SUV, bad checks, unlicensed contracting, a link to murder #42 and gross and willful hair gel violations.

Two shootings in the Blotter: " A man, 28, was shot about 1 a.m. yesterday while standing with several other men on a front porch in the 3000 block of Spaulding Ave." and "An 18-year-old man was standing in the 300 block of S. Addison St., near South Fulton and Wilkens avenues, about 12:20 a.m. yesterday when a gunman shot him in the upper right leg." and WTF is this about?:

Police were seeking a man who used a sledge hammer to shatter the driver-side window of a Ford pickup truck parked in the 900 block of N. Collington Ave. about 2:40 a.m. Monday and attempted to hit the 56-year-old male occupant. ... About two hours later, the same man attacked a woman with his fists and a baseball bat near the scene of the first incident.

Two perps, Kinlaw "Baby Boy" Jones, 19, and Erica Ammenhauser, 21, pleaded guilty to an attack on Marine reservist Michael LaMaris Simms, 18.

The two- and three-year-old children shot on Monday are recovering at Hopkins.
(nitpicky peeve: "toddlers" are 12-24 months of age)

Former rape suspect Chaz Ricks, right, may have been cleared of the Roland Park home invasion and rape, but he's going to face trial for a robbery and sex offense in the county that he confessed to city detectives during questioning down here.

More on the bust of Phillip Robinson Winkfield, son of a federal judge who may soon be getting a different kind of Federal Express package.

McDonogh Eagle Lewin Powell III, 16, was indicted for killing his mother, Donna Campbell-Powell. He's charged as an adult.

It's Wednesday, so don't forget to read the Ink!

"Four Prince George's County youths, ages 14 and 15, have been charged with first-degree murder after they 'laid in wait' for a 56-year-old man, knocked him to the ground and kicked him so viciously that he died two days later."

El Jizz: "when fire swept through [Keith] McMahon's Greenspring Valley home in January, most people called it a tragic loss, until federal alcohol, tobacco, and fire arms agents took a closer look."

... and now, "12 nude, middle aged, mostly out of shape, jewish men, discreetly covered by cats!"

Sticky Weeditorial

I'm shocked and saddened, as the politicians like to say, to find out that one of my good friends has been arrested for marijuanica!
A month ago I wrote, "one upside to living in the city, law enforcement is too busy with actual crimes" to put its scare resources towards busting nonviolent drug offenders.
Boy was I wrong! Maryland has one of the highest marijuana arrest rates in the country, and the city has a higher arrest rate than HoCo!

Here's a link for galt who (I suspect) will say we need to enforce all of our laws even if they're stupid. I disagree. This is nothing but a tragic waste for everyone involved. This guy had no weapons, no white drugs, no prior arrests.
This state needs to end costly, wasteful and pointless marijuana prohibition and put its resources towards keeping us safe from violent criminals!

10 Years for Murder of Azerwoine Walker

Kennis Lambert, 18, of the 6200 block of Alumure Way plead guilty to second-degree murder of Azerwoine Walker.

Lambert pleaded guilty to the following facts of the case:

On April 29, 2007 at or around the 6200 Block of Elliott Street in Baltimore MD; the victim, Azerwoine Walker, was walking with his cousin when they were approached from behind by Kennis Lambert, and another individual. An argument ensued and at some point during the verbal argument a gun was drawn by Lambert and the victim was shot eight times. The victim’s cousin identified Lambert as the shooter date April 29, 2007 in a photo array, but subsequently changed his story and said he was not sure who the shooter was. Another witness did not see the shooting but was able to identify Lambert as having a gun and walking in the direction of the 6200 block of Elliott Street moments prior to the incident.

Lambert was sentenced before Judge Heard to 20 years with all but 10 years suspended and 3 years of probation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Richard Gibson.

20 Years for Hair-ron

Judge John Prevas today sentenced Lance Gorham, 25, of the 100 block of North Kenwood Avenue to 20 years at the Department of Corrections following a guilty conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to distribute heroin.

The jury convicted Gorham based on the following facts of the case:

On May 26, 2006 at 2:15p.m., a Detective in a covert location in the 900 block of North Caroline Street observed two juveniles and an adult woman accepting money in exchange for suspected CDS. Lance Gorham was observed accepting money from the three sellers. Gorham left the area and returned approximately 30 minutes later and handed the three suspected CDS. Gorham then walked to a nearby vacant yard and placed suspected CDS under a porch, then left the area in a car. Officers then stopped the car and arrested Gorham and recovered Controlled Dangerous Substance from the three sellers and the CDS from under the porch. The total amount of controlled dangerous substance recovered were 75 pieces of heroin and 21 pieces of cocaine.

