The little darling who was the cameraman for the "Stop Snitching" video is off to the clink. But he had a bright future!

Brandon Grimes was connected to the gun used to kill Detective Troy Lamont Chesley by his ex-girlfriend. One quote I find particularly disgusting:

Authorities say it's unlikely that Grimes approached Chesley knowing he was a police officer. Carter, now Grimes' former girlfriend, echoed that sentiment.

"I'm not saying Brandon is a saint, but I can't see him taking an officer in uniform," Carter said.

So if its a cop, he wouldn't have (allegedly) shot him, but a normal peon is fair game. Outstanding - good to know there's some degree of honor.

In Baltimore, it's no longer safe to even walk outside of your house, as proven last night when a man was shot outside his front door.

Even more little dears hard at work, according to the blotter.
According to a Vanderbilt Professor, the key to insuring safe schools is understanding. Well done article overall with a couple of gems I'd like to include here:

Blacks, particularly boys, are too often assigned to special-education classes and left out of gifted classes, Ford said, because their teachers have low expectations for them and misinterpret their behavior. Low expectations can be manifested in several ways. Most obviously it is not pushing them into advanced placement classes, and more subtly it is dumbing down language that teachers use in the classroom.

"Remind yourself to talk up to children," she said, adding that use of complex vocabulary should be standard no matter how young the children or how poor their backgrounds.

She also said that African-American students do not revere teachers as Asian-American students do and that teachers must earn their respect.

"African-Americans have an attitude that says, 'When you respect me, I will respect you,'" Ford said. When teachers seem detached or uninterested in their students, black students see that as a sign of disrespect, she said. Students who don't feel the teacher likes or respects them are then more likely to talk back and be disruptive, leading to a classroom that can be more out of control.

I'll leave the rest for your imagination. Thoughts on it?

Don't miss...

Posted yesterday but worth a bump: the CP's article collection and search warrant affadavits from Monday's Tillman raid.

That Jose Morales guy is a piece of work, even by Mobtown standards! On August 18 he was arrested in TX for trying to charter a plane for $180k worth of yayo.

August 20

"Edgar Koch, director of the Baltimore Police Department crime laboratory, was fired yesterday in part because of recently discovered contamination in the lab's DNA section."

Witness intimidation works!
"Witnesses Donta Robinson and Jamal Carter had once identified alleged cop killer Brandon Grimes as the man who carjacked them at gunpoint. But Monday both men drastically changed their stories.
'I ain’t never seen that person in my life,' Carter said."

Here's the Ink, with two murders previously unreported, including Michael Sewell, 29, and an unidentified man on Oakley Avenue.

A 1986 murder was solved by some good-old-fashioned dick work

Trial is underway for Kazeem Akinyoade Akinniyi, 26, accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend

"Agents from the FBI on Monday raided several offices connected to Milton Tillman Jr., the man with several criminal convictions who prosecutors say controls about 80 percent of Baltimore City’s bail bond market." Here's the CP article collection for the backstories as well as affadavits that list the searched premises.

Marc Mitchell, 18, and Tavon Hammond, 23, were arrested and charged in the attempted murder of another man in a shooting last week at the Northwood Shopping Plaza.

Harsh! "‘RAT’ carved in back of inmate who wore wire"

The city's got a lot of nasty sewage leaks, but don't tell the EPA

Grimes Trial to Start Tomorrow

A jury has been seated in the murder trial of Brandon Grimes. Opening statements are scheduled for 9:15 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Timothy "the stupidity is astounding" Doory, 226 Mitchell Courthouse.

Just Asking

Bykowicz's article got us (and a lot of people) thinking: Is a regional jury pool feasible? Would it be Constitutional? (How about a national jury pool, while we're at it?)

August 19

Steven T. Hollis III, 18, of Randallstown and Juan L. Flythe, 17, of West Baltimore were "held without bail yesterday in the death of a Randallstown High School student who was stabbed and stomped to death after his fellow Bloods gang members found messages on his phone that suggested he was gay."

A 17-year-old was shot on the East side.

And another shot 17-year-old has died of his injuries.

Janis reports: How parking tickets go wrong

Like, duh: colleges say the drinking age is "not working"

Morning

A 17 year old was found shot in an East Baltimore home last night. Another one, who was shot on August 7th is now dead.

To other shootings occurred during robberies in Baltimore, lending credibility to my theory that the 'safest' place to be in Baltimore is in your home with heavy security.
Jean Marbella wonders about Jessamy's Frustration over the Abell report... that would make two of us.

Linden's Liquor is out of business. But where will I get my Alizé now?

A few leaders of local colleges signed a petition to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18, which could make lives for local Residential Advisors even more hellish

Things Looking Up for Alleged Cop-Killer

Accused cop-killer Brandon Grimes' prosecution "suffered a setback Monday when a judge ruled that jurors could not hear evidence linking the defendant to a carjacking days before the homicide." More from the deuce.

County police are ISO robber/attempted murderer Jonathan Duvon Lowe, 19.

Four words that are never good together: Baseball coach, kiddie porn.

Tune in

Julie is on the Ed Norris show right now talking about the jury study and Jessamy's reaction

August 18

"The medical examiner has ruled that a woman found Friday morning in a northeast Baltimore park was the victim of homicide -- the sixth woman to die of strangulation in the city this year." The special prostitution task force was on the scene, Janis reports.
Here's all six strangulations mapped by spotcrime.

Jessamy is "furious" at an Abell foundation study that found "jurors in nearby counties are 30 times more likely than their city counterparts to convict a defendant of the most serious charge."

Two robberies, two shot victims last night.

Three teenage boys shot in the SW yesterday.

Another shooting, a cutting and a robber on a mo-ped in the Blotter.

Weekend, August 15-17 '08

No way! Yet another inmate mistakenly released last Tuesday-- though this time we didn't hear about it until he was recaptured "last night" (Friday if you go by the date on the story, Saturday if you go by when the story was published). Either way-- five or six days of someone armed and fuckacta enough to assault an officer wild on the streets, and the police don't think the public has a right to know about it? Anyone else find that just a little bit unsettling?!

Police fired shots at a suspect in the NE, but it's unclear if any bullets found human flesh.

Way to grow a pair, Baltimore city! Linden Liquors will be shut down for a year starting Monday under the recently de-loopholed nuisance law.

Judge Doory found a treatment slot for methadone mom Vernice Harris.
Speaking of methadone, the NYT says it's the "fastest growing cause of narcotic deaths" in the U.S., and MD has started giving the stuff to strung-out jailbirds in the hopes of keeping them off the horse.

Boxing coach helps kids funnel rage-- just like that guy on "The Wire"!

