Guilty pleas for adult abuse

From the SAO:

Moments before jury selection was about to begin, and with 100 potential jurors in the courtroom ready to begin voir dire, (a preliminary screening process for potential jurors) Sharon Jones, 26, of the 400 block of W. Franklin Avenue and Tia Sewell, 27, of the 5100 block of Darien Road pled guilty to first-degree vulnerable adult abuse.

Judge David Ross ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for December 28, 2009. Under terms of the plea agreement, announced in open court, Jones and Sewell will face a cap of no more than six years in prison at sentencing. The state will argue for the full six years.

Sharon Jones and Tia Sewell admitted to the negligent care of their mother, April Montford, 40. Ms. Montford sustained severe injuries to her lower abdomen and legs resulting in bed sores, gangrenous open wounds and dehydration. She died March 14, 2008. The medical examiner ruled Montford’s death a homicide as a result of a 1985 gunshot wound. That gunshot wound left her a paraplegic.

Jones and Sewell each posted $75,000 bail in March 2008 and remain released pending sentencing. Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Burrell of the Felony Family Violence Division prosecuted this case.

20 years for drugs, 7 years for murder of baby

Baltimoreiffic.
From the SAO:

Today the Honorable Judge Wanda Keys Heard sentenced Freddie Jackson, 47, of the 1500 block of N. Montford Street to 20 years in prison for distribution of heroin and 20 years for possession with intent to distribute heroin to be served concurrently.

A Baltimore city jury convicted Jackson on May 1, 2009 based on the following facts of the case: On July 1, 2008 at 4:30 PM in the 2500 block of East Biddle Street, undercover detectives observed Jackson conduct three suspected narcotics transactions. Officers observed Jackson selling suspected CDS from a nearby “ground stash.” When officers stopped Jackson they recovered the stash and found it to contain five gel caps of heroin and $268 in cash were on his person. At the time of these events, Jackson had a total of 10 prior controlled dangerous substance and battery convictions. He was on probation following his release from prison in March 2008 for a 2001 conviction for child abuse resulting in the death of his eight month old son in case number 100167020. Jackson is backing up 18 years in the pending violation of probation.

What are they thinking?

This abortion-disclaimer bill thing is just weird. How could that stand up to any kind of legal challenge, requiring a business to post services it doesn't provide? Prohibiting the dispersal of false medical information would make sense, or requiring a center to clearly identify its religious affiliation, maybe. But a disclaimer?
And why is Planned Parenthood worried about abortion access in Baltimore city? It's not exactly South Dakota.
All very odd.

Cardapalooza

The mayor's trial resumes, with testimony from a housing authority employee who pleaded guilty this year to stealing cards from her honor's trove, and developer Patrick Turner, who bought cards, he says, as a charitable gift for the "children of Baltimore," but never got a thank-you note. (What about a receipt so he could write off the donation?)

Hermann: "Sad tableaux play out in court"

Have you seen Damon Dameo Gray, 17 "recently released from jail on an unrelated crime ... wanted for the attempted murder of a 17-year-old on October 21"

Pigtown

The battle rages on in Pigtown as residents take on prostitutes, johns, drug dealers and even each other.

201

A violent weekend leaves the city at 201 murders, victims at the 1900 block of E. Lanvale St., the 2900 block of Garrison Blvd., and a 45-year-old man in a wheelchair shot in a home invasion in West Baltimore.

Teacher of Jason Madison/ Mattison, killed by Dante/ Donte Parrish, writes a letter to Peter Hermann

194 - 197

Two homicides last night:
Sammie McCullough, Jr., 36, 1200 block of North Avenue, and an unidentified man in the 5100 block of Arbutus Avenue
and two more on Thursday: Michael Anthony McFadden, 51, 2000 block of W. Lanvale St.
and an unidentified man in the 3600 block of Gelston Drive

and yes, looks like the man The Innocence Project freed was that Dante Parrish.