Since Gorham was also on probation at the time of the arrest, a violation of parole hearing is scheduled for July 24, 2008. Assistant State's Attorney Jerry E. Jones of the Narcotics Division prosecuted this case.

11 Years for Coked-Up Hit and Run

Judge John Themelis sentenced Steven Norwood, 32, of the 1600 block of Moreland Avenue, to 11 years in prison following a plea agreement. Judge Themelis sentenced Norwood to 10 years for possession with intent to distribute and 1 year for hit & run bodily injury and ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

Norwood plead to the following facts of the case:

On October 2, 2007 at approximately 10:45 p.m., Detectives observed a black 2-door Acura matching the description of a vehicle used in a homicide in the 1700 block of Pulaski Street. Later they observed the same vehicle stopped in the middle of the street at the intersection of Pulaski and Presbury Streets. Detectives executed a traffic stop and the defendant presented his driver’s license to Detectives while attempting to stuff an object into the center console of the vehicle. Detectives asked the defendant to exit his vehicle. The defendant placed the vehicle into reverse striking the detective’s vehicle and one of the detectives present at the scene. The detective suffered no injuries.

The defendant then fled in his vehicle and the detectives followed reaching speeds of 70 mph in a residential area with a 25 m.p.h. speed limit. The defendant then ran a stop sign at Presbury and Bentalou Streets and collided with a vehicle driven by Melvin Horton and occupied by the front passenger Richard Jones. Both victims were transported to Shock Trauma. Horton suffered a fractured pelvis, lacerated liver, punctured lung, fractured ribs, and traumatic head injury. Jones suffered a laceration to the left hip and bruises. Horton stopped breathing briefly but was immediately revived by Jones the passenger -- Horton’s friend of more than 10 years. Both vehicles were totaled.

The defendant fled on foot immediately after the accident and was caught and arrested moments later. Detectives recovered 123.7 grams of cocaine from the defendant. Upon returning to the defendant’s vehicle, detectives recovered 124.8 grams of cocaine from the front floor of the defendant’s vehicle and $13,795 cash from the trunk. A search of the defendant’s house located 2 blocks from where the defendant was arrested revealed packaging material including a capper, quinine and mannitol. Also recovered from the defendant’s house was $12,255 cash. The street value of the cocaine was approximately $12,000.

Assistant State's Attorney Jerry E. Jones, of the Narcotics Division, prosecuted this case.

Quinine? Isn't that for treating malaria?

Four Burglaries on Guilford Avenue

A mini-crime wave on Guilford Avenue in Charles Village: 3037, 3040, 3042 and 3028 were all burgled between 3 and 5 a.m. yesterday morning; electronics and jewelry were stolen.

thanks Spotcrime!

15 Years for Drawing a Death Bath

From your SA's office:

Today Judge Lynn K. Stewart sentenced Tiffany Natasha Brown, 22, of the 1400 block of N. Dukeland St. to 30 years in prison suspend all but 15 years for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and a concurrent 15-years for robbery. Brown pleaded guilty August 21, 2007 for her role in the murder of Donald Russell.

Brown helped tie up and bind the victim before he was killed. She then drew the bath water that the victim was drowned in. Once he was killed by co-defendant Octavius Savage, Brown helped drag the body downstairs and accompanied Savage to a local Wal-Mart where they bought the supplies to dispose/hide the body.

A Baltimore City Jury convicted Octavius Savage April 10, 2008 of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, first and second-degree assault and conspiracy to commit robbery. Judge John N. Prevas sentenced Savage May 19, 2008 to life plus 30-years for conspiracy to commit murder and the second-degree murder of Donald Raymond Russell.

Savage murdered Donald Raymond Russell, 64, between April 30 and May 3, 2006 at Mr. Russell's residence in the 1400 block of N. Dukeland Street. Evidence introduced at trial showed that Savage shared a house with Russell. Russell’s partial remains were found in Waldorf, Maryland.

Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Felsen of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

June 10

A 2-year-old and a 3-year-old were shot while they were playing in a wading pool at an apartment complex in West Baltimore. Brent Jones quoted a witness who asked a mighty fine question: "It was a whole lot of shots. I didn't think it would ever stop. There was nobody out here but women and children. Why would you shoot at little kids?"

