Who decides

... what deaths were suicide, homicide or murder?
Buz sed,

All deaths ruled homicide by the Medical Examiner, and some even before, are reviewed by the Assistant State's Attorney for Violent Crime. He/she, in conjunction with their superiors, make the ruling of "justifiable"."

Well, BUZ, apparently even if the Medical Examiner's office says the death of a tied-up, buried woman might have been a strangulation, THAT is apparently not be not enough to get the police to classify or examine a death as a murder.

... what a wrenching story. That poor sister. What a nightmare.
And with 341 unclassified deaths in 2004-- 341!!-- how many more nightmares are out there?

Robberies, Armed

An armed robbery at 2024 N Charles St

... Maurice Young's bank- and home-invasion-robbery days are over, at age 43 with 38 Rod years ahead of him.

Only

six shootings this week.

An officer was hit by a car during a foot chase.

In Lusby, "Shopping On eBay As Girls Lay Dead"

The dollar may fluctuate, but there'll always be a use for delicious, omega-rich mackerel.

Peter Hermann says police are withholding basic crime info from the press, & "residents of this city know less and less about crime, the very thing they worry about the most."

The WSJ asks, "what ever happened to crime?"

Jayne Miller has entered the blog-o-sphere.

25 years for robbing the McDonald's, from the State hAead hOslappin office:

At a hearing Tuesday Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Shawn Johnson, 29, of the 4200 block of Fairfax Road to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and a consecutive five years in prison for robbery. A Baltimore jury convicted Johnson August 4, 2008.

On March 26, 2007 at approximately 3:00AM Johnson barged into the McDonald’s located on 25 N. Howard Street ordering the victim, an employee who had just arrived, to open the store and turn the alarm off. Johnson walked up behind the victim, placed black handgun to the victim’s head and ordered that he be brought to the safe, demanding that all the money be placed in a bag. Johnson threatened to shoot the victim; the victim complied and Johnson fled with the money. During the robbery, Johnson received a call on his cell phone and the victim heard a male on other end said “we gotta go, police are coming.”

Officers arrived and found co-defendant Stanford Reid coming out of the back alley with a jacket wrapped around his hands. He was stopped and found to be in possession of a handgun and a McDonald’s bag with $1419 currency in it. Reid fully cooperated and pled guilty August 3, 2008 to conspiracy to commit robbery and was granted a probation before judgment and one year probation. Reid and the victim both identified Johnson at trial.

Homicide #166*

An unidentified man found shot "near the 700 block of Allegany Place around near Carey Street about noon."
No s, no m.

* murder #164

That Live Entertainment Ordinance sounds jackassed.

Friday

Pat Jessamy doesn't like regional jury pools (which you wouldn't know from her efforts to shelve the Abell Foundation report), but is the idea constitutional?

As further proof that our political leadership is neither inept nor corrupt, the subpoenas continue for the Sheila Dixon investigation.

Carrie Everett of the Southwestern District of BPD received a reprimand after someone police captured committed suicide during her shift, and she's taken her story to the streets.

Two little dears were arrested for robbing a shoe store in Edmondson Village on September 24th. The issue was education here, as anyone could have taught them a shoe store is no place to rob.

A prosecutor turned appellate judge in Maryland argues against the Death Penalty in The Daily Record.

The economic crisis has even struck homes burgled, as evidenced by the random things nicked in today's blotter.

More on Squirrley McRobrob

His name is William Michael Miller, 44, and he's robbed three banks since Sept 26!... joke's on him, that cash won't be worth anything next week!

... because inflation will rob us all

Here's the article that inspired the new poll (thanks BBoy).
And here are MD's gold coin dealers.

Crabmeat, I Knew it!

Sentementes tracks down Johnny Hood, aka the Waverly seafood booster from yesterday's Blotter... don't miss the mug shot!

Today's "old man guilty of kiddie porn charges" link

#165

Michael Wilson, 24, of Belair Road was found shot multiple times in the torsoin Northeast Baltimore this morning. He later died at a nearby hospital. Interestingly enough, he was on probation from a drug conviction in 2006.

A man beaten to death in Essex was ID'd as Eddie Alonso Stewart, 24.

Broadwater tells the tale of attempted-murder victim Sean Levy.

The Ink details last week's murders, reports Delawntae Finley has been removed from the toll. If that's the case, then police are likely not counting the death of Anthony Coates, #121, which would explain the discrepancy between numbers.

Did area drug dealers steal the formula for happy pills?

A Salisbury woman was awarded $1.8 million after being wrongfully terminated from a pest-control company.

Some unspecified criminal charge was dropped in the case of a MoCo loon who threatened the gov, Hillary and Mikulski.

A TDR law blogger asks, "Should American courts be prevented from enforcing defamation judgments obtained in countries with weaker free speech protections?"

More on the probe into police spying. Your tax $ at work!

Gregory Barber, 23, the former live-in boyfriend of Kermia Hair, 25, of Bolton Hill, has been charged in her murder.

The ACLU wants more info on state police spying

How Can You Just Not Show?

According to this NYT map, the majority of MD's representatives--- Wayne Gilchrest, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Steny Hoyer and Christopher Van Hollen, Jr.-- didn't vote last night on the so-called "bailout" package ...
(see comments for correction)
Here's the financial mess explained handily, if you're interested.
Now back to our usual programming...

City council docs have been subpoenaed in the Dixon/Doracon probe-- and the state prosecutor now has new record-subpoena-ing powers.

Five years for the killer of Estefany Gonzalez.

The 15-year-old who was shot while standing on a porch in East Baltimore's Midway neighborhood was ID'd as Derrick "Terrell" Reed.

#164

43-year-old Helen Reightler, stabbed at the Inner Harbor, died Monday of her injuries.

Have you seen

this bald n squirrelly bank robber?

Two city twentysomethings were arrested in AAC for stealing catalytic converters.