Turns out Clark Rockefeller's real name = Christian Gerhartsreiter

Steve Sachs needs someone to properly tailor those pants.

12 Shootings This Week

Mapped by spotcrime.

"A woman's body was found this morning under a bridge by a jogger in Herring Run Park in Northeast Baltimore, city police said."

Starved toddler's grandma: I called DSS and "They said I am probably just making it up"

A 15-year-old girl with a wacky weave, left, was arrested for two stabbing attacks that injured three people.

Sex offender Rodney Elmore Joseph was charged with the murder and rape of Chontrell Sample in Cherry Hill a year after DNA linked him to the crime.

Watch out Willie Don!! Somebody burgled a 95-year-old woman's apartment at the Charlestown retirement community.

Brent Jones and the A. Meister went to a police administrative meeting re. Linden liquors and came away with two rather different takes.

Why do people send us this stuff?!

Enquiring Minds Wanna Know

So I finally got around to filling out CP's Best of Baltimore poll.
OBviously this is the best blog*, and the metal transsexual in front of the train station is the best eyesore, but what about the rest? What did you guys pick for Best Scandal? Best TV newsperson? Best print journalist?

* Actually i think Anger Hangover is the best... but who doesn't want to go to that party?!

Life + 18 for Philip Airey Murder

From the SA's Office:

Judge John Addison Howard sentenced Michael Martin, 28, of the 200 block of Allwood Road to life plus 18 years in prison for the murder of Philip Airey. A Baltimore jury convicted Martin May 23, 2008 of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit assault and wear/carry a dangerous weapon. Judge Howard sentenced Airey to life in prison for the murder count, 15-years, consecutive, for the conspiracy count and three-years, concurrent, for the dangerous weapon count.

On June 20, 2007 Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to the scene of a car fire in a field next to an off ramp leading to West Nursery Road off of I-295. The firefighters noticed the 1993 Geo Prizm gas cap was missing, license plates were missing and the area around the car was burned. When fire officials popped the trunk they found decomposed remains of a body later identified as Philip Calvin Airey Jr., 36.

Statement of facts. Philip Airey’s mother reported him missing on June 19, 2007. She last saw her son on June 18 just before he left to meet Tracy Asbury at a local bar. According to witness statements, Airey arrived alone, ordered two drinks before Asbury showed up at the bar. The two were observed by witnesses having drinks and playing pool together for several hours before Asbury left the bar alone at midnight. Asbury was observed on her cell phone as she left the bar. Cell phone records revealed that Asbury was calling Michael Martin and Robert Speake. Airey ordered his last drink after Asbury left at 12:07 a.m. Cell phone records indicate Asbury made several cell phone calls to Airey between 12:40 and 12:42 a.m. Shortly after that time Airey arrived at the house on Pennington Avenue. According to witnesses, upon his entrance to the house, he was met with fists, kicks and punches in the living room. The fight moved into the basement where he was further assaulted and ultimately stabbed to death. Witnesses at the house at the time of the assault gave statements that they saw Michael Martin, Tracy Asbury and Robert Speake assault Airey and later saw a body wrapped in a blanket and a sleeping bag in the basement of the house. Another witness gave a statement that the next day, in the early morning, he saw Philip Airey’s Prizm in the alley and that Tracy Asbury was standing next to the vehicle and the trunk of the car was open. Witnesses gave statements that Asbury had spoken openly about an elaborate plan to assault Airey over the course of several weeks.

Speake, 19, pled guilty April 7, 2008 to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and use of a deadly weapon (knife) with intent to injure. Under terms of the plea agreement Speake was to testify truthfully in the Martin trial. Today, Judge Howard sentenced Speake to 58-years in prison, suspend all but 43-years.

Asbury, 38, pled guilty May 14, 2008 to second-degree murder and conspiracy to assault. Under terms of the plea agreement, Asbury was to testify truthfully in the Martin trial. Today, Judge Howard sentenced Asbury to 55-years in prison, suspend all but 33-years, and five-years probation.

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

August 14

Vernon Paige, who was shot yesterday, has now died.

Okay, let me get this straight. The state's Public Defender... is calling on our State's Attorney... to review cases conducted by a former State's Attorney... that is now a Public Defender? This is a level of idiocy so high that it could only happen in Baltimore Government.
(Also see CP's "Why did Ronald Hinton's lawyers not see documents that could have exonerated their client?")

A 15 year old girl's been arrested for two stabbings last May.

Mayor Dixon swears that she is trying to crack down hard on the slayings of prostitutes that have been happening. Good to know she's working hard at something.
(Also see "Love of heroin greater than fear of danger for Baltimore sex worker" and prostitute murder map from Spotcrime)

Some would call it sad, some here would call it poetic justice: A man suspected of selling drugs on his bike was hit by a car.

We'll soon know the fate of Linden Bar and Liquors.

It wouldn't be Baltimore if a few people didn't get shot or burgled, so here's the blotter. Go go gadget nonfatal offense!

- The Cynic

Really? MD is one of the few states that specifies at what age children can be left home alone.

August 13

Broadwater and Janis ask, "Who is killing the prostitutes?"
Here's a map from Spotcrime of the murders

Why did Ronald Hinton's lawyers not see documents that could have exonerated their client?

Almost 11 years in federal prison for the former proprietor of Charm City motors.

A UPS driver was shot on Caton Avenue

A man was shot to death at about 3 p.m. yesterday in the 4100 block of Barrington Avenue in the NW.

... and another man was shot to death last night on the West side.

The Ink's Christopher Skokna found murders previously unreported

"Low pay, chaos following [David W. McGuinn]'s stabbing cited in bid to preclude capital punishment"

Blotter: a lot of crappy cars stolen

Media Blabber: The Sun will launch a redesign August 24.

Local Drunk Driver Makes Good

Michael Phelps has become the Olympic-medal-winningest Marylander busted for DUI!

August 12

County police are investigating a suspiciously dead body found in the parking lot of the Excape {sic} Nightclub in the 10000-block of Pulaski Highway.

And Sunday night, a fight at a kid's 11th birthday party led to a shooting death in Harford County. "I guess he [Kevin Sorrick, 36] just snapped," said the alleged killer's gf Yvonne.

Another county What The?! A stolen truck crashed into a Hereford home, killing a sleeping woman

was the city really quieter than the 'burbs this weekend?

"Baltimore police told Federal Hill residents last night that they will maintain their increased presence in the community indefinitely, continuing the nightly patrols in the aftermath of two killings that shook up the neighborhood in June." (begging the question, where will their non-presence be maintained as a result?)

Four more to be charged in cult toddler-in-suitcase death

Sad: Veteran county officer responded to Parkville murder/suicide, had stroke, died.