A 63-year-old BWI cabbie, Aston Beadle, was shot on his Windsor Mill doorstep after finishing a shift last week. Police and Beadle's fellow drivers are hoping a witness will come forward with some useful information. Beadle is in stable condition at Shock Trauma. (Thanks for the correction, ppatin.)

A Fredneck is dead after shooting at(?) a woman and her two kids who were in his house, barricading himself indoors, then threatening police with a knife.

Two shootings: an 18-year-old was shot just after midnight on S. Addison St., and a 28-year-old was shot at 1:00 a.m. while he was sitting with friends on a porch in the 3000 block of Spaulding Ave. "Sitting with friends on a porch" sounds like such a peaceful and positive activity, doesn't it?

Do we have a dropping murder rate because of a national trend, or because Bealefeld kicks ass, or just because we all love each other a little bit more? Regardless, the FBI says we dropped to #3 in 2007. Take that, Memphis!

My God! An armed robbery on an MTA bus! Who'd'a thunk it?

Convicted icky schoolteacher Alan Beier got four years, and said, "I will never, ever again repeat any of those actions." Good to know, Alan, good to know.

More on Judge Plitt's ruling in the Kevin Johns case.

So if these two pharmacists are found guilty for illegal Vicodin sales, will each of their customers have to pay the city a grand?

Paris George spent six years cheating people out of money for medical equipment.

Contest winner!

Jack from NJ is, hands-down, the winner of yesterday's contest. Granted, he was the only contestant, but something tells me he would have easily withstood the challenge of 100 outraged grammarians. Here's his analysis, in all of its snarky glory.

“Another attack on board a city bus.”
This is a sentence fragment. I guess the whole “subject” and “predicate” thing escaped this journalistic genius who has chosen to write in the English language for a living.

“This time, a bus driver is assaulted by a group of kids.”
While glaringly obvious to those of us who actually passed the second grade, this assault “is” not occurring in the present. The correct verb tense is therefore the past tense, thus, “This time, a bus driver was assaulted by a group of kids.” What is a group? Exactly how many is “a group?”
Is it like a flock, a gaggle, a herd, a few, or a few dozen?

“It happened sunday afternoon at 39th and Greenmount in North Baltimore.”
I think we all actually learned to capitalize the days of the week in the first grade. Also, while I recognize that “39th and Greenmount” is a colloquial description of that intersection, if I were editing, I would ask, “39th what? Did you mean, ‘39th green house on the right” or “39th Street?”

“Police tell us the kids were playing around on the bus and threw some kind of liquid on the driver.”
“Kids” is such a funny term. It can mean eight year olds tossing around some water balloons while headed home from the park to watch cartoons. It can also mean twenty-one year old newly minted alcoholics hopped up on some PCP laced green tossing around some of their own Jack Daniel’s inspired vomit. Did we bother to ask what the Po-lice meant while we were speaking to the District? Oh, and while we’re at it, did we bother to ask what kind of liquid? Which Po-lice did this information come from? Was it our brave MTA Transit Police or Baltimore City’s Finest? Inquiring minds want to know. Investigative journalist you’re not.

“The driver called for help.”
Who did the driver call? Did she call her mommy? Did she plead for help from the passengers?
Did she dial 9-1-1? Did she contact her dispatcher by radio and get some indolent, hour delayed response from an apathetic supervisor? Give us the facts, Jimmy Olsen, just the facts.

“She was taken to the hospital as a precaution.”
Who is “she”? Is “she” the driver? This would be known in the more popular grammatical circles as a “misplaced pronoun.” In a different light, who is “she?” Is “she” a sixty year old matriarchal grandma or a twenty-one year old champion kickboxer who drives a bus on the side for the thrill of the danger involved? Paint us a picture, oh Picasso of the printed page. Not to sound repetitive, but did we bother to ask which hospital? Shall we ASS-U-ME that “she” was not injured? How long was she in the hospital? Was she admitted? Was she treated and released? Was she shipped to the burn center? These are the tough questions that come from a tough beat reporter.

“Police arrested all of the kids involved.”
Was it the State Police maybe? The City Sheriff? OK, we’re still pondering that one. Was it Unlawful Possession of a Water Balloon that resulted in the wagon ride? Felonious Mopery with Intent to Gawk, perhaps? Or was it something more run-of-the-mill and recognizable, like, say, assault or weapons possession or disorderly conduct? Or should we all consult our FOX News Home News Crystal Ball? Too bad my subscription has lapsed, or I would have all of these answers!