Getting Away With Murder: a Primer

We've been long curious as to why Baltimore & MD have such astronomical rates of "undetermined" deaths compared to other areas; this J&B story about the postmortem of suspected prostitute Tyra McClary, who apparently tied herself up, removed her own underwear and buried herself, is enlightening.

Fifteen years for first-degree murder: it never ceases to shock the shit outta me. Today's lucky winner of that incredible deal was Marcus L. Pettiford, 22, of the 2000 of E. 31st Street, who pled guilty and got 50 years, all but 15 suspended, and 5 years probation from Judge Charles G. Bernstein. Details:

On June 5, 2007 at approximately 12:04AM in the 1700 block of East 30th Street Pettiford approached Tyrone Bonner, 29. After a brief argument, Pettiford pulled out a handgun and shot Bonner five times. Pettiford and an alleged co-defendant fled on foot. Emergency personnel transported Bonner to Johns Hopkins hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:33AM. Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Felsen of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

See, it's dangerous in the burbs, too: a man was shot in the neck ... or was it the jaw? outside of the Manhattan Grill in Perry Hall.

Wouldn't You Know it

Rasslin' Luke Broadwater's butt-stapling story got picked up by PerezHilton.com-- with 3 million views, that easily makes it the Ex's most-read story ever!
PS., the buttmenz paper chain has endorsed McCain.
... seems a little premature, but that's how mavericks roll I guess!

Creepy: "Lawyers have started Googling and Facebooking prospective jurors to get a sense of whether they want them on the jury."

#163

A 28-year-old man died after he was found inside a van (... or was it a car?) at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of North Broadway in east Baltimore with gunshot wounds.

A man was shot in the leg and calf in south Baltimore; a woman was carjacked north of Butcher's Hill

Tyrell D. Tyler, 19, was convicted of attempted murder and gun charges.

A Paki guy got 33 Rosenstein months for his role in a green card/ buttlegging/ bribery conspiracy.

What the?! "Sheriff's deputies in southern Maryland on Monday continued to investigate the discovery of the bodies of two small children in a freezer"

A witness in the barbershop beating contradicts detective Love's account of the events.

?! Police collect criminal DNA from scenes, but tell lab to ignore it.

Tragic: a MD state police helicopter crashed this morning, killing two troopers, a medical technician and an accident victim.

... just what Baltimore nightlife needs: more bureaucracy.

Qs of the day: Why is MD's infant mortality rate as lousy as Uruguay's?

Why was a Bmore police officer forced to look at KKK web sites?

Nine Shootings This Week

... mapped by Spotcrime.

Friday

A man was found fatally shot in the head in Northwest Baltimore this Morning.

Police are seeking a Pennsylvania man - connected with killing a Pennsylvania woman - whose getaway car has been found in the City. This leads me to think that everyone knows this is a criminal haven.

Rule one of criminal buffoonery: Reach for an officer's pistol, while out on bail and at a drug stop.

The Funeral of former Councilman Kenneth Harris was covered by The Examiner, and The Sun.

As this happens, the Baltimore Crime Beat - not to be confused with our Baltimore Crime Blog here - discusses Northwood Plaza, where Harris was shot, as well as dialogue on what to do with it.

He said, they said: A witness is alleging that a Baltimore Officer and Baltimore County Sheriff's deputy beat on a man who they claimed got away. No word yet on whether he actually just "fell down some stairs".

Annals of Witness Intimidation

The claim: While his client got tanna in Guyana, attorney Robert Simels hatched plans that involved "eliminating" witnesses and "neutralizing" their testimony.

Also today, says the office of the Head Ho Slappa, (copy-edited by me):

a jury found Wayne Morris, 22 of the 300 block of S. Calhoun Street guilty of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. The jury deliberated for approximately one day following testimony. Morris was found not guilty of witness intimidation and second-degree assault. His sentencing is set for October 28. The maximum penalty on all charges under Maryland law is 20 years in prison. Maryland enacted a new law in 2005 that changed the maximum penalty for witness intimidation to 20 years in prison.

Following his April 2006 arrest for a home invasion and murder, Morris was charged with witness intimidation, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit assault after investigators reviewed more than 36 phone calls Morris made from Baltimore City Jail. In those phone calls, Morris commanded and directed persons to take action against the witnesses in the murder case in an attempt to prevent their testimony in his trial, including a pregnant witness. Morris can be heard in many calls, played in open court, describing how he wanted to get out of jail and come home, and needed help to eliminate witness testimony to thwart his murder case.

On August 27, 2008 Morris was convicted of second-degree murder, five counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of robbery deadly weapon, two counts of attempted robbery deadly weapon, four counts of assault and 4-counts of conspiracy to rob in the home invasion. In that matter, Judge Clifton J. Gordy scheduled sentencing for October 28, 2008.

On April 20, 2006 Morris kicked down the door at 1404 Kuper Street, announced a robbery, and shot and killed an occupant of the home, Robert Atkinson, 47. One victim was pistol-whipped and two victims, including a pregnant woman, were assaulted. All were robbed of various items on their person including cash and cell phones.

A lot of examiner Love for Ken Harris

You have to give respect to the Baltimore Examiner. Despite the unwieldy website - which I'm finally learning to navigate - they did a good job of covering the reactions to the death of former city councilman Kenneth Harris, Sr.

Gregory Kane summarizes his view of Harris' legacy and how we as citizens can remember him best. True to a good Gregory Kane writing, his view is peppered with his cynicism towards the city, with quotes such as:

When Baltimore voters rejected him, I saw it as a rejection of accountability. I figured Baltimoreans — who acted like true, bona fide Balti-morons in this instance — really didn’t want the answers to those questions Harris put to Brown, or want to know about those sloppy budgets the school board put out or budget deficits of $58 million. Balti-morons would get exactly the municipal government we deserved.

Michael Olesker is saddened but disgusted with us for the death, arguing that most citizens have become numb to the murders in baltimore until people like Ken Harris get killed. What Olesker doesn't know is that our government has assured us that only bad people die in Baltimore.

Luke Broadwater reflects on his final interview with Harris, who, perhaps in a case of irony, was discussing another victim of crime.