Steala Dixon's new BF took the stand, called their relationship "very challenging."

Slumlord Watch: Accused pit-bull-burning brothers kept their dogs in a vacant house.
Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17, of S. Pulaski Street were indicted on five counts of animal abuse and cruelty on Friday.

Baltimore PoliceDept Shooting,2400 Druid Hill, adult male shot
25 minutes ago via Twitter
Baltimore PoliceDept Shooting, Alameda/ Crestlyn, juv shot in leg
26 minutes ago via Twitter
Baltimore PoliceDept Shooting, 5100 Arbutus Av, adult male shot
3 hours ago via Twitter

Ten years for a "pimp" and "bottom" who trafficked underage girls on Craigslist, city streets and a truck stop

Former prison guard Terry Robe pleads guilty to attempting to smuggle heroin and cell phones into prison

Police merger in the works

MTA police and MdTA will soon be the....MdTTA?

Nobody don't know nothing

TG!! Dante Parrish was arrested at a local 7-11

Dixon's defense: I thought those gift cards were for me!
Meanwhile, law students relish spectacle of attorneys in action

Did 911 operator and police mishandle calls about the truck that later killed Miriam Frankl?

UM researcher Carrie John died of allergic reaction, not bupe OD

Alleged car thief's dad: "The boys don't know nothing" about Annie McCann's death

Want a swine flu shot? Get yourself arrested!

Media Blabber

Editorial correction of the day (not crime, but too funny)

Not sexy

A new sketch of the bus-stop rapist ... Stan Stovall!?

Dante Parrish is still out there

"Md. Inmates Wash 6,000 Donated Bras ... It's something of an experience for men who have been locked up for years. Some told WJZ they haven't seen a bra in a really long time."

Dispatches

The deputy mayor's letter to the McCanns

"Drug prosecutions suffer after detective is accused of embezzlement"

Mark Hughes' readers: Baltimore violence is "a tragedy and a failure. False equivalence, and talk about crab cakes and neighbourhood restaurants, can't mask it."

Will the Dixon jury hear about a third source of gift cards? And even if the gift cards weren't stolen, should the mayor be hitting up developers for donations to her church in the first place?

Dante Parrish Wanted

For sex assault and murder of 15-year-old Jason Madison Jr.
The news alert was deactivated at around 5:30 p.m., possibly indicating he's been apprehended
UPDATE: as of 10 a.m. 11/12, he is still out there, and was convicted of murder in 2000.

92Q Hearts Felon

Chris Beat-her-down Brown coming to town
Shame on you, 92Q!

Brooklyn score card

Apartment manager 1, drug dealers 0.

"Jewish medics claim discrimination by Pikesville Volunteer Fire Co."
.. the fire co says masks won't fit over beards

Harvard students to earn class credit for watching "The Wire"

Last week's four murders in the Ink

"Sniper executed with lethal precision"

Learn about informing the public

"A group of Iraqi police officers and representatives from the Pentagon are scheduled to visit with Baltimore police next month to learn about informing the public about crime and interacting with residents."
Lesson one: give lip service to transparency, but routinely ignore media requests, or charge exorbitant fees for public documents and/ or stall responses for years.
2. Fire officers who talk to the press and
3. Grant your department the sovereign right to police itself.

Grim

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Police believe the 15-year old boy found yesterday stabbed to death in a closet had been sexually assaulted.

... more from the Sun

Conviction for Murder Over Cardboard

From the SA's O:

November 10, 2009 – Today a Baltimore City jury convicted Edward Thornton, 55, of the 1900 block of Broadway of second-degree murder and wear/carry a dangerous weapon. The jury reached its verdict after deliberating approximately two hours after hearing two days of testimony.

Judge David W. Young ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for January 7, 2010. Thornton faces a maximum possible penalty of 33 years; 30 years for the murder count and three years for the weapons count.