June 9

A man was found dead this morning in the 4500 block of Bonner Rd.

If the Fox Baltimore web site weren't a useless piece of crap, I could link to their story on a bus beating in the Northern. Since they don't provide a permanent link, I'll just quote the story:

Another attack on board a city bus.
This time, a bus driver is assaulted by a group of kids.
It happened sunday afternoon at 39th and Greenmount in North Baltimore.
Police tell us the kids were playing around on the bus and threw some kind of liquid on the driver.
The driver called for help.
She was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Police arrested all of the kids involved.

Because it's Monday morning and I'm in no shape to tolerate both unruly teens and incompetent journalists, I'm opening a Baltimore Crime contest. Whoever finds the most grammatical and/or journalistic mistakes in that stupid article and presents them in a suitably snarky manner will win the warm glow of knowing you made me laugh. Plus, if we're ever in the same room, I'll buy you a beer.

In case attacking bus drivers isn't enough fun for you, you can always attack a paramedic.

... or a cab driver. Hardworking Aston Beadle, 63, was shot in the abdomen in the county June 4 after telling his would-be robber that he had no money. Police have no leads.

Circuit Judge Emory A. Plitt Jr. "makes it clear he'll have plenty to say" about both Kevin Johns and the Maryland correctional system.

The Examiner gives more about the wacky antics of the Bolden family.

Former HoCo teacher Alan Beier won't get a new trial, even though he was, like, totally not turned on after taking risque pictures of a teenage boy.

June 8

Herlinda Rodulfo was arrested in Texas and is awaiting extradition to Maryland, where she will be charged with the murder of 18-year-old Valerie Barnes.

Remember my comment from May 27, "Somehow, it's fitting that a Waffle House would appear in a story about a family that's this screwed up?" Well, brother Reginald is in the slammer again, and brother Justin is dead after swallowing some bags of drugs.

Do naughty black BPD officers get punished more harshly than naughty white ones?

Beware of hoochie mamas bearing badges. In HoCo (ha!) "police arrested seven men Thursday on charges of solicitation of prostitution after setting up a sting targeting an area of North Laurel."

I actually like this idea, at least on the surface: implement a surcharge for the druggies from the 'burbs who support the city's drug trade.

Why do we get all the crazies? Uma Thurman's stalker, Jack Jordan, was punished by being sent to live with his parents in our fair state.

Chifonne Frazier Indicted in Light Rail Stabbing

The Baltimore City Grand Jury today indicted Chifonne Frazier,17, of the 2900 block of Ulman Avenue for attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and related weapons charges. Court documents allege that on May 7, 2008, Chifonne Frazier assaulted and stabbed a young woman with a knife in the 100 block of North Howard Street. An arraignment is scheduled for July 11, 2008 before Judge Sylvester Cox, 203 Mitchell Courthouse. Assistant State's Attorney Michael Leedy will prosecute this case.

Aaron Speaks Convicted of Shooting Palsied Victim

A Baltimore City jury today convicted Aaron Speaks, 23, of the 2100 block of N. Guilford Ave of attempted first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence after a two-day trial. From your intrepid SA's office:

Judge Thomas J.S. Waxter scheduled sentencing for September 16, 2008. Speaks faces a maximum possible prison term of life plus 20-years.

On August 6, 2007 at approximately 4:18PM the victim, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was walking in the 300 block of East 21st St. when Speaks crept up behind him and shot him one time at close range in the back of the neck. A CitiWatch pole camera captured Speaks feeling [sic] the scene. Witnesses testified that only one person approached the victim, only one shot was heard and only one person fled the scene. Another witness testified that shortly after the shooting the defendant admitted to shooting the victim. This shooting left the victim paralyzed from the neck down; he remains on a ventilator and is unable to speak without medical intervention. Assistant State’s Attorney Tonya LaPolla of the Firearms Investigation Violence Enforcement (F.I.V.E.) Division prosecuted this case.

Indictment for Murder of Ellsworth Monroe-Bey

The Baltimore City Grand Jury today indicted Keon Christian Dorsey, 20, of the 5300 block of Cuthbert Avenue for first-degree murder, conspiracy to robbery and robbery.

Court documents allege on April 25, 2008 Keon Dorsey assaulted Ellsworth Monroe-Bey by striking him in the head as he walked in the 3800 block of W. Belvedere Avenue. Documents further allege that the assault rendered Monroe-Bey unconscious causing him to fall into the street. It is further alleged that Dorsey continued to assault and rob Monroe-Bey. Mr. Monroe-Bey was transported to Sinai Hospital where he succumbed to his massive head injuries on May 2, 2008.