Stephen Janis has collected some quotes from Harris, which shows him to be a squeaky wheel in a grease-free city government.

The BPD has pledged all of its resources to solve the death of Harris. That sounds like a good idea, since the other people killed didn't deserve the same treatment. I know, more bad people killed, yes...

Frank Conway and the Family wants to help pay to lower gun crimes. Political? Yes. But hey, I don't see Sheila Dixon offering any fur coats, do you?

Plenty of activities in the Local Blotter too. After all, the law abiding citizens won't scare and concern themselves.

15-year-old is #161

The Baltimore Sun reports that a 15-year-old shot in the abdomen last night on the 2500 block of Aisquith Street has died at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

One Sketch-Ass Mall

Day late, dollar short dept: "Police are preparing for a sweeping search of the neighborhood where former City Councilman Ken Harris was murdered three days ago." ... The Northeast has been plagued by violence and robberies-- more so than usual, I guess. ... Stolen autos, shootings, robberies and shoplifting around the Northwood plaza strip mall since July, mapped by Spotcrime ... ... and Gus Sentementes guest-blogs about a young Ken Harris on "Crime Beat."

The Murder Ink is up to 159, puts names to the numbers
(Our count is one off of the Ink's and two off of the PD's, wonder why? Did the police take off the two "justifieds"?)

Overhead on the scanner: armed robbery at about 7 p.m. in the 800 block of Guilford Avenue, suspect described as a "#1 male, armed and dangerous" (thanks, that narrows it down!)

You hope summer's out of reach: a geezer with a metal detector found a hand grenade on the beach in OC.

ME: No Drugs Involved in K-Swift's Death

Drugs & alcohol have been ruled out in the death of K-Swift; her death was attributed to neck injuries.

A 15-year-old was arrested for shooting a 9-year-old.

County police are looking for a white guy with a neck tattoo who robbed the Northwest Savings Bank.

An 11-year-old girl stabbed with scissors, a guy shot with a bb gun and a man stabbed in the head, neck, back and an arm by robbers after disembarking from a bus.

The death penalty commission has held its last hearing. Police are investigating the death of an inmate at Central Booking. But what story gets top billing in the Examiner's crime pages?

Speaking of the big D, the trial of Baltimorean-turned-alleged-courthouse-killer Brian Nichols is finally underway in Atlanta after years of delay. Here's that New Yorker article about Nichols and Georgia's "death penalty paradox."

The crappy economy is making it tougher for sperminators to make child support payments, and the city is grappling with what to do with crazy, drug-addicted "parents."

American Taliban

... at first it sounded a little over the top, but after reading this, I'm not so sure.

So Many Bullets

A 50-year-old man was shot in the stomach on Howard Street this morning.

A man was shot multiple times on Saturday on Pulaski Highway.
Also robberies in Bolton Hill.

Police have released pictures of the nightmarish mask used by one of the gunmen in Ken Harris' murder, which may have been used in other crimes. Reports conflict on where Harris was shot: "ambushed" by the club's front door, or while fleeing to his car. The E reveals that the New Haven lounge had been robbed once before in the past three months. No new information on the mysterious woman in the car.

A MD student was killed in MA, and a MD doctor was killed in Pakistan.

County police are looking for a burgundy Chevy Suburban with front-end damage that was involved in a hit-and-run that killed a man in Woodlawn.
AAC Police are also looking for a light-colored 1990s American van, implicated in a fatal hit-and-run involving a motorcycle in Glen Burnie.

Fights breakout! The smell of alcohol on the suspect's breathe! Reports spread through hearsay! A party at Towson's University Union led an arrest, a hospital visit and linguistic horrors in the Towerlight.

Anna Sowers has a guest column in today's Examiner regarding Jessamy's response to the jury bias report.

WTF?!?! Kenneth N. Harris Sr. Killed!

... reportedly by three gunmen robbing the New Haven Lounge in the Northwood Plaza mall, who shot him as he was running away to his car!
And the killers are still on the loose.
Unfuckingbelieveable!
JZ has video of the police press conference. Bealefeld reveals that police found a mask similar to the "Scream" mask and Harris' wallet nearby.
More on Harris from a vintage CP article and a Wikipedia bio.

More Fun With Rod and Pat

One Allen Gill got 40 years of three hots & a cot for drug dealing and three murders. Sounds like a pretty good deal, actually...

An MVA photo machine, stolen mail, a Washington Post article, medical scrubs and fake canes = one seriously elaborate identity-theft scam.

Tree Top Piru ran gang from prison, gets sentenced to more prison.

There's something you never see in the city... police busting car riflers.

Feisty Meisty: "Is it possible to start a Dixon prosecution fund?"

18 Shootings this Week

Eighteen people shot since last Friday, mapped by Spotcrime (note Boston St. was a double).

Noon(ish)

Thomas Moylan, an inmate at Central Booking, died after being found unconscious in a shower on Wednesday night. In previous conversations with his mother, he alleged inadequate mistreatment.

There were two more nonfatal shootings in Baltimore, one in the Northeast, and one in the west where a guy caught a bullet in the bum bum. Take that, Tom Green!

Shootings and stabbings in Baltimore City, and burgled homes in Baltimore County. Even the blotter can show the stark differences between the two jurisdictions.

Peter Hermann discusses helping those who won't help themselves, Baltimore judiciary style.

A bad time to be named Deandre...

In another "win" for the good guys, Deandre Brown, 20, pled guilty of shooting at four police officers and was sentenced to (life with all suspended but) 25 years. And we wonder why its difficult to hire more of Baltimore's finest...

Homes Burgled! Cars yanked! Vacuums... sucked away? All this and more in today's blotter.

Local Campuses:
At Johns Hopkins University, start watching your bikes.

Thank You for Blogging!

Two shootings last night, including a guy who fired shots at an officer (and missed)

Says galt--
"In Meister's column, police indifference in Canton.
In the blotter today, a woman robbed at the ATM on St. Paul in Charles Village. Note: a similar event occurred a short distance away this week by 33rd & Greenmount. Related?"