Torts from TDR's Brendan Kearney:
Former CareFirst CEO William L. Jews is suing the insurance commissioner in federal court to get his full $18 million termination package back.

"A lawsuit accusing Maryland of second-class treatment of its historically black colleges and universities is unlikely to be resolved without trial, an attorney for the state conceded" yesterday.

Brothers Get Life+20 for Murder of Singer

From the SA's office:

At a hearing today, Judge Roger Brown sentenced Donte Lamont Tyner, 24, of the 3700 block of Brownbrook Court and his brother Tavon Tyner, 21, of the 2500 block of W. Lanvale Street to life in prison plus 20-years for the first-degree murder of Darrell Artis. Details:On April 3, 2008, a Baltimore City jury, found the brothers guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit firs -degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, and wear, carry, transport a handgun.

On September 7, 2006, the victim, Darrell Artis age 26 of the 6300 block of Pioneer Drive was killed in the 7100 block of McClean Boulevard following an argument. The two brothers accused Artis of singing louder than others who were rapping. According to witness testimony, the two began shooting. Mr. Artis was shot 17 times by the Tyner brothers, who struck every major organ in Mr. Artis’ body.

At the sentencing, Darrell Artis’ grandmother described him as a light to their family and that he brought joy to the family through his musical talents.

Update from Margaret Burns:

"Please note for clarification of sentence:

Both Donte and Tavon Tyner were sentenced to double life sentences (concurrent) on the counts of First-Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder and 20-Years Consecutive -- 1st Five Years Without Parole, on the count of Use of a Handgun in the Commissioenr of a Crime of Violence."

Monday 2008

This, we don't see everyday here: A woman who goes by the name of Princess Marie (and is allegedly in a cult) has been charged with the starvation death of her child.

It wouldn't be Harm City if we didn't have some gunsmoke...

Plenty of nonfatal offenses happened this weekend, according to the Blotter. But hey, if it didn't result in someone dying, then not such a big deal right? I mean, the victims can just buy new things...

Stephen Janis and Luke Broadwater do two fine jobs in discussing the William Brown case as seen by the possible victims, and the aftermath in the community he was from.

Adam Meister discusses the oddity that is Frank Conaway, Jr. I've had a chance to meet him and his very humorous father in the past. I gotta say, Frank Jr. came across as pretty stuck up - which was kind of shocking for a guy that's a clerk working for daddy turned politician/chauffeur. Sheesh. Frank Sr., Mary, Belinda, and Frank Jr. Take that, Kennedys!

Oh, and before I forget: Free Kwame!

August 10

George Blaine, 30, was shot to death yesterday morning in the 1700 block of N. Bradford St., no suspects.

PCP, heroin and iced-tea rage in the blotter.

"City police attempted in 1999 to fire officer who is now chief of force that protects state buildings"

Margaret Burns of the prosecutor's office: "Snitch in a box" and payola defense attorneys "the rare exception to the regular criminal justice process."

New DNA evidence in Donna Dustin's cold case murder will be the talk of the Bowie High reunion.
(Another, sadder version of the story from the Ann Cap)

August 8

16-year-old Matthew Scarbourough was shot and killed when he walked in on his family's apartment being robbed.

It's My Snitch in a Box Dept: "The defense attorney in a Baltimore murder trial is accused of visiting the prosecution's main witness in jail over the weekend and trying to convince him to change his story, allegedly by asking him, "How does it feel to be a snitch? You know what happens to people when they snitch? They leave jail in a box."

"An argument between neighbors over their pit bulls ended in gunfire"
(Incident mapped by Spotcrime)

Also "Two people were shot and wounded in separate incidents this morning"

.. in happier news, July's homicides were (reportedly) the fewest since 2001! :)

Media Blabber
Did you Know? The Library of Congress collects materials in virtually every format and representing all subject matter, with the exceptions of clinical medicine and technical agriculture (those subjects are collected by the National Library of Medicine and the National Agricultural Library.) Their holdings also do not overlap with the topic areas represented in the the library of William W. Smith.

I think I know where all of our commentators went yesterday-- they were typing on Meister's "Linden Liquors killer" post.
Speaking of Examiners, typo of the day from "Health Examiner" Dr. Delia Chiaramonte: "Controversy brews over prostrate testing." (Isn't is crazy how the "Examiners'" posts are mixed in with the news stories on the main page-- as if there was no difference between the two?!)

40 Years for Parolee/Home Invader

From the SA's office:

The Honorable John C. Themelis sentenced Michael Hayes, AKA Michael Evans, to 40-years {sic} in prison today after a jury convicted him on June 10, 2008 of armed robbery, theft over $500, first-degree burglary and unauthorized use following a 3-day jury trial[.]

Hayes, 27, of the 3200 block of Magnolia Ave was paroled on July 11, 2007 and 16-days {sic} later Baltimore police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery and home invasion in the 6400 block of Everall Avenue. The victim testified that he was walking from his mailbox to his front door about 6 PM when Hayes and another male approached him and pointed a silver handgun in his face and forced entry to his home. The men demanded money and hit the victim in the face. The armed robbers ransacked the home demanding guns and money. As the victim’s wife arrived home, the gunmen fled in the victim’s car with personal property. The car was located in the 5600 block of Farndale Avenue within 30-minutes {sic} of the incident. The defendant’s fingerprint was located at the crime scene and he was identified in a photo array.

15 Years for Man Who Kidnapped & Shot Hack Cabbie

From the SA's office:

This morning Judge Robert Kershaw sentenced Raymond Saunders, 21, of the 2200 block of Sydney Avenue, to life suspend all but 15-years in prison with 3-years supervised probation for attempted first-degree murder and 5-years for the use of a handgun in a crime of violence after he plead guilty to the facts of the case. The sentences will run concurrently.

The elements of the offenses to which Saunders has plead guilty are as follows: On April 11, 2007 at 11:25 am in the 2400 block of Wilgrey Court, police officers found Michael Storm bleeding profusely after being shot in the chest and left arm. Mr. Storm reported that he had been operating as a “Hack” when he met Raymond Saunders to transport him to 2400 block of Wilgrey Court. After exiting the vehicle, and while Mr. Storm was waiting in his vehicle on another patron, Saunders returned to the vehicle to inquire about his cell phone believing he had left it in the car. When the phone was not found in the vehicle, Saunders became agitated with Storm. Storm entered the dwelling with Saunders in an effort to help him find the missing phone insisting to him that he did not have the phone. Saunders became more irate and held Mr. Storm captive at gunpoint. During the hours of captivity Saunders forced Storm to drive him around at gunpoint, accusing him of stealing the cell phone, threatening him and insisting the phone be returned. They returned to the 2400 block of Wilgrey Court when Saunder’s {sic} became irate and shot Michael Storm. Though Michael Storm suffered extensive internal injuries he was able to identify Raymond Saunders as the person who shot him after being held captive for 11-hours. Other witnesses present in the 2400 block of Wilgrey Court identified Saunders as the shooter. Raymond Saunders fled to New York and was arrested there by the Warrant Apprehension Task Force and the New York Police Department.