On September 18, 2008 in the unit block of West Pratt Street, Edward Thornton and Helen Reightler, 43, were involved in a verbal dispute over a piece of cardboard. Thornton, who was homeless, slept on the piece of cardboard. As the argument escalated, Thornton produced a knife and stabbed Reightler in the neck. Medics transported Ms. Reightler to Shock Trauma for treatment but she succumbed to her injuries on September 29, 2008 at Sinai Hospital.

Annie McCann Indictments

Two teens indicted for theft of Annie McCann's parents' Volvo.
Backstory from Hermann and the Post

Three shootings in the Blotter

Bykowicz and Linskey on the opening of Dixon's theft trial

VA is, of course, executing the sniper tonight.
Sniper's ex wife: I made kids watch "all the television coverage, all the documentaries, everything"

Administrative mess lets three-time felon and accused car thief go free

"Charges dropped against accused brothel operator"

A man shot during an alleged armed robbery in Towson

A purse stolen at the Sigma Chi haunted house

Arabbers' horses to be confiscated by health officials

$7 million man

Jessamy's office just announced the 24 cout indictment of George Sybert, who is alleged to have stolen a cool $7 million. Apparently this is not the first time Sybert has been in hot water.

Wednesday is expungement day

It's a ritual in lower Park Heights, when residents seek help to get uncharged arrests off their records.

Two homicides over the weekend

An officer shot a police dog named Blade

Mayor prefers tree to Brit reporter, over the pond, Justin Fenton hot on the trail of a suspicious bike-rider and a man with a vegetable knife"

Update from Dixon trial

Dixon's second trial date on perjury charges has been set.

The mayor's trial kicks off today: the hottest ticket in town!
... she's officially entered a plea of 'not guilty.'

Two Baltimoreans accused of sexual assault at the Maryland School for the Deaf.

Baltimore PoliceDept BPD establishes 24/7 custom tip line for rape suspect. Public leads have assisted detectives. Anyone with information pls call 888-223-0033

Paying the Bills

Who's going to pay for Dixon's seven lawyers?
ps. trial starts Monday.

Should perps serve an extra 10 - 30 years in jail for being members of a gang?

Police are ISO a man who opened fire on a couple in a Ford pickup

Strange but true dept.:
Mark Hughes: the UK injects addicts with heroin twice a day

Md's got a new body scanner, and they call it the BOSS. (How I wish I could un-read: "he excreted a small cell phone and stomped on it")

In Calvert Co.: alleged daughter exhumes dad to prove paternity

Media Blabber: "The changing picture of local TV newscasts"

Rapist sketch

have you seen this guy?

More on Clay

A congressional "inquiry" has been made into the death of Robert Clay.

Pip pip old bean

Fenton blogs from London

"Victims, Relatives To View Sniper Execution"
Accused sniper: "all you police and prosecutors can stand-down-’rushing’ to murder this innocent black man"

Policarpio Espinoza Perez and Adan Espinoza Canela seek a third murder trial from the Court of Special Appeals

Helen Holton gets a stay

Robberies in Guilford and Charles Village, a stolen leaf blower, yet another robbery in the 300 block of E. University Parkway.

$4500 for police escort to Miami?

I hope they stood by her beach chair, oiled and flexing

Why so murderous?

The New Yorker asks, "Why is American History so Murderous?"

An off-duty Baltimore police officer shot a man who stabbed him at a strip club in Dundalk

City settles suit over 17 'rogue' officers on the East Side SET team; Daily Record now charging $165.36 for online access

County police officer Parker, shot during a deadly encounter in Overlea is doing “fine”, suspect is still dead

Trial postponed for man accused of beating 66-year-old Franklin Schissler to death in the bathroom of Morsberger’s Tavern in Catonsville

In AAC, Baltimore man convicted of double murder throws candy bar wrapper on floor

Sentencing commission: terms for fraud getting longer

188, 189

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Joseph Leegreen Taylor, 28, and Allen Mark Johnson, 32, both shot to death in cars.

More on the five shootings last night

Another sexual assault

.. near a bus stop early this morning.