Stolen underground water meters in the SW.

An arrest in the Dec. 2 2007 murder of Eugenio Harrison.

NYT: American legal influence is waning.

This Ain't Your Damn Baby

Where they was ... has ... got... at... oh just watch this damn video.

Quotes of the Day

"Like the calculation of Pi, Miller's criminal history has been endless"

"If the bishops don't have to courage to tell their flock that it is immoral to vote for a child-killer like Obama, then the faithful will."

This One's For the Children

El jizz reports that a nine-year-old girl was shot at South Caroline & Gough Streets!

A four-month-old baby was missing for two days, taken by someone named "Nay Nay," but this is the first we've heard of it! Shouldn't someone have issued an Amber Alert or something?! (ps. Hey WBAL, 4-month-olds can't toddle!) ... more detailed story from the Sun

Attorney General: 58 percent of juvie offenders completing youth programs were re-arrested within a year after release.

Dwayne Erving, 18, attempted to invoke the Bush Doctrine in defense of his murder of Taavon Mitchell. He got 10 years anyway.

"Man, 80, beaten by son with hammer, Arundel police say"

Also an AAC, the 6th murder, a man shot through his bedroom window

Baltimorean Jamar Gattis moved to Idaho, got beat to death anyway

Media Blabber

TDR reports that the Sun's managing editor, Robert Blau, has quit, two months after the deputy managing editor did the same.

The CP has deemed Margaret Burns the "Best Flack"
Page Croyder's got the "Best Insider Perspective"
and Adam Meister's got the "Best Local Blog"
That's going to be one interesting party!

Rotten Teens on the Loose

Police are ISO a pair of dim-looking teens who allegedly robbed the Parkville High's.

Guilty Pleas in Nightclub Murder

From the Office of the Head Ho Slappa:

At a hearing today, Tony Hawks, 30, of the 3700 block of Ravenswood Ave. and Eugene Darnell Parker, 33, of the 3900 block of Cranston Ave. plead guilty to second-degree murder, handgun use in a crime of violence and conspiracy to murder. A third co-defendant, Dwayne Gwynn, 35, of the 5800 of Gist Avenue pled guilty to conspiracy to murder.

The co-defendants were scheduled for trial before Judge John C. Themelis when the plea agreement was negotiated. Parker received a total sentence of 40-years in prison, first 5-years without parole, for conspiracy to murder, handgun use in a crime of violence and second-degree murder. Hawks received a sentence of 40-years in prison suspend all but 20-years with 5-years probation for second–degree murder, handgun use in a crime of violence and conspiracy to murder. Hawks was previously convicted of second-degree murder and was released on parole. Dwayne Gwynn will serve 20-years in prison for conspiracy to murder.

Each of the defendants pled to the following facts: the co-defendants were attending a party at the Club International, 2301 W. Baltimore Street on February 11, 2007. Harold Robinson worked at the club as a bouncer. Several persons attending the club became angry at Mr. Robinson after he removed a partygoer for urinating on the dance floor. Later, Gwynn, Hawks and Parker conspired to retaliate. Hawks and Parker entered Club International and randomly fired several shots, fatally injuring Harold Robinson. Two employees of the club fired handguns and chased Hawks and Parker as they attempted to flee the scene. Both were struck and apprehended by police.

Assistant State’s Attorney Diana Smith of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

(Why does the SAO hyphenate so oddly?!)

50 Years for Attempted Murder of Palsied Victim

From the office of the Head Ho Slappa:

Judge Thomas J.S. Waxter sentenced Aaron Speaks, 23, of the 2100 block of N. Guilford Ave today to 50 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder and a concurrent 20 years in prison for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. A Baltimore jury convicted Speaks June 6, 2008. The State had asked for the maximum penalty allowable under law, life in prison plus a consecutive 20 years. Details:

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 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.

Johnnie, This Heroin is SO Enjoyable!

New details from last week's hair-ron raids, including some high-larious wire-tap transcripts, helpfully translated by a DEA officer.

Blotter: an arrest in the murder of Jeffrey Brown; mugged Morgan students.

How Sick Can it Get?

Police: William V. Brown was a drug dealer and serial killer and rapist who cut the ears off a prostitute.

'Deener disabled man sentenced to home detention for kiddie porn

Shot Man Allegedly a Wanted Murderer

The man shot by police this morning in the 1700 block of North Fulton was ID'D by JZ as Emory Lewis, 25, who was wanted in the county for the murder of 22-year-old Felicia Ann Stratley. Turns out Lewis wasn't even the guy they were looking for, they were ISO one Dante Bradford (who was also arrested).
The shot officers have been released from the hospital.

A gal walking in Charles Village at 5:15 a.m. this morning was urgently requested to "Kick out the money."

Two Sheriffs shot in early morning

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that two Sheriff's Deputies were shot in the early morning while serving a warrant. Both are expected to live.

#159

Barry Graham, 24, died following a quadruple shooting this morning in the 700 block of West Lexington. No suspects, no motive.

Also on West Lexingon, stolen property recovered.

Dan Rodricks does some hand-wringing over Roger Shifflett, the guy (allegedly) responsible for the Overlea hostage situation. Every fuckwad is some mother's baby!

Illegal immigrant slavery at the Chinese buffet? Wo bu shi!

#158

Two men shot, one fatally, in front of the Captain James (you know, the restaurant on Boston St. that looks like a big boat). WBAL reports that a fight started inside & got finished on the street. The deceased victim was named as one Lloyd Milton.

To The Piss-Lined Tank from Old Latrobe

Big (or is it Lil?) Harry of the Latrobe Organization got 60 years for three murders.

The statements of William R. "Billy" Ferandes, 17, accused of fatally shooting 16-year-old Joshua Gibson, can be used at trial, a County judge ruled Friday. You may recall that little Billy and friends allegedly picked Gibson at random and shot him to death on the street, for chuckles.