15 years for all that? i thought kidnapping was usually considered kind of a big deal!

Sex Offenses Real and Imaginary

"Lawyers for a former Catholic priest and the Archdiocese of Baltimore say they are close to settling a sexual abuse case filed by the parents of a man who died of a drug overdose, allegedly as a result of the priest’s actions 17 years ago."

BP: remember how we said Sergeant Smith was a drug-addled pervert? Our bad!

Suspected serial sex predator/murderer William V. Brown may face more charges.

Baltimore County police have obtained arrest warrants for four convicted sex offenders, and are asking for the public's help in locating them.

Meister: "It's time to combine two of my favorite subjects: Patricia Jessamy and Linden Bar and Liquors." (don't miss the comments!)

It's the case of the Baltimore Raven and the missing insurance $$

Thursday... bang bang bang!

A man was shot to death at about 1:30 this morning in the 500 block of Castle Drive in the Lake Walker neighborhood.

The lead-based love-fest continues in Baltimore this morning, as three men were shot last night and a kid was shot after midnight today.

So it turns out that five of those involved in the Quintuple shooting (yes, Quintuple Shooting) may be connected to the Bloods. And some people in this town think there aren’t any Gangs…

For all of you who think that your boss is bad: Police are now holding Alice Collins for the murder of Elizabeth Mary Queensbury, which stemmed from a robbery attempt.

Okay, so some cop we were made to be a bad guy is actually one of the good guys. Great – not even the police can differentiate anymore.

News flash: If you say in a commercial “Our car deals are so low you’ll think I’m on drugs!”, you aren’t supposed to literally have them.

Sheila Dixon doesn’t care about poor people. Well, at least someone does, I guess…

August 6

What the?! Five people shot "in the lower body" in the SW last night, police say they were Bloods. mapped by Spotcrime

The man killed on West Fayette last night was ID'd as Jeffrey Alston of Catonsville.

The Ink has four murders from last week, plus updates

A man was robbed and shot while fetching Chinese takeout on Harford Road.

Since Vic wanted to know what happened with the shooting at Robert E. Lee, maybe someone else wondered also-- it turned out that it was a lesbian-stalker type situation-- Sirlilar Jewelle Stokes, 19, female patron of the 2 O'Clock strip Club, lured 18-year-old dancer Ashley Davis into her car, took her to the park at dawn, shot her, then returned to the same club later that afternoon, where she was arrested.
Aside, have you ever been to Pride? There are quite a lot of "Snoops" in this town.

Feds to Seek Big D For Lackl Murder

The U.S. Attorney’s Office will seek the death penalty in the prosecution of Patrick Albert Byers, Jr. for the murder of Carl Stanley Lackl.

August 5, 2008

Sentementes reports that a 23-year-old man was shot and killed early this morning in the 1700 block of W. Fayette St. in West Baltimore.

Ralph Hall, 37, was found July 30 shot to death behind the Dr. Roland N. Patterson Sr. Academy in the 4700 block of Greenspring Avenue.

Umar Ibn Shakir, 18, was shot to death in Woodlawn in the county

... three shootings in three days mapped here

Two men convicted of three counts of first-degree murder yesterday: Derrick Collins, 24, was convicted in the Dec. 18 killing of 33-year-old Annette Bardney, and Larry Joseph, 19, was convicted for killing Deion Morris and Channing Myrick in September of last year. Morris and Myrick were shot to death in Belair-Edison in "broad daylight as an afternoon church service was getting out."

A victim of suspected rapist/murderer William Brown spoke to Stephen Janis.

Yikes: "Baltimore police and prosecutors knew a “serial rapist” was on the loose as early as 2005, but never alerted the public."

There's a new warden today at Central Booking -- a girl one!

Sex-offender stories from Crofton and Columbia

"The Defense Ministry says hundreds of soldiers have been deployed in cities across Italy as part of government measures to fight street crime."
(thx glt)

Monday

Peter Moskos, author of Cop In The Hood, finds a few problems with our trustworthy and dependable cops' current state of affairs.

Nicholas Browning, accused of slaying his family in cold blood, is arguing that he was not in the right frame of mind when he did it. Go Onnnnn...

Loser Clark Rockefeller is headed back to Beantown.

And how could we not talk about The Cos coming to Harm City?

Community Announcements

Next Tuesday August 12, 6-8 p.m. Mayor Dixon will hold a "Neighborhood Conversation" at Loyola College Andrew White Student Hall, 2nd Floor,
4501 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21210.
For more info, call the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods at 410-396-4735.
(Their slogan: "you may as well be calling the MOON!")

Meister reports on a new blog-- Baltimore John Watch!
... for more on Internet john-watching, see this Wired article
(Now that William Brown is in jail, are the prostitute killings going to stop?)

Clark Rockefeller?

Baltimore makes a cameo in the international news cycle as another criminal flees to the Promised Land. This time it's noncustodial-kidnapper dad "Famous Phony" Clark Rockefeller and his daughter who the UK Times says is known as "Snooks"

Week-end

Officer Jerome K. Hill, who punched an undercover cop, was cleared Friday (08/01/08) afternoon of assault charges

City Officer Indicted for Rape

From Margaret Burns at the SA's office:

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Rohan Mays, 27, of Rosehaven Road, Baltimore, for second-degree rape. It is alleged that Mays, who resigned from the Baltimore Police Department on July 23, 2008, raped a 16-yr. old female between June –July 2007.

Mays was taken into custody late Friday night and will have a bail hearing next week. The Court set a no-bail status.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceeding.

An arraignment has been set for August 27, 2008.

(rec'd on a Saturday morning, more than a week after the indictment-- odd)
More Less from the Examiner.
More from the Sun

Murderous Heroin Gang linked to Killings, Kidnappings

... and Warren Brown's involved. "As many as five Baltimore homicides over the past three months" may be related to the April kidnapping of the teenaged Blackwell brothers.

An arrest for the murder of Omar Phillips at the Linden Liquors.

The Boyfriend was charged in relation to the lady found in the sleeping bag in Aberdeen.

Was the guy who mailed anthrax to The Enquirer from Frederick?