Five shootings yesterday

Pretty busy for a Tuesday

Last week's three murders in the Ink

Prison guard accused of smuggling cell phone gets real bail. Go Prevas!

Hellz yes, you should be able to get wine in the mail.

Media Blabber: The Sun's parent company is going to try to go AP-free next week. Will that mean no international news, and national news only from LA or Chicago? That'll be one thin paper!

The people on the mayor

A few days before Dixon's trial, city residents weigh in on the Mayor's legal woes. "We'd already be locked up"

"Last year the police charged nearly 55,000 people. Of these nearly 10,000 were declined by the prosecutor. A further 15,000 needed substantive changes. That means that in a signifcant number of cases the police were not doing their job properly when it came to charging suspects"

25 years for man who stabbed pregnant babymom

Today the Honorable Judge Gale Rasin sentenced Morris J. Pettigrew, 20, of the 2600 block of Frederick Avenue to 25 years in prison for the April 19, 2008 non-fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, under indictment number 208179002. A Baltimore City jury convicted Pettigrew of false imprisonment, first and second -degree assault and reckless endangerment on September 15, 2009. Judge Gale Rasin sentenced Pettigrew to 15 years in prison for false imprisonment, 20 years suspend all but 10 years, with five years of supervised probation for first degree assault. This sentence is to be served consecutive to the 15 year sentence, for a total of 25 years incarceration. The state requested a 20 year sentence for each crime to be served consecutively. Upon release, Pettigrew is to be on probation for five years during which time he is to have no contact with the victim or her son and he must successfully complete a batterer’s program at the House of Ruth or similar program.

At today’s hearing, the victim provided an impact statement in court. Judge Rasin recognized her courage in coming forward to save herself and her child from Pettigrew’s control. Based on the new conviction, Pettigrew also faces a violation of probation hearing on November 17, 2009 before Judge Shirley Watts for a second-degree sex offense which he pled guilty to in 2003.

The victim testified to the following facts of the case. The woman and her 8-year old son went to visit Pettigrew at his residence in the 2600 block of Frederick Avenue on April 19, 2008. During the visit Pettigrew became agitated with the woman because she did not want to move back in with him. The victim testified that initially she did not call the police because she was in fear for the safety of her 8-year old son. Pettigrew then took a knife and stabbed her in the right upper back. The victim testified that even though she began to bleed profusely, Pettigrew refused to allow her seek medical assistance, instead he continued to make repeated threats to her, forcing her and their young son to accompany him various places, holding them hostage. Finally, on April 22, 2008 in the early morning hours while Pettigrew slept, the victim was able to call 911. Medic #1 responded and transported the woman to University of Maryland, Shock Trauma. As result of the attack, the victim who was 24 weeks pregnant sustained a bruised lip, broken rib (right side) and a stab wound on the rear right shoulder.

Work that, lemme see you drip sweat

Baltimore PoliceDept: 2403 PICKERING, ADULT MALE SHOT WHILE SEATED IN CAR

Baltimore PoliceDept's Photos you'd rather not see - Ray Lewis Works out with Baltimore Police. None my business, but this free Israeli rifle training sounds slightly less humiliating.

Joseph Bonds entered an Alford plea from alleged murderer of former police commissioner Hamm's stepdaughter Nicole Sesker.

Rough housing.

Oh how I hate these stories: in Essex, mom's 21-year-old boyfriend arrested for murdering toddler, boyfriend says he was just "rough housing"

Rapist(s) Afoot

Five rapes in four days and eight over two weeks, mostly near bus stops in the early-morning hours.

Trial expected to get underway today for teen twins accused of setting dog on fire

188 months in prison for man who brought 80 kgs of cocaine and 100 gallons of PCP to MD

69 months in jail for David Cooley, who stole govmint checks out of the mail

Two charged in HoCo Halloween party shootings

Buz on the problems with drunk driving laws

"Neighbourhood"! "Churlish!" Oh, that's adorable. It's like a crime walk with Kipper!