News of the stupid: The Court of Appeals threw out a vehicular manslaughter conviction and 15-year prison sentence because the jury that rendered the guilty verdict hadn't been sworn in.

Local (allegedly) racist development Co Cordish is in agua caliente with the ACLU of Kansas over their "no white t-shirts" policy.
(QTD: “I like the dress code. It’ll keep out the crap.”)

In Annapolis, a double-shooting and the city's 7th murder.

A Reisterstown company got busted and fined for using a fake Orthodox Union kosher certification mark (though after that Iowa-slaughterhouse nastiness, the probably wish they'd stolen somebody else's!)

County police nabbed a PA perv.

Peter Hermann, Baltimore's only crime blogger, received an angry missive from a Boone St. resident.

Aw hellz naw... they got Turkey and Doughboy!

A fatal shooting reported yesterday afternoon in the 1500 block of Wadsworth Way.

A man was reportedly shot twice in the back about noon Tuesday in the 900 block of Belgian Ave. in the Pen Lucy neighborhood.

Drug raid targets named: "Turkey" "Deadeye" and "Doughboy".
... what's your gangsta name?

Evidence collected following a broad search warrant will be permitted at the trial of the Rogers Forge couple accused of starving their toddler to death.

Turns out the guy shot by police in Dundalk just had a BB gun.

The mystery deepens in the case of the missing GMC Acadia

Chang K. Yim, owner of the Linden Liquors, is protesting outside of city hall. (? "Yim handed out a three-page typewritten statement - available, along with other documents, on the Baltimore Crime Blog.")

Enjoy watching foot chases? WBAL's got video!

Two-Standoff Night

Twenty-seven drug raids last night, and only one standoff, at a house where men "often watched pornography on television without bothering to cover their windows." The Sun has pictures (of the raids, silly!)

A double shooting in Druid Heights.

A man was shot and killed by police in Dundalk after barricading himself in a house and waving a gun out the window.

Genius teens try to rob undercover cop

What happened to the impounded GMC Acadia?

Busy blogger Peter Hermann goes to Boone Street, laments Mouse, Wooly and Woo Woo, updates us on the case of the robbed 66-year-old tourist with the herniated disc.

"Police union calls order for foot patrols ‘ridiculous’"

News of the weird: Essex CC student who happened to be carrying $1400 robbed and beaten by attackers, including a man with an "F" carved in his hair

News of the weird II: Thurmont mom who put kids in trunk of car now in trouble for giving teens vodka

Conviction in Dice-Game Shooting

From the SAO:
A Baltimore City jury yesterday convicted Jamal Smith, 20, of the 1800 block of E. Federal St. of attempted first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The jury deliberated approximately five hours after a three-day trial. Judge Robert B. Kershaw scheduled sentencing November 14, 2008. Smith faces a maximum possible prison term of life plus 20 years. Details:

On June 12, 2007 at approximately 1:07 a.m. police responded to the 2000 block of E. Hoffman St. for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival they found the victim lying in the street suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Investigation revealed that the victim, Smith and others were involved in a dice game. The victim and Smith had a dispute over $2 and Smith pulled out a gun, aimed at the victim’s head and shot him one time in the temple area.

Three witnesses positively identified Smith as the shooter via photographic arrays. DNA consistent with the defendant was located on the dice recovered from the scene. The victim remains in the hospital in an unresponsive state as a result of this shooting.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Tonya LaPolla and Bethany Durand of the Firearms Investigation Violence Enforcement (F.I.V.E.) Division prosecuted this case.

Drive-by Mowdown

in East Baltimore injured five ... make that six ... and killed 23-year-old Robert Wilson.
(Thx glt)

What the?! Justin Fenton reports that police- and corrections-officer uniforms were found at the scene of Reginald Carter's murder.

A bevy of stolen stuff in the Blotter, including a 42" TV in Roland Park and an excavating machine removed from a city construction site.

More on that Catonsville stabbing: "The fight involved several men and a variety of weapons, including a metal pole, a knife and a 40-inch wooden sword."
A 40-inch wooden sword?!

The Baltimore County driving instructor who sued "Borat" has had his case tossed out of court.

And now, your quote of the day with Radio host Ron Smith:

If one were to grade the Baltimore state's attorney's office on conviction rates and public relations skills, it would get maybe an F. But if one were to grade State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy and her sidekick spokeswoman Margaret T. Burns on the fine art of political stonewalling - that is, the outright refusal to answer inconvenient questions - the grade would have to be an A+.

Via the Ink, three homicides have been added to the BCrime toll: Andre Harris, Shirley Johnson and Tyrone Bowie.

A man who was shot 13 years ago has died and has been added to the toll.

What Happened at the Barber Shop?

A witness says Homicide Detective Terry Love was "brave" and "doing his job," Jessamy's office says it was criminal assault and endangerment, and Love's lawyer questions the timing of the charges. (Wonder if they were filed before or after Love's EEOC complaint?)

15 Years for Killer of Ashley Bellosi

From the SAO:
Immediately before opening statements were set to begin in his murder trial, Rodney Fray, 39, of the 1800 block of E. Pratt St. [pleaded] guilty to second-degree murder today. Judge Paul Smith sentenced Fray to 30 years in prison, suspending all but 15 years, and five years probation.

On July 7, 2007 at 3:36AM paramedics responded to 817 St. Paul Street Apartment 804 and observed the victim Ashley Bellosi, 23, lying on the bedroom floor inside of her apartment. Bellosi was unconscious and suffering from numerous injuries to the head, neck, torso, and limbs. She was transported to Shock Trauma in critical condition and on July 11, 2007 Bellosi died as a result of her injuries. On July 12, 2007 OCME performed an autopsy on the victim and determined that the cause of death was homicide and the manner of death was blunt force trauma to the victim’s head. A witness positively identified Fray as being the person who fought with the victim and caused her injuries. Fray was Bellosi’s boyfriend and had recently moved into her apartment. After being arrested and read his Miranda rights Fray gave a taped statement admitting to fighting with the victim in the victim’s apartment.