Oh, snap. Adam Meister's got something to say about Jessamy's BMag feature, and it involves references to "Animal Farm".

Ten shootings in six days

gee, that's kind of a lot.

But there's plenty more to know and be outraged over! This just in from TBC:

Did you know that alleged strangler and rapist William Vincent Brown may have been rendered unable to kill three people if the Judiciary had done a halfway decent job? Read more to find out why!


BCPD is back on the case of Clarence "Buddy" Downs III, who police suspect was killed by scary lady Cindy McKay.

From the "Damn, you stupid" department: a Frederick citizen was busted after turning a stereo over to Best Buy, but not before removing his crack.

The City State's attorney's office will have a chance to crack down on Witness Intimidation in the case of "Robo" Jones...

Plenty of nonfatal offenses in the Blotter. Gee, that doesn't sound so bad when phrased that way...

So apparently Gerald Mungo Jr - arrested after riding a dirtbike - was arrested because his mother complained about the officer's treatment of her son.

Never bring a knife to a geranium fight?

About Kids, Not For Them

This week's CP cover story
"Puzzling Evidence:
The Confession of a Boy Convicted of Raping and Murdering a Child Outweighed Indications That He Might Not Have Done It"
retells the very disturbing story of young Ronald Hinton.

Child Arrest, two Murderers and a Rat-Eating Possum

More to the story of the arrest of 7-Year-Old Gerard Mungo Jr.-- 311 transcripts and allegations that "Sgt. Colburn and Officer Hayes made 'some type of a bet as to whether or not they could lock up a 7-year-old'"

28-year-old Paul Highfield got 10 years for beating two-year-old Anthony D'Urso to death.

Luke and Janis report that Baltimore cold-case detectives have charged William Brown, 41, with killing a 25-year-old woman with a prostitution record and a 15-year-old girl in 2004, and with raping another woman in 2003.

A woman's body was found in Aberdeen.

And then there's the story of how a "Trashy House Breeds Raccoons":

Wt first I wasn't too taken aback by the raccoon but when I saw the possum I was like ‘whoa’! But then I was told by another neighbor you really want the possum's around because of the rats they eat the rats. I just don’t want them around me! ... They're running around rampant! I had to have my roof repaired as well as my mom and several other neighbors.

What the Hamburglar's Eating Now

"Nobody thinks prison food is haute cuisine, but could it be so bad it's unconstitutional?" Slate magazine taste-tests prison Nutraloaf.

Also in this mien from Jeff Quniton's Inside Charm City: "Satellite TV coming to MD prisons"

Bang bang bang bang bang bang. Bang. Shank!

A man found bleeding in the 1200 block of Orleans street reportedly died at Hopkins hospital last night.
Monday's four shootings have been mapped by spotcrime, and a fifth shooting proved fatal early Tuesday morning.
Here's more

"I guess some people are listening to Drowning Pool's 'Let the Bodies Hit the floor' because another one was found in Northwest Baltimore today." -- TC

Grandpa's got a shiv: Tyrone Alsberry pleaded guilty to killing Willie Clayton Joyner after stabbing him during an altercation over money.

.. and three other assorted area crimes from yesterday.

At a hearing yesterday, Judge Paul Smith sentenced Tranell Dansbury, 25, of the 1600 block of North Broadway Street, to 20 years in prison for second-degree rape, 10-years consecutive for second-degree assault and 20 years concurrent for second-degree sex offense for a total prison term of 30 years. A Baltimore City jury convicted Dansbury June 12, 2008. Details:

On November 18, 1997 Dansbury, who was 15-years old at the time, forced the victim behind a brick wall located at 1400 East Madison Street where he raped and sexually assaulted her. Police identified Dansbury with a DNA search of the Combined Offender Data Index System (CODIS) in April 2007. Assistant State’s Attorney Katherine Moxley of the Sex Offense Division prosecuted this case.

At a hearing yesterday, Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Kim Hargett, 25, of the 600 block of E. 30th Street to 20 years in prison. A Baltimore City jury convicted Hargett of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine on March 26, 2008. Details:

On August 25, 2007 in the 1600 block of E. 30th Street officers observed Hargett engaging in hand-to-hand drug transactions. When Hargett realized police presence, he stashed what was later identified as heroin and cocaine under a porch at 1603 E. 30th Street before running into that residence. Police arrested him inside that house and recovered more than $700 in US currency. They recovered 25 blue top vials of cocaine and 20 clear gel caps of heroin from under the porch. Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Daitch of the Narcotics Division Prosecuted this case.

This just in from TBC: As mentioned in the comments, Barney Frank (D-MA) is proposing a bill to decriminalize possession of smaller amounts of marijuana. My question for you, Mr. Frank, is this: How does it feel to support TERRORISM?

Media Blabber

Peter Moskos, author of "Cop in the Hood," was on Ed Norris yesterday. The podcast isn't up yet but I assume it will appear on this page eventually. In the meantime, why not listen to the Paige Croyder interview again?

Tuesday...

Brandon Morris, who was convicted of killing a corrections officer, was transferred from supermax to a federal penitentiary in Kansas. Sounds like he's made it to the big leagues.

Rozza Alston is no longer the alleged POS robber and felon. If only we could Kentucky fry him as a fitting punishment.

Impressive research: BCPD police have arrested a man for a rape that happened more than 20 years ago. CSI - Baltimore, anyone?

Plenty of thieves in Baltimore City and County, so where's Ali Baba?

You have to admire the tenacity of the County State's Attorney's office, who will pursue Life without parole for a 16 year old accused of killing another teen. No, John Galt - the County cannot annex the City.

The other side of the story: Its only fair to take an alternate view of Pat Jessamy in light of all we've recently seen. Here's one from Baltimore Magazine.

In other news, I'm considering places to host a summer Baltimore Crime get together, any suggestions?

4 shot, 3 killed, in 40 minutes in city
Mapped by Spotcrime.com
- Residents in Govans talk about the murder of Tyrone McCray, found near a PAL center on Ivanhoe and Tunbridge

"Jewel Williams was just 4 years old in 1998 when she watched a man kill her mother and her mother's friend in a Reservoir Hill apartment ... She stayed in the apartment with the bodies for two days, caring for her 1-year-old stepbrother and trying to treat her mother's wounds with toilet paper and a toy stethoscope."

UPDATE: Nicholas Browning will be tried as an adult

Don't miss this!

"Jessamy can't do anything without Burns. They are almost the co-state's attorneys right now."
"I have a file of the things [Burns] did to undermine the police department, and a lot of it was false."

Blistering accusations from retired high-ranking prosecutor @ the State's Attorney's office, Page Croyder, who breaks down the SA's office drama 4 yr earhole (scroll down to the middle of the page)!