An arraignment has been scheduled for June 27, 2008 before Judge Sylvester Cox.

Murders Revisited

Hey kids! Have some Friday afternoon fun and go take a look at who got away with murder and who didn't! There are five victims (six, if you count Ashley Harris' unborn baby) and seven potential murderers in this week's installment.

How many are doing time? How many were found not guilty? How many had charges against them dropped? And who's the lucky bastard who got nine years, seven months, and five days dropped from his 10 year sentence?

(FYI, Ashley Harris' fetus didn't count as a murder victim. The murder conviction against David Lee Miller in March was the first time Maryland's fetal homicide law was used. Miller was convicted for killing Elizabeth Walters, who was about 32 weeks into her pregnancy.)

June 6

It's tough for me to get all excited over tough federal/state sentences for handgun crimes when guys like Lucky Williams only get nine years. Baby steps, I guess. Just make sure you don't witness any murders while our leaders our baby stepping their way to greater political aspirations.

A jury found Natasha Fowlkes guilty for the beating that paralyzed her neighbor. I sure didn't see that one coming.

This is a long and convoluted story, but it seems to boil down to dropping a bunch of criminal cases because of some shady behavior by a cop.

A dude with a gun and a crowbar got his home invasion on at the house of a 25-year-old Middle River woman. No word on whether or not she was hurt.

Huh. I never knew that throwing poop at someone counts as assault. Now I'll totally have to re-think my office communication strategy.

Smash and grabs are on the rise in HoCo.

Looks like there's still some Harsonists on the loose.

Guess what they found in Senator Currie's house? Here's a hint: it's green, it smells funny, and it makes you craaaaaaaazzzzzy.

Checkpoints in DC

Interesting article from the Post about police tactics to help stop a streak of violence in DC's Trinidad neighborhood.
(Thanks for the link, David)

June 5

The Blotter has the trifecta of pain: shooting, stabbing, and beating.

The Thunder From Down Under got its van back, but no word if their loincloths and swords were still inside.

Murderer and witness-intimidator Lucky Williams got nine years, a sentence that even the judge called "very, very lenient."

Meanwhile, in CarCo, Mary Gates got five years simply for trying to hire a guy to whack her husband.
More on that case here. No murder and no witness intimidation, yet she still gets more than half the time that Lucky got.

Afternoon

After some morning wonkiness at the Examiner site, Luke has his May recap posted. It's a good article, and Dr. Sharfstein's comment ("Homicide is the leading cause of death among young men in the city. When you're talking about that many people being killed, it's absolutely a public health problem.") is much more insightful than the head-in-the-sand comment in 2005 by then-Health Commissioner Beilenson ("Baltimore is actually a very safe city if you are not involved in the drug trade."). Why don't you tell that to Anna Sowers, Pete?

Mr. B. always seems to come up with these one-two punches on the days of his murder recaps, and today is no exception. He takes a look at five women who work in the same office at the Baltimore City District Court, all of whom have lost at least one male family member to the city's homicide problem.

I hate it when they bury two news stories in one link: There was a knife fight on a bus in Annapolis, and police have ID'd a suspect in the murder of 21-year-old mother-to-be Christen Hawkins.

June 4

Four murders in the Ink, and a really depressing quote from a now-dead witness who was trying to do the right thing: "I know how my brother Brandon is and I know how my homeboys is and like I said in my statement that something has to be done before it get any crazier or somebody actually get killed and the next time somebody probably won't make it out the hospital."

There's a bit more info about the Woodmere murder that happened early yesterday morning, and Derrell E. Smith was ID'd as the man who was killed on Clifton Ave. on Monday night.

It's gotta be kind of embarrassing to be arrested for drug dealing and only have $24. If I was in prison with her, I'd totally be calling her stuff like Dozens of Dollars Ashley and 24 Buck Tucker.

This should be interesting. The BPD is asking crime victims how well the police handled their cases. If Commissioner Fred actually does something useful with this information, he will move a notch higher in my already high opinion of him.

Man Indicted for Shooting Gal in Front of his Mom

Today the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Montreal Proctor, 18, of the 2000 N. Bentlou for attempted murder and other counts on Monday, June 2, 2008.