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

Astounding Assholism!

Someone burned down the playground at the 33rd street Y!

TG

... they found that missing little boy, Ramon Richardson! He was with his mom. Probably all a big wacky misunderstanding.

Baltimore teen Shneara Boone was found murdered in Frederick.

Baltimore man went walking in Annapolis, got skull fractured by teenage robbers.

Loyola's seven-year court battle with county residents has finally come to an end, with the school getting to build its retreat.

A gal who talked to the media about the poor condition of city cop cars and lost her contract got $120k

Terrible Tuesday

It wouldn't be Baltimore if someone didn't get shot and killed at least weekly. Here's the most recent homicide, which happened last night.

Steven Darnell Romingo was arrested and
charged with the Saturday-night stabbing death of his girlfriend.

HE's a commended officer, SHE's a known prostitute ... hilarity will ensue when they come together. Or maybe not.

Plenty of other things going on in the blotter. But if it isn't a murder and not on the news it doesn't count...

Homicide is one stat you can't fuck with...

.. or is it, David Simon?
(click for bigger images)

Word

"[The Baltimore Police] make rules and enforce them and don't even know the fuck why ... and when the apocalypse starts, we will be prepared for the breakdown of order."
-- Adam Endres Blender 10/08, "Music from Murderland" p. 56

Knife-Weilding Stoner on the Run

Sean Michael Mapp, 25, left, allegedly produced a knife during a traffic stop on the Key Bridge, evaded a cloud of pepper spray, got shot at, escaped into the woods, left stolen gun, giggleweed behind.

... two teenagers, Michael Earl Redding, 19, and Trinard Terrell Woods, 16, were arrested for robbing a Wendy's in the NW and shooting the manager. They have also been linked to the robber of a 7-11 August 20.

Horrible: Howard man gets 18 months for abusing infant daughter

Two Life Terms for Evil Killer of Mom and Fetus

TDR reports two life terms were handed down for David Miller this morning, convicted of killing Elizabeth Walters and her 28-week-old fetus.
He is the first person to be convicted under MD's "Viable Fetus" law.
UPDATE: More from the Sun

Monday

The Baltimore Sun continues its investigation of the PD's crime lab issues.

The Abell Foundation, over the protests of State's Attorney Jessamy, has released the jury disparity report. Hmm. I wonder where it could be found... Oh, perhaps here? (<-links to .pdf)

The blotter features more behavior of our city's little dears. Tell me, who steals car keys but not the car?

.. and what darlings left their bombs at the playground?

Drive-by in Parkville

Stabbing in Catonsville

Do Not Miss

this article by David Simon in today's Guardian (UK), and thanks to Matthew for sending.

No one asks why police commanders are routinely able to reduce the rates of robbery, or rape, or assault significantly in any time period prior to an election, while the murder rate - in which the victim can't be obscured or clerically "unfounded" - stays as high as ever.

Well, since Bealefeld, the murder rate isn't as high as ever-- why?
(And is it true that a murder victim can't be clerically "unfounded"?)

Toddler Missing as Hurricane* Nears!

A city toddler, Ramon Richardson, (left) went missing from the 1800 block of Milton Avenue after his aunt left him outside, alone.

"In the last of its four public hearings, the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment explored yesterday the risk of innocent people being executed"

Peter Hermann gets into the spirit of blogging in a piece on the Colonial Inn's gaming-machine bust: "here are some random obversations [sic]. Don't ask me what they mean."

Maryland State Police, after a two-year-long-investigation, arrested and charged a Glenn J. Raynor, 39, of HarfCo in connection with a 2006 rape investigation.

Car-repair shop arson in the Deener.

* I should say, alleged tropical storm. The NOAA doesn't appear to be predicting anything but less than an inch of rain.

Police Officers Charged with Assault, Endangerment

Today prosecutors filed a criminal information charging Baltimore Police Detective Terry Love, 31, and Baltimore County Deputy Sheriff Michael Herring, 36, of Towson, with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and dangerous weapon charges. Prosecutors filed the criminal information after a joint law enforcement investigation.

The alleged incident occurred in the early morning of September 8, 2007 at the intersection of Belvedere Avenue and York Road and involves a 42-yr. old black male who was beaten and left unconscious in the road. The maximum penalty under the law is 10 years in prison.

A criminal summons has been issued in these cases and an arraignment is scheduled for October 7, 2008 before the Honorable Sylvester Cox.
-- info from the SAO

18 Shootings this Week

... mapped by Spotcrime.

Five years for Todd Alan Poorman, who allegedly shot his friend to death six times at close range.

Peter Hermann writes about a 66-year-old tourist with a slipped disc robbed in Mt. Vernon.

And a featurette on the John Watch, which, oddly, doesn't include a url or have a link to the blog.
... today the BJW posted a map that makes the high-traffic areas quite clear.

Sperm-Soaked Chihuahuas

... wouldn't commit these kinds of crimes!!

Buried in the Blotter: "A man, 30, was attempting to prevent a gunman from entering his home in the first block of W. 23rd St. about 3 a.m. Wednesday when he was shot in the upper body."
... also, a 13-year-old robbed of shoes and a man robbed of pain pills.

Bmore's making efforts to reduce 911's call volume

A very unusual street robbery in Homeland.

A drive-thru stabbing at the Popeye's chicken in Cockeysville

Cons escape in Queen Anne's County. The bald one is still on the loose.

Wacky: the Iranian government is suing a Baltimore company for damaging $50 million worth of military supplies that were being stored here.

Legislators put new DNA collection regulations on hold

News of the Pervy:
- Touchy teacher Alan Beier will stay in jail in spite of being a target of attacks
- 'Publican pederast and former "Big Brother" Robert McKee is expected to plead guilty to child porn charges.

Fuckwad Holding Hostages

Oh God, another domestic hostage situation. Some asshole has two hostages in Parkville.
Update: Everyone was released unharmed. Phew!

A judge sent Mark Castillo to a psychiatric hospital yesterday.