.. and there's more from Meister, who also dug up a link to the 2006 TDR article in which Judge Glynn calls Burns a liar.

Affirmative Action for Republicans

Was Rod J. Rosenstein hired because he was the best candidate... or because he was the best Republican candidate?

Just another Manic Monday...

The death of Tyrone McCray, who was shot and killed yesterday, has been ruled as a homicide, the City's 122nd.

Baltimore Police are investigating a shooting of a 21-year-old off of Hillen Road on Shadyside Road. I would classify that street as "ironic"...

The two men fatally shot in a Jeep on Friday have been identified as Quinton Hogan and Donell Rogers.

A 20-year veteran of BPD is attempting to clear his name amidst charges that he showed nudie pics at work. If you're going to get busted allegedly doing naughty things on the computer, why not solitaire like everyone else?

Annie Linskey describes an odd relationship between a man standing trial for drug charges and an officer who has come to his aid for an appeal.

Holy burgles, Batman -- lots of robberies in the blotter!

As part of a larger probe, two city employees were suspended for stealing copper from the Mitchell Courthouse as well as City Hall then selling it for profit. You're supposed to go before the Board of Estimates first before stealing from the City , you didn't get the memo?

New media? The Sun Guild and the Daily Record have been a-posting YouTube videos.

The CP has more on the White Bros's 4th of July shootout at the union hall

A suspiciously dead body was discovered in NE Baltimore.
(Thx Glt)

Police ID'd the men killed in their car on Friday as Quinton Hogan, 23, of Parkville, and Donell Rogers, 21, of Baltimore. (WBAL says it was Wabash & Northern Parkway, WMAR says Wabash and Rogers Ave.)

BOB Time Again

Vote in the CP's Best of Baltimore poll if only to fill in the "Best Local Blog" line!

July 25, 2008

Two killed in a drive-by shooting on Northern Parkway!
Police are looking for a white Pontiac.

An armed purse-snatching right next to Roland Park Elementary!

Both the Sun and the Daily Record cover yesterday's courthouse rally with Anna Sowers and her supporters.
Cham may be tired of this story, but I think it's pretty interesting.
Meister blogs that he has an "inside source" in the SA's office who says that Burns will "probably go quietly sometime before the election."

The man with the bomb at UM- Baltimore was ID'd as one Dallas J. Smith.

An AAC woman who left her newborn in the trash is out of the pokey after serving 8 months.

At a hearing today before his trial was scheduled to begin, George Scruggs, Jr., 34, of the 3100 block of Artaban Place pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Gale E. Rasin sentenced Scruggs to 30 years, with all but 15 suspended, and five years' probation. The facts he pled to:

On August 29, 2007 at approximately 11:42 p.m., Scruggs and the victim, Darnell Thomas, 24, began arguing outside Scruggs’ door. Thomas struck Scruggs in the face with a beer bottle. The argument further escalated with the eventual fatal shooting of Thomas. Scruggs confessed to police but stated he believed the victim was armed with a handgun.

Thursday (and nothing is sacred)

An 82 - allow me to repeat this - Eighty-Two year old woman recalls the mugging and vicious assault she allegedly suffered. Apparently one of the men did it after asking for change for a $5. Lesson learned: Don't give anyone in this city anything.

If that doesn't boil your blood enough, the city blotter features people robbed, cars broken into, and homes burgled, while the county blotter has explosive devices and hate crimes. Business as usual in the Baltimore Metropolitan region, I see.

Though she was to receive mental treatment in return for pleading guilty, Vernice Harris continues to rot in prison.

My apologies for forgetting Anna Ditkoff's Murder Ink, an invaluable and informative resource here in Harm City...

WMAR TV examines the controversial and -- above all -- local issue of racist license plates. With news mediums like this, who needs propaganda factories? filler?

In a complete and absolute display of her innocence, Mayor Sheila Dixon has retained well known and respected defense attorney Arnold Weiner to represent her in the ongoing perjury/misconduct probe of her office. Weiner, of course, represented former Governor Mandel during his little tryst with the law.

Lame.

State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy released a statement regarding the Sowers case, click here to read it. A statement that you're not going to make a statement? What's the point of that?

Quality Readin'!

Don't miss the article in this week's NYker about medical MJ in CA, aka "Dr. Kush."

Wednesday Morning

If there is a Hell, these guys are certainly going there: Seriously, who robs a guy of church money?

Assaults, robberies, arson and cuttings in the Blotter. Just another day in the greatest jurisdictions in America...

Since it'll be a crime issue soon enough: Senator Ulysses Currie allegedly used his power for the benefit of Shoppers, a company he worked for on the side.

More to come...

Yikes

A bomb squad was called in to UM Baltimore BioPark this morning.
(Thanks Lucid)

Tuesday Morning

After the fatal shooting, the Linden Bar and Liquors is back to business as usual.

A woman who served as assistant manager of the Family Dollar in Mount Claire was found slain there in what authorities believe was the end result of a failed robbery.

A burning body was found in a burning car on Park Heights Avenue last night.

Plenty of gunshot victims, robberies, attempts to burgle, and destruction of property in the Blotter.

Mia Redrick continues the debate on child curfews in Baltimore.

Commissioner Bealefield gets to stay commissioner, as the City Council approved his contract and gets $142,000 per year, with benefits.

Helpful hint: If officers want to take you, don't bite them, because then you'll be charged with resisting arrest and assault.

But J-Kwiz told me that weed was supposed to make you hungry, not kill you...

A domestic murder/hari kari Saturday night on Limit Avenue.

Linden liquors is staying open, in spite of Saturday's "unfortunate occurrence."

WTF? K-Swift Drowned!

At the young age of 27, 92Q DJ K-Swift has drowned in her own pool, while throwing a party!
Apparently no one noticed the hostess was missing, and then when they found her no one performed CPR on her.
WTF?

... The Sun has more

The reporter who broke the Zach Sowers "sleeping baby" story covers the farmer's market protest.

BCPD arrested Edward Leon Medley for a 1980 rape.

Four years later, the courts have finally settled the case of Janet Jackson's tittyflash.

Monday Morning

A man was shot and killed at a liquor store off of safe and reliable North Avenue on Saturday night. More interestingly, this store was the target of shut-down efforts by the local Reservoir Hill Community. Hmm. Methinks this will call for a committee.

A stabbing during an attempted robbery at the Mt. Clare Dollar Store.

This was not a good weekend to be out after 7pm (sorry, Artscape fans), as someone else was found fatally shot in SoWeBo.