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Eric Cromwell, shot in July, has been added to the toll

More on the case of Elda Vasquez Adorno, the lady down the manhole

A shooting and an officer pushed down the stairs in the blotter

Today's courthouse happenings from the SAO's office (links added):

Jabiera Handy is scheduled to appear at 11 am in Judge Nance, room 404 Courthouse East for 2nd degree murder in the death of her grandmother, Eunice Taylor, 69.

Lamont Davis is scheduled to appear in Judge Nance at 2 pm for the attempted murder of the 5 year old victim [Raven Wyatt] in a Southwest Baltimore neighborhood.

Thomas Meighan is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing at 2 pm in Judge Fletcher-Hill, room 464 Courthouse West.

Dajuan Marshall and Kedar Anderson are scheduled to appear at 2 pm in room 600 Courthouse West for gang related charges.

"Filings up; judges down in Baltimore County"

"Only a Scrooge would wonder why Whiting-Turner's donation for citywide recreation programs, was used, instead, on a mayor's inauguration party."

It was the best of times...

Link to the reporter-exchange blog, "A Tale of Two Cities"

Background checks

Should the city's homeless be banned from housing assisstance if they have a criminal record? Some adovcates say no, but the housing authority disagrees.

Baltimore = Knackered Loo

How about this reporter exchange?

Blame it on the a a a a a a alcohol

This just in: you don't need white drugs to make a total mess of your life.

Another Halloween in Baltimore

Lots of crazy cats in the county...

A love triangle turned Workplace murder suicide in Eastpoint.

Followed by a police involved shooting in which a officer was shot.

In better news, a whopping 6 people were arrested
for the murder of a Liquor Store owner.

Meanwhile in City news...

A city man recieved 40 years for an attempted murder in Columbia.

The news looks even worse for a man who suffered a seizure after swallowing drugs in a police raid. Word of advice: Remember it's not worth it, your in Baltimore City, the odds are in your favor that you will be in little to no trouble.

And in final City News, a convicted killer is caught with a gun on Mangold St.

And as a little Halloween reminder, make sure It's candy that you're eating, because there are more and more Ecstasy Traffickers these days.

Part II of stop snitching, philly style

Two more homicides

... a man stabbed on Edmonson Avenue and a man shot on the 24th who died.

A fine for Robert Lipscomb, an apology, some community service and a "my wife is truly a great person."

30 years after he plead guilty to sexually abusing two Baltimore girls, George Ogle finaly earned a spot on a sex offender registry. The move was a little late for the two additonal victims he is now charged with molesting in West Virginia.

No cheers for cheerleaders

The liquor board votes to shut down Cheeleaders, the Fells Point bar raided by County police.

Pleas by new managment apparently failed to dissuade.

"Legal obstacles make justice slow in Hopkins student Frankl's death"

Yes! We Have No Abortions

Linskey: "Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate filled Baltimore City Council chambers for a contentious hearing on legislation that would require pregnancy counseling clinics that do not provide abortion services to post signs indicating that policy."

Mayor says she can attend trial, run city

The Ink has more info on last week's murders

Who owns Electrocash?

Dang! Crazy flipped car on Calvert St

Tire-flattening judge must apologize

Catholic diocese of Savannah to pay $4.2 million settlement to victim of priest convicted of molesting two Maryland boys

Stop sntiching philly style

Shot in the head, left for dead, still Maurice Ragland could not be scared off the witness stand.

16-year-old arrested for shooting 14-year-old

FYI

Yale law: Right-to-carry laws don't reduce crime, and are statistically associated with increase in aggravated assaults.

Media Blabber

"Riding the Internet Crime Wave"

Whatthe?! 21 motor-vehicle convictions? A four-and-a-half hour wild ride and a pee break? Mind = blown!

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A suspiciously dead body found behind a house in Winchester.