Bealefeld's canned the commander of the SW, following last weekend's shootathon, and is doing no tail sitting when it comes to the abysmal homicide clearance rate.

Two alleged shooters arrested, one of whom is 16.

WTF?! In PGC, an 8-month-old baby was shot to death!

Buz sez Eddie's has a new item: pistol whip

Stolen in the Northern: iPod, Cadillac, violin, DVDs, coins, etc.

Detoit Mayor to Plead Guilty to Two Felony Counts!!

... and The Detroit Free Press has uplive, streaming video of the whole thing!
We heart the Internets!!
(thanks for the heads-up J!)
... CNN has a better connection.

September 3

"4 killed in 15 weekend shootings in the city" and two more shootings reported last night.

The Ink adds two new names to the toll.

A suspect is at large after robbing a Rite Aid on Security Blvd. and kidnapping an employee.

The Court of appeals has ruled that a prison inmate’s confession to investigators that he molested a child can’t be used against him.

Another "Stop Fucking Snitching" figure is about to get some time. "Tremain Arrnel Tazewell admitted in federal court Tuesday that he worked with a conspirator who bought heroin in New York" (the headline is deceiving, Tazewell faces a max of 20 years but has not been sentenced yet).

New school year, new efforts to increase the peace. (Doesn't Exhibit A have the best covers?!)
And, on John Watch, a fresh hooker 'round the elementary school!

Bail bondsman Valdez V. Fisher Jr.: "an arrestee’s access to freedom is far too immediate and convenient."

Media Blabber: CP on the Sun-related blogs.
Lynn Anderson left journalism and moved to France!

What the?!: Two brothers who ran a Philadelphia funeral home have pleaded guilty to selling corpses to a company that trafficked in stolen body parts, including Alistair Cooke's!
(Insert "Master's Pieces Theatre" joke here)

# 147, # 148

Reports the Sun's Sara Neufeld: Reginald Carter Jr., 20, 400 block of S. Longwood St. at 9:10 p.m last night; unidentified teenager, shot in the chest in the 200 block of S. Woodington Road.
-- correction, this is the same as #146.

What the?! "A Baltimore judge has awarded $275,000 to a Hampden tow truck driver who, after complaining about the wait at the city’s impound lot, was badly beaten by the lot attendant."

In Dundalk, a house burgled, the resident murdered, and the teenage co-defendant is out of jail.

Ew. Former Maryland state delegate Robert A. McKee was charged with possessing child pornography and reportedly will plead guilty.

Did you know? Target has its own crime lab!

A break -in and violation of a protective order in the 4500 block of Keswick, a BB-gun shooting at Robert Poole middle school (mascot, the Fightin' Busbeaters) and a pickpocketed gal at the ESPN Zone in the Blotter.

County detention center all finished... but the lawsuits are just getting started.

Hey, the Court of Appeals has three VJJs now!

Lori Responds!

"Thanks for your interest in my whereabouts. b was a freelance gig and responsibilities at my real job have pulled me away from it. My posts linked to all sources. I can't speak on their transition to print, as in this position, I was strictly a blogger and not a one-woman publishing house.Also, nothing's been removed from the archive http://www.bthesite.com/archives/author/loribarrett/."

A milli!

We reached a million hits sometime this morning! That's kind of a lot
(For a little blog like this, anyway!)

Labor Day

As you enjoy your days off (well, most of you):

A man in his early 20s was fatally shot in the safe and friendly neighborhood of Irvington, making him number 146. Even with the offense, it is worth noting the dramatic dip in homicides in the city, which is exactly what the Examiner did.

Brandon Barfield, a 20-year-old little dear, was arrested for multiple robberies in northeast Baltimore yesterday.

The Blotter for Monday features a shooting, a robbery, and a homicide as an addendum to random nonfatal offenses ...

MD Dept. Juvenile Justice = Huge Mess

Jaw-dropper of the week: "Dwayne Price had been arrested 11 times and had run away from state custody at least once. Yet at the age of 18, the state's juvenile justice system gave him one final chance at rehabilitation." Less than a month later, he'd raped an 88-year-old woman, "the second time Price had raped an elderly woman while supposedly under state supervision." ... and it just goes downhill from there.

Sun blogger Peter Hermann writes about murder victim Tyisha M. Brown. Employs sentence fragments. For drama. Like Rodricks. Likes to.

Bealefeld attributes the record-low homicide rate to "a focus on locking up repeat violent offenders," Dixon's office also credits a city health department mediation program.

Har! Raven/genius Derrick Martin was suspended a game and fined after taking his pot to the airport.

MD news:
In QAC, an 18-year-old is charged with hitting an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old with her car (on purpose)

Hyattsville's Wendy Garcia, age 25, got three years in jail for lying to protect members of the Gang that Saves Trout. Also facing the business end of the long Rod of the law: a bank robber, a gun possessor and a guy who defrauded the Small Business Administration.

Looks Gangsta but Isn't Dept:
Converse pulls "gangsta" shoes

Dr. Dre's son was found dead, cause undetermined

# 145

An unidentified man was found shot to death this morning in East Baltimore in the 900 block of Valley Street. No suspects, no motive.

... and the owner of car-repair shop Joe's Garage shot a would-be robber to death. No word on if the owner will face charges.

Murder suspect Demetrius Smith was let out on $350k bail after being arrested for shooting a witness execution-style in the head, then was arrested for shooting a man during a robbery. Page Croyder's got some choice words for Judge Braverman.

Drugs in the film industry? Get outta here!

Speaking of the CP, this is the last day to vote for BOBs.

Brandon Grimes Guilty of 1st-Degree Murder

From the SA's Office:

A Baltimore City jury convicted Brandon Grimes, 23, of the 800 block of Cator Ave. today of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and wear/carry/transport a handgun. The two-week trial ended yesterday and the jury deliberated approximately four hours over two days before reaching its verdict.

Judge Timothy J. Doory ordered a pre-sentence investigation be completed and scheduled sentencing for October 21, 2008.