As evidence that some press can be bad press, dozens of people gathered to discuss the firing of Margaret Burns, spokesperson for the City State's Attorney's office. Burns, shockingly, could not be reached for comment. Notice a pattern, anyone? Adam Meister posted more information on this little conundrum here.

An inmate died at central booking on Friday evening, and the Powers that Be are investigating.

It's going to be hot today, cats and kittens, so be sure to bring your bottled water!

Here's what you missed at the rally

The next gathering of aggrieved citizens will be at noon Thursday on the steps of the courthouse.

Weekend

#113: "An unidentified man was shot to death Friday night in Northwest Baltimore, according to city police ... found with a gunshot wound to the upper body about 11:20 p.m. in the 5000 block of Pembridge Ave. near Pimlico Race Course ..."

The most recent female strangling victim (#107) was ID'd. "Friends" and police "departmental reports" (?) claim Brenda Hatfield, 45, had been selling certain skills on the open market. Her family denies it, though, and Hatfield has no drug or prostitution charges on her record.

Matthew Haarhoff, who allegedly helped his mom set her "boyfriend"'s body on fire, is now trying to make a new start.

The NYT has a criminal-justice series running, "American Exception," examining "commonplace aspects of the American justice system that are virtually unique in the world."
The "Baltimore Exception" would be whole other series,
featuring
"Abated by arrest"
gag orders for retiring police officers,
and, of course, a lady Mayor who's going to get indicted!

For-Her Firearms

The News Hole just featured the press release of a .38 gun which is painted hot pink - perfect for that special lady of yours. It's an exquisite piece...

Friday Morning

The jury's still out on the case of Darnell Edmonds, accused of murdering Kenneth Morrell, who was accused of murdering Darnell's Brother Keyyon Makins. This is the second trial after Edmonds first ended in a mistrial.

In a fit of irony, Sherman Kemp - a purveyor of the 'Stop Snitching' culture - essentially snitched on himself when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and gun possession, among other charges.

The US Attorney's Office scored another win when they clinktified Terrance Gray, who conspired to steal cocaine from a drug dealer. He was sentenced to 15 years. Go, Hot Rod!

Jean Marbella notes an extremely interesting legal theory raised by some penitentiary-bound Baltimoreans. Take that, Clarence Darrow!

Well, it turns out that the fifth woman who was strangled was also a prostitute.

As many of you probably know, The police have, in the past spied on groups they dubbed suspicious. But... as recently as 2006? The Sun investigates spying done by the State Police on peace and anti-death penalty groups.

Sirlilar Jewelle "Juelz," Stokes, 19, was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a 18-year-old Ashley Davis at Robert E. Lee yesterday.

"Prostitute Self Defense Class"

Taking it to the Streets

... like the Doobie Brothers!
We hear there's to be a rally against newspaper layoffs today at noon in front of the Sun building on Calvert Street.

There will also be an anti-Marty-Burns rally at the farmer's market on Sunday.

They don't call this city Mobtown for nothing!

The Story that Refuses to Die

A listener of "The Ron Smith Show" opines that racism twines its way through the Sowers case.
(Thanx Vic)

Speaking of twining racism, it's interesting how when Jessie Jackson drops two "n" bombs, the press won't print or repeat the quote.

Thursday Morning

Lamont E. Brown, Baltimore's newest alleged criminal mastermind, was charged for the series of attempted bank robberies from monday evening. One has to wonder what would have happened had that time been spent applying for jobs. Oh Dan Rodricks, where were you?

Sampson Asby of West Baltimore was arrested for the death of his girlfriend Patrice L. Marable (#111) on July 6th. With a record of more than two dozen cases dating back to 1998 one can't help but wonder how the police knew. And if you don't believe me, check for yourself here.

Antonio R. Jackson - who gave the gun to the person who ended up shooting and paralyzing William "Tippa" Thomas - apologized to William yesterday in court while being sentenced for the offense. In other news scientists are working feverishly to correlate apologies and recovery from paralysis.

A State Trooper was wounded during an altercation in which a man attempted to enter the Mondawmin MVA after hours. I know people who would get aggressive after being in there during regular hours. Also, anyone who is trying to deliberately enter that place is clearly not right.

A study by Johns Hopkins' School of Public Health has found correlations between the neighborhoods of Baltimore and the health of its inhabitants, saying that poorer and more violent neighborhoods are prone to health issues such as stroke, and heart attacks. In other news someone, somewhere just said, "Well, duh..."

Two more people suffered nonfatal shootings near Clifton Park last night, this time a 14 and 15 year old boy.

The State's Attorney's office dropped murder charges against Lewis K. Lucas yesterday, citing that they were unable to find their only witness. Fortunately he already is facing a hefty 20 year sentence... which is suspended... although he now is serving five years... D'oh!

Holy gunsmoke, Batman!

As reported by the good people at The Baltimore Sun, a man who attempted to burgle a Park Heights home was shot in the back and died. Margaret Burns of the State's Attorney's office did comment on this matter, indicating that they will wait for the police homicide investigation to conclude before deciding whether or not to pursue criminal charges.

Shot in the Park, but Who's to Blame?

Update: The partially-clothed teenaged female found at the Mt. Washington RoFo at the crack of dawn was shot in Robert E. Lee Park and had walked to the store for help. She is in critical condition at Sinai.

Last night was "a violent night in Baltimore City after five shootings and one beating in less 12 hours."

Did you know? There's only one full-time overnight news videographer in town, and his name is Pete O'Neal.

"... having joggers find dead bodies is a more effective and vastly more cost-efficient crime fighting alternative than using local law enforcement."

Wednesday Morning

This just in: A woman was found shot in front of the Mt. Washington Royal Farms this morning. Police are looking for suspects.

Most loyal viewers have probably seen this in the comments section already but Councilman Jim Kraft has joined the calls for Margaret Burns, spokesperson for Patricia Jessamy, to be canned for her "sleeping baby" remarks.

Five Schools in The - former - City That Reads have been labeled "Persistently Dangerous" by the Maryland state school board. Its worth noting that the entire state of Maryland has five schools which has this designation, so do the math. But, to show you that behind every cloud there's a silver lining, five were removed!

D'oh, Kevin Clark's case was dismissed in the Baltimore City Circuit Court. His lawyers intend to appeal.

Extremely interesting case: James Owens was convicted of first degree murder years ago and recently was given a new trial. However, the Judge overseeing the case has allowed the confession from years ago to remain as evidence. There's even more to it than that. Another fine writeup by Luke Broadwater.

Police have captured a man they believe shot an Anne Arundel County Police officer yesterday.

Anna Ditkoff notes six murders that happened this past week, making her count 112 total.