Court documents allege that Proctor is responsible for a shooting incident in the unit block of S. Ellwood Avenue on May 7, 2008. The victim traveled with the defendant’s mother to pick up her children including the defendant in East Baltimore. The defendant instructed his mother to stop in an unknown alley. The victim exited the vehicle, Proctor ordered her to get back in the vehicle, she refused, and an altercation began. Court documents allege during the altercation, Proctor shot the victim in the head. The victim was treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital and released. An arraignment is scheduled for June 30, 2008 before Judge Michel W. Pierson, Room 329, Courthouse East.

sheeze, i don't even cuss in front of my mom!

June 3

We all know that dropping out of school in Baltimore is bad for your health (unless you're a teacher, in which case staying in school could be detrimental), but who knew that sitting on the porch was so dangerous?

In the time it took me to write today's post, the Sun published an article about another murder. Someone was killed at about 3:00 this morning in the 5400 block of Crismer Ave. in the Northern (or would that be Northwestern?).

And wow again. MJB just sent me a really disturbing article from the Post reporting that 49-year-old Calvert County resident Ricky Joseph Salvatore got all hepped up on beer, weed and PCP, listened to the song "41 Shots" on the radio, then fatally shot his younger brother.

Damn. I didn't realize that Shannon Dudley got stabbed in the heart. That's brutal. Of course, the two kids who were charged claim they didn't do it.

Wise words from Annapolis murder victim Jerome Hughes' grandmother during an emotional sentencing where Dupree Rashard Williams got 17 years: "You have to forgive. If you don't, it's like a cancer. It's time for all of you to grow up."

Someone in Baltimore is making some serious threats against the folks at CASA de Maryland.

Convicted car thief William Spessard escaped from a work detail yesterday with the old "I gotta pee" routine. Haven't these prison guards ever watched any movies? OF COURSE he was trying to escape. Like, duh.

Today is a rough news day for city workers. DPW employee Melvin Talbot was arrested for allegedly selling smack while he was working on Pulaski Highway, and a Public Works supervisor was arrested at the salt dome (or is that Salt Dome?) on Falls Rd. this morning for allegedly stealing water from a distributing company.

I wonder who plundered the Thunder from Down Under?

Pasadena Purses Pilfered! (I totally missed my calling as a headline writer for the New York Post.

Did Natasha Terresa Fowlkes lead the Edgewood attack that paralyzed Gregory Simmons, or was she innocently in the wrong place at the wrong time? Only God and the jury know for sure.

Hey Luke, where's your monthly recap? There are still a lotta dead people in May who need to be acknowledged, even if WJZ says this has been the least homicidal May since the '70s.

Man indicted for Kidnapping

From the SA's office:

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Christopher Johnson, 22, of the 5600 block of McClean Boulevard for kidnapping on Friday, May 30, 2008.

Court documents allege that on May 2, 2008, Johnson forced two victims into a vehicle at a bus stop located at Northern Parkway and McClean Boulevard. They were then driven to an apartment in the 5600 block of McClean Boulevard and held against their will. It is alleged that Johnson thought a Playstation 3 game had been stolen from the same apartment by the two victims.

This isn't the kidnapped teens from April, that was Catonsville. Nor does it have to do with the police-involved shooting at the same intersection in January. I'm not sure I've heard of this case before.

Murders Revisited - new post

The new "Murders Revisited" is now posted. I'm trying to find a clever way to highlight the sentence for Jason Blake, but it's really just another pathetic example of the failures of the city legal system. 358 days. Hooray, Baltimore!

June 2

Two worthless pieces of crap teenagers were arrested for stabbing aspiring barber Shannon Dudley at a bus stop downtown last week. Dudley is still in critical condition at Shock Trauma.

Father Worthless piece of crap Mark Castillo cried like a little girl (one who's still alive, that is) when he was told that city prosecutors were seeking like without parole.

21-year-old Jessup resident Christen Hawkins was three months pregnant when she was murdered.

There was a double shooting (non-fatal, so far) yesterday in the Southwestern. Otherwise, news reports indicate that everyone in Baltimore got along smashingly well over the weekend.

Uh, yeah. Never mind about that last comment.

Okay, these guys are totally awesome for driving a boxful of pipe bombs to the police, but they're totally fucking crazy for driving a boxful of pipe bombs to the police.

Goddamned immigrant guns, stealing the job of killing from our native Maryland guns.

May 31

Fascinating! FBI agents have searched the home of MD Senate Budget Committee Chair Ulysses Currie.