In the early morning hours of January 9, 2007 Brandon Grimes fatally shot Baltimore Police Detective Troy Lamont Chesley, Sr. in the 4500 block of Fairfax Rd. as Chesley was returning home from his shift.

Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Wiggins of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

More from the Sun's crime blog and Melissa Harris.

A 22-year-old man was shot to death on the West side.

The death of Ankush Gupta, found in the Harbor, is considered "suspicious."

Officer Tommy Sanders III pleaded not guilty this morning in the death of Edward Lamont Hunt.

What the?! A stadium employee was kidnapped!

Don't miss Page Croyder's blog at the Center for Emerging Media.

13 Shootings This Week

... mapped by Spotcrime.

And girl-on-girl robbery action on St. Paul Street.

Correction: Jayne Miller is Not a Biter

Van Smith of the CP tells us that Jayne has been on the Tillman tip for a while. Unlike Lori Barrett, she is not a biter. We hear she's also quit smoking! Yay Jayne!
BCrime regrets the error.

ps., right before the CP's article appeared, Lori Barrett went "on vacation" and hasn't been heard from since.

"Die Bitch Die"

Yike, Baltimore John Watch reports that a working girl was attacked by a tall, skinny man with "calcium deposits" on his face.

Media Blabber

WBAL= total biters!
Not long after the City Paper published court documents re. the Tillman raids, the NBC affiliate is patting itself on the back for "obtaining" them.
I guess clicking on a .pdf is strenuous if you smoke as much as Jayne Miller does!
Here's much more on the Tillman antics from the News Hole.

Also a biter: Lori Barrett of "b"

Don't miss CP's story from last week on the Sun's miseries.

Will Brandon Grimes go free again? "A city crime lab employee left his own DNA on the pistol police say Brandon Grimes used to kill an off-duty Baltimore police officer, according to testimony during Grimes' murder trial this morning." And also, ew.

In Rockville, "Ex-Teacher Charged With Giving Students Cocaine"!
It's a hell of a drug!

The new "Baltimore Crime Beat" column is on the arrest in the 1986 murder of wino Charlie Neeper

A guy who had his azz beat by county police after they accused him of stealing his own car is suing for $850k

Baltimore City Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector (5th District) got a lucky break when the officer who issued her that disappearing traffic ticket somehow never got a summons.

Busy-handed octogenarian urologist survives plane crash, gets busted with doobage

Afternoon...

A 16 year old boy suffered from a nonfatal offense when he was shot last night in Northeast Baltimore.

Who will test the testers? Apparently the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board will.

In a twist of irony beyond hilarity, Anthony P. Wallnofer wrote the rule he's accused of allegedly breaking. You'd figure he'd have been smart enough to draft a loophole...

Daily Blotter, where it notes $30 worth of soft drinks stolen in Pikesville. What, tap water wasn't good enough for you?

Anna Ditkoff tracks the murders in Baltimore as few others can do, noting two from this past week in the process.

#142

Ink: former professional boxer Eddie VanKirk, 45, was shot by a crackhead on November 19 of last year and died on June 22 of this year; his death has been ruled a homicide.

Grand jury: "bupe" safe, effective

State police: let's just throw out that ACLU lawsuit, shall we?

Harley David, son of a bitch*!
*anyone who gets that reference gets major points!

Fan-freaking-tastic: Issues at the BPD crime lab may be a factor in the case of little dear Brandon Grimes.

Crooked government officials working in Baltimore? Kind sir, surely you jest!

Holy Pasta Fagioli! 5,000 gallons of Olive Oil spilled into the harbor and had to be cleaned up last night.

"Would you like my wallet to go with that pepperoni?"

And our daily crime blotter tells us what it is to be malicious, criminal, and male...

This Kitten Has Claws

Miss Washington County was arrested for breaking into her ex's home and punching his new girlfriend.
(thanks again J!)

August 25, 2008

Albert Edward Driscoll III was shot to death on a boat in Sparrow's Point. Mysterious!

A man and a woman shot in the NW

A follow-up on the six-year-old who was shot on Saturday.

Tragic: Lt. Gov. Brown's cousin was shot to death on Saturday by her crazed ex-boyfriend.

News of the hilarious: North Jersey ninjas take on drug dealers, end up in pokey
(thanks J!)

LOLZ!

BJW is putting the "fun" in "funky corner hookups"!

A six-year-old was wounded by a stray bullet in the NE.

In PGC, a 12-year-old was killed by teenagers playing with a shotgun.

Oh, that Judge Motz, once again making an example of a man condemned from birth to join the Bloods and firebomb houses. Everybody just wants to pick on poor Terrence!

Child killer Mark Castillo: I did it and I'm not crazy

Snoop says she never got the summons to appear as a murder witness.

Look Who's Blogging Too

Gus G. Sentementes on the happenings at the Sun

Look Who's Blogging Now

The Sun has a new crime blog. Their blogger's previous experience is most apt-- covering the Middle East!
Fill in the blank: the main difference between the Middle East in Baltimore and the one where the ferners live is______

August 22

Two shootings last night, one of them killed a 28-year-old man.
The past week's 11 shootings mapped by Spotcrime.

The woman found strangled in Herring Run Park was id'd: "Kiuna Jackson, 19, of the 1300 block of Windemere Ave. in the Ednor Gardens-Lakeside community had no criminal record or associations with criminals."

"Snoop" was "arrested on minor drug charges yesterday after police picked her up for refusing to cooperate as a witness in a murder trial, records show." Her bail review will be at 11 a.m. today at Central Booking.

Issues with crime lab contamination "sure to arise in court"

Docs: Fractured Hyoid Bad for Health

City health officials are holding an emergency meeting Friday to discuss the slayings of prostitutes as a public health issue.
Janis reports that 26 women linked to prostitution have been murdered since 1997. Only six of those cases have been closed by arrest. Since April, five prostitutes have been strangled to death.
The latest victim, still unidentified, was found in Herring Run Park six days ago.

Murder #141

Eric Brown, 20, shot last night.