In my Inbox

"This email is being sent out to about 200 employees in the office of
the Baltimore State's Attorney. I am what they call an examiner for Examiner.com and I want to know your opinions on the Margaret Burns situation. Feel free to email me from your personal email account if you have to. I have included some pertinent links below my signature. If any of you could encourage State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy to give a statement about this issue it would be helpful. Is any one in your office concerned about the impact of this situation on the reputation of your office? The refusal to comment seems to only add fuel to the fire and anger more citizens of Baltimore on a daily basis. It appears that your office thinks this situation will go away if you do not address it but in the last 24 hours the Daily Record, WMAR, WBFF, WBAL radio, and the Baltimore Sun have joined me in covering this issue. Councilman Kraft has gone on record as a supporter of the dismissal of Ms. Burns and this further reinforces the image of you going against the will of the citizens of Baltimore (the same people you are supposed to represent). This could soon turn in to a political
nightmare if your office and leader continue to maintain a stubborn silence. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Adam Meister

WBAL Radio Coverage:
http://wbal.com/stories/templates/smith_show.aspx?articleid=9574&zoneid=13

The Daily Record:
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=5960&type=UTTM

WMAR Coverage:
http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=f4b5b9c5-86d5-4560-b23d-9aec5ac3ac81

"

Another big weed bust in the city! That's like, 600 pounds in a month!
(Wonder what percentage that is of how much passes thru town?)

Officer Indicted for Manslaughter

The Grand Jury has indicted Thomas Sanders, 37, a police officer in the Northeast District, on a two-count indictment charging him with voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. An arraignment is scheduled for August 29, 2008 before the Honorable W. Michel Pierson. The state alleges that Sanders shot Edward Hunt, 27, of Aquarius Court, in the back at about noon on January 30, 2008 at the Hamilton Park Shopping Center. Officer Sanders is expected to turn himself in to authorities.

National

"At the Uneasy Intersection of Bloggers and the Law"

An AACounty officer shot in the city (not fatally)

Tuesday Morning (Not as thrilling as the store, but...)

Chuck described this incident better than I ever could: Stabby Cabbie. I must confess it made my morning to read that.

Some 23 year old was indicted for the murder of Effrem Kearney, #9 of the year.

Robbers targeted two downtown banks yesterday, successfully robbing the Provident bank on Lexington Street and falling short at the M&T bank on Pratt Street. The police are still looking for suspects. Oh well, if at first you don't succeed ...

Orlando Gilyard got nine years in Federal Prison for Bangin'. So far the US attorney's office has 48 people with either indictments or pending cases. I suggest that we rename US Attorney Rod Rosenstein "Hot Rod".

Within the next 24 hours we should know if the case of Kevin Clark - Baltimore's former top cop - will go forward.

Lt. Terrence McLarney - Law School graduate and respected veteran - has taken over one of the hardest jobs in Baltimore, commander of the BPD Homicide Unit.

Not a crime story, but... Belinda Conaway, Legislative Scholar connected with such groundbreaking resolutions as a statue for a dead horse, has now made calls to shift Baltimore's government to a four day work week. At this pace she'll be mayor by 2011.

Citing a lack of evidence, the State's Attorney's office has dropped charges against Carolyn Redd, charged with murdering her mother in February 2007. She should be freed today, while Lawrence Page - Redd's boyfriend who is connected with the murder - has a postponed trial until October.

Monday evening

Being in this blog is like being in the Godfather or the Crips or something. I retire, you throw me a big fancy retirement party (thanks for coming out, y'all), and four days later I'm reading shit in the media and blogging about it. I get out, and they pull me back in. Sigh.

With that said, Baltimore Cynic is my new hero. And if you didn't read Sean's comments a few days ago, you really should. Keep it up, Sean.

Over the weekend, 27-year-old Eric Little got into a booze-fueled spat with his 17-year-old brother, Calvin Ray. Eric 'fessed up to stabbing Calvin, then the cops told him Calvin was dead. It's not often that I feel much sympathy for killers in this town, but something tells me that Little had no real intention of hurting his little brother. It's a rough case no matter whose perspective you view it from.

The last paragraph of the link above has 30 words on a double shooting on Braddish Ave. in West Baltimore that left one man dead. (I'm not sure whether or not you saw this one, Cynic; finding bodies in the city's media is kind of like finding eggs at an Easter egg hunt. It's tricky at first, but after a year or two, you learn all the good hiding places.)

WMAR actually wrote something semi-comprehensive about the two teens who were (allegedly) tortured for (allegedly) ripping off Christopher Johnson's PS3. Why teenagers being beaten, burned, and sodomized over a video game system isn't front page material is completely beyond me.

Media Blabber

TDR: "Even though at least 34 journalists at The Sun have applied for buyout packages, the paper will still need to lay off employees to achieve its goal of eliminating 60 newsroom jobs by August."

The Wally Jay reviewed Cop in the Hood by sociologist and former BPD officer Peter Moskos.

Saratoga Street is not about to drop Sleeping-Babygate (you can't call one of their reporters a liar and expect them to drop it)!

Monday, and the Forecast is bleak

As reported by Sir Galt, there was a double shooting in Clifton Park yesterday which left one person dead, and another injured.

As if that isn't bad enough, City police are reporting three nonfatal shootings throughout Baltimore as well from that day. Interesting that they would describe a shooting in such a pleasant, euphemistic way.

Local Firefighters pulled the body of a young woman from the Inner Harbor today.

In response to what can only be described as idiocy and inefficiency squared, Mayor Dixon recommended upgrades to the City Courts' computer system. I wonder if Dale Clark is busy?

In response to placing his client in Supermax instead of psychiatric care, an attorney for Kevin Johns intends to appeal to the Court of Special Appeals.


It isn't technically a crime, but darn it, it should be: The NAACP is investigating Lexington Market because of its policy that clients must purchase food in order to purchase booze. Another fine piece of work of the Baltimore NAACP - how is their paper murder tally going anyway?

Sgt. Robert Smith, who was falsely accused of a sex offense and removed on duty, is now back on the job... with perks! Perhaps the NAACP should get that attorney to investigate their miscarriage of justice.

The Baltimore Sun discusses the BPD's efforts to put away the 960 most dangerous offenders in the City, as well as the problems that the Judiciary sees with it..
And... discuss!

Morales caught in Dundalk

Edward Ericson Jr. of the City paper notes that Jose Morales Jr. - (alleged) thief, arsonist, and all around bad guy who doesn't like showing up to court - has been captured in Dundalk, and is now being held without bail. I guess this would be because he's a flight risk...

With charges awaiting him in four different counties in Maryland, one has to wonder if he's concerned with the Trespassing charge he may get.

Extra credit to Ed for the clever title of the update!