Man stabbed multiple times on the East side at around 8 p.m. tonight. Different incident than the person stabbed to death at 5 a.m. in CHUM.

Did the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center violate state law by isolating juveniles for long periods of time?
Also see "Is Solitary Confinement Torture?" .. and Ppatin's comments.

Heart-warming, yet stomach-churning: Lawyers step in to help victim impregnated by aunt's boyfriend

Hey whaddayaknow, that furry-moobed guy who threatened Keith Daniels with a shotgun was telling the truth-- he really isn't Thomas Meighan Jr.! The actual Meighan is still in the can and has only been charged with traffic violations so far. WTF? "Witnesses told police that after that accident, he drove to Northeast Baltimore, where he struck an SUV on Bel Air Road, and ran from the scene of that crash."

Unfortunate Day for Baltimore Police

An off duty county officer is killed in a tragic motorcycle accident.

In less tragic but still unfortunate Baltimore police news, a off-duty officer pointed a gun at a House of Screams employee dressed as "leatherface."


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And the news keeps getting weirder as a man in drag was found stabbed to death today in the 1500 block of Montpelier St. Baltimore police have not yet identified the victim.

Undutiful

According to city councilwoman Belinda Conaway, a whole lot of city residents skip jury duty, which is why she's calling council hearing on the subject her father vowed to probe two weeks ago.

Amy Castillo tells her story to Tricia Bishop

more details on the arrest of the man charged with killing Hopkins student Miriam Frankl.

Boozehound Arrested

for Hopkins hit-and-run

Bad education

Horribleness. Glen Burnie man convicted of killing his 8-year-old stepson in Japan

Shawn Stokes, aka "Mother of 14-year-old shot by officer" says her son had dropped his gun... and Sun readers are puh-issed (thx non)

A dorm-room pervert at MICA

Police dept. attorney who also found time to moonlight as a criminal defense lawyer has resigned from her BPD job

Check out the piles of files at the domestic violence unit

Sonja Sohn using "The Wire" as teaching tool.

Math is Hard!

Were hundreds of criminals given the wrong sentences because lawyers messed up a basic work sheet?

A few Baltimore city pols think the BPD needs a makeover, after the resignation of EEOC chief Kim Johnson

Gay-inclusive hate-crimes bill has passed the Senate

Juvenile shot by police

Baltimore PoliceDept P/O Involved Shooting-700 Blk Lexington St-Juvenile male shot in the stomach

The BPD's EEOC director resigned this morning, after a fake memo was planted in the EEOC file of an African-American officer.

20 Years for Couple Who Shot Hotel Worker

From the SAO:

At a sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Paul Smith sentenced Darryl Newsome, 20, of the 900 block of North Bradford Street and Keya Gardner, 24, of the 800 block of N. Montford Avenue to 35 years suspend all but 20 years in prison and 30 years suspend all but 20 years in prison, respectively for attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault. Judge Smith also ordered both defendants to serve five years probation upon their release. The state had asked for life prison terms.

A Baltimore jury convicted Newsome and Gardner May 12, 2009.

Witnesses testified that on October 24, 2007 Keya Gardner got into a heated argument with Sean Levy, 21, while they were both working at the BWI Hilton. Shortly after the argument witnesses testified they overheard Gardner talking on her phone telling someone to “bring that thing.” Witnesses believed Gardner was referring to a gun. The state presented evidence proving that phone conversation was with Darryl Newsome, the boyfriend of Keya Gardner.