"Three people were shot, including one by police, during a spate of unrelated violence late Thursday and early yesterday in the northeastern and downtown areas"

Broadwater reports that new charges were filed last week against Brandon Grimes; the alleged cop-killer also allegedly assaulted a jail employee. And he also allegedly has a girlfriend-- how depressing is it to hear that if you're a single guy ISO love!

Do I detect cynicism, Ms. Linskey? "Christopher Shaw has avoided prosecution three times. In November, prosecutors dropped a drug-distribution case. Four years ago, they dropped a charge of murder; two years before that, it was an assault charge that was dropped. But this time, prosecutors say, it will be different."

Never a dull moment at Casa del Garmin: 17 years for Hollins Market hair-ron; jail for a crooked yearbook salesman; an MTA officer headed to the hoosegow for burning his own car. And, of course, the PDJ.

HarfCo is investigating the death of a jail inmate, 25-year-old Justin Eugene Bolden.

Brandon Grimes Not Guilty of Gun Charges

From the SA's office:

Late today a Baltimore jury found Brandon Grimes, 23, of the 800 block of Cator Avenue, Baltimore not guilty of handgun crimes, including prohibited possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, following less than 2 hours of deliberation.

The counts against Grimes originated early afternoon on April 13, 2006 after a car stop near his home. The allegations included that Grimes tossed a handgun into an adjacent yard after exiting his vehicle and entering his home on Cator Avenue, following a car stop by officers on routine patrol.

Grimes was found not guilty on all counts following a jury trial before Judge Wanda Heard.

Castillo Re-Arraignment Explained

From the SA's office:

Today the State filed formal written notice of its intent to seek an enhanced penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole in the case of Mark Castillo, 42, of Rockville, MD.

Under Maryland law, the State must file notice of its intention to seek enhanced penalties 30 days or more before the first trial date; his trial date is Aug. 22, 2008. A decision as to whether or not to file for the death penalty has not been made at this time. That decision will be made by State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy. She is reviewing all the pertinent court papers in this case and is also awaiting the court medical evaluation. There is no timeline other than meeting the 30-day requirement as mandated by law.

May 30

Michael S. Falls was arrested and charged with killing his 63-year-old girlfriend, Josephine House, in her N. Port St. home on Tuesday.

The body of 18-year-old Steven Parrish was found at a Baltimore County cemetery. Police have no motive or suspects in the murder.

21-year-old Christen Hawkins' beaten body was found behind a pool in Laurel.

Shannon Dudley is the guy who got stabbed at a bus stop on Charles and Baltimore on Tuesday night. It sounds like his only crime was waiting for the bus. Safe and reliable, baby, safe and reliable.

There's a whole lotta shootin' goin' on. And stabbin', and carjackin', and other assorted misbehavin', too! (WMAR's got video about the police shooting in the Southeastern.)

Shawn Lee Gray says 'Reds' was driving the car that hit and killed a Dundalk biker, but police say Shawn's a liar.

Damn. The Examiner isn't pulling any punches with this one: "Man accused of raping teen sentenced to 20 years - Not even her mother believed she was raped."

1.5 years for kiddie porn? Is Balto County getting soft on pervs?

The Frednecks don't put up with kiddie porn, though: Larry Cordell got 25 years for "making videos of sex acts with boys and distributing them through the Internet and elsewhere." This is his second conviction for child sex abuse. I can't even put in writing what I hope happens to his ass in prison, but let's just say it involves lit firecrackers and watermelons.

In HoCo, a kid was gonna bring a gun to school, but then he played hookie instead. In almost equally exciting news, I was gonna vacuum my house last night, but then I talked to one of my friends on the phone instead.

Crackheads and stockbrokers alike reported great excitement at the headline "Clean Air Act means healthier coke production." Then they read the story and didn't care.

There were probably some sort of fancy schmancy shenanigans going on with the sale of the Paramount Hotel on N. Howard St., but even after reading the article, I don't understand what the hell any of it means. White collar crime is, like, totally hard.

What's a Re- Arraignment?

A re-arraignment in the case of allegedly demented dad Mark Castillo is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before the Honorable Gale E. Rasin, Room 509, Courthouse East.

The first arraignment didn't take?

May 29

Thanks for the stories*, readers...
Ppatin notes that:
Omar Spriggs, who was injured in a quadruple shooting on May 15, has died.

Attempted murder charges against Brandon Allen have been dropped because the only witness against him was murdered a couple of weeks ago.

The ME has found that 63-year old Josephine House was strangled to death. Police say there were no other signs of foul play, and they have no potential suspect or motive.

And the trial of Brandon Grimes, alleged killer of Detective Troy Lamont Chesley Sr., has been postponed.
Here's more on the story from last year.
The P and I don't often agree, but I'm also puzzled as to why the SA's office didn't pursue the big D in this case. If there's any case that would seem to "merit" it, this would be it. (Though in a way it's an argument against the DP, because it's glaring, neon proof that the application is very inconsistent.)

More on the Tuesday-night stabbing at Baltimore and Charles. The victim, Shannon Dudley, "weighs less than 100 pounds and is passionate about being a barber."

Rodericks blogs on the 10-year sentence of the drunken Mexican who killed Marine Cpl. Brian Mathews and his lady, pointing out that while the victims' families were outraged, the 10 years is the heftiest drunk-driving sentence to be handed down in recent memory.

Enjoy troubling images? "The WBAL TV 11 News I-Team obtained photos that have never been seen by the public that raise troubling questions" about the now-closed Lower Shore Drill Academy in Wicomico County.

*I'm reprinting to put the links in "TinyUrl" so they won't be lost.

Talk amongst yourselves

I've got no time to post today, but there's lots of stuff on our favorite news sites. If you can find something interesting, share it with the BC gang down in the comments section. Snark and outrage are welcome and encouraged. Empathy doesn't hurt either.

The Baltimore FBI has a new division chief, Amy Jo Lyons. She's the third person to hold the job in three years.

Octogenarian absconder Willie Parker returned to Baltimore last week, three months after his arrest in NC.

The city wants to ban the sale of single cigars. But just the cheap ones, because rich people don't get cancer.

Sometimes, I enjoy posting links to inappropriate YouTube videos, just because I can.

Afternoon Update: Two Guilty Pleas

Ew. Timothy D. Price III, the 31-year-old former music director of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, pleaded guilty today to second-degree rape for having sex with a 12-year-old parishioner (the same age as his own kid, double yuk!). The Sun has an interview in which Price discusses healing through music.

At a hearing today, Darius Bacote, 17, of the 500 block of Orchard Street, pleaded guilty to Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Handgun Use in commission of a Crime of Violence and Wear Carry Transport. Judge Gale E. Rasin sentenced Bacote to 30 years, suspend all but 12 years, the first five without parole and five years of supervised probation upon his release. In February 2008 a motion to transfer the case to Juvenile Court was denied by Judge Rasin. Details:

Bacote [pled] to the following statement of facts. On November 9, 2007 in the 1300 block of West North Avenue at 9:24 p.m., Darius Bacote was observed firing a handgun by Officer Gregory Fisher who was operating an unmarked vehicle. The officer observed five muzzle flashes. The officer gave chase to Bacote and ordered him to the ground. Recovered from Bacote’s pocket was a .38 special handgun. Later that night Bacote provided a taped confession to Baltimore City detectives and confessed to shooting at Kevin Morgan because of an ongoing dispute. Initially officers were not certain if a victim or anyone had been struck but a hospital canvas revealed that a walk-in shooting victim shot in the 1300 block of West North Avenue location was admitted. Kevin Morgan was located at Shock Trauma suffering from a gunshot wound to his back. He was later released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Darius Bacote was 16-years old at the time of the shooting. Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Kowalczyk prosecuted this case.

May 28

A man got stabbed last night at Charles St. and Baltimore St., and another man was shot in the back yesterday about "50 paces" from where Ronald Crowell was killed over the weekend. Good to see the Sun is using ancient Roman units of measure.

Meanwhile, the 16-year-old girl and the 19-year-old man who were shot in South Baltimore and Remington, respectively, are both still in the hospital. No word yet on whether the fine doctors at Shock Trauma and Hopkins are being credited with the city's continually dropping murder rate.

Speaking of the dropping murder rate, Anna D. reports only one murder this week, the death of Carlos Cervantes on S. Broadway near E. Pratt St. Anna's poetic closing sentence says it all: "He was dead." There've been 77 murders so far this year, compared to six for the same week last year and 116 total at this time in 2007.

Whoever writes the Examiner's Blotter isn't quite clear on the difference between a theft and a robbery.

The drug biz ain't the only business that's being hit by a 'no parking' zone on Pennsylvania Ave. Of course, something tells me the dealers will bounce back easier than the legit small business owners.

I think I remember Pembleton telling Bayliss that the only people who sleep in the interrogation room are the guilty ones. Looks like Vaughn Garris is guilty, then. (His confession certainly makes it look that way, too.)

Here's a closer look at the impounded video poker games in Baltimore County.