Because of the argument, Gardner and the victim were told by management to leave for the night. The victim went to his vehicle with another co-worker. During that time witnesses saw Darryl Newsome arrive in a silver vehicle with three unknown persons. Witnesses testified they heard Gardner speak to Newsome and point out Sean Levy to Mr. Newsome. Shortly after Gardner got into her vehicle with another co-worker. Sean Levy also got in his vehicle with a different co-worker to take that co-worker home. Witnesses reported Gardner began to follow the victim in her car. A high speed chase ensues along the I295 northbound corridor into Baltimore. Eventually, as they arrived near their destination, the victim reports that as he made a right turn. Gardner was unable to follow him. Witnesses then saw the same silver vehicle Darryl Newsome was driving earlier turn down the same street. As Sean Levy was parking his car he and witnesses saw the silver car pull up. Darryl Newsome then got out on the passenger side of the vehicle and began shooting at Sean Levy and his car. Sean Levy was shot multiple times in the upper torso and is now paralyzed from the waist down.

More from blogger Twinlova

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Man killed outside of Eastside BP station

The Ink on last week's five murders

The CP has more on the lawsuit against correctional officer and alleged Bloods member Antonia Allison
and notes that Jefferey Anderson has moved to The Washington Times, :(, where he continues to cover government-sponsored groups with close gang ties that may or may not be effective.

The Belvedere's Suite Ultralounge is padlocked.

Stealing from a yeshiva, oh no! The assistant principal, no less! Writes the SAO,

At arraignment yesterday, Jay Kenneth Wagner, 32, of the 3400 block of Labyrinth Road pled guilty to continuing theft. Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Wagner to a suspended two-year prison term and two years probation. Wagner paid $13,717 in restitution in court yesterday.

Between January 18, 2007 and May 19, 2009 stole over $13,717 from Maimonides Academy/Yeshivat Rambam School. Wagner worked as assistant principal at the school. The theft was discovered by the school and involved a series of school checks taken by Wagner which were either cashed or deposited into his account. Assistant State’s Attorney and Economic Crimes Division Chief Elizabeth Ritter prosecuted this case.

'Shotgun?'

is this classy Sykesville resident Miriam Frankl's killer?

More on the Cherry Hill triple shooting that injured teens: "It's ridiculous, and for whoever did this, there's a real place called hell. Hell will be their home."

County police are ISO "ARMED and DANGEROUS" Bryan Sheppard, age 16

Annie McCann's parents want to know why charges weren't filed against the men who stole her car.

DNA implicates suspect in '80s rapes

Cars set on fire at Koons Collision Center off of Belair Road

Dumped

3 DPW employees have been busted and charged with illegally dumping while on the clock

A triple shooting last night in Cherry Hill

Good reading: "Fellow Inmates Ease Pain of Dying in Jail"

City to take more land for casino

Who says torts are dull? Jon & Kate, funky chicks and dirty movies in this week's TDR MD law roundup.

15 years

... for man who bit a chunk of his "girlfriend's" nose off.
From the SAO:

Bowers pled guilty September 8, 2009 to first-degree assault.
On September 27, 2008 police responded to the 300 block of South Street for a domestic assault call. Upon arrival the officer observed the victim with a paramedic; she was bleeding profusely from the nose and holding gauze to her nose in an effort to stop the bleeding. The officer asked the victim to remove the gauze pads and he observed that 1/4 to 1/2 of the victim’s nose was missing.  She reported that she and her former boyfriend, Darrel Bowers, were having a dispute over a house key that she had lent to him. During the course of the argument the victim told police that Bowers bit her in the nose so hard that he bit a portion of it off. Photographs were taken of the victim’s injuries and to date, she has had to reconstructive plastic surgeries, and will require several more.

Hollins homicide

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"Man shot on Hollins St. is city's 181st homicide" ... update: he was ID'd as Brock Tatum, 21

Man charged with with conspiracy to manufacture, possess or distribute a destructive device after setting off homemade "Drano bomb" on city bus.

The justice dept. has issued a new medical marijuana policy

City cop suspended for raising his voice at COMSTAT meeting is reinstated. Meanwhile the mayor has promised to investigate fake evidence planted in the officer's EEOC case file.

Barricade situation this morning

A reader listening to county police radio at 2:30 this morning reported a barricade situation last night in Owings Mills:

Though he wasn't mentioned by name, they referred to him
as the  just demoted police major from Baltimore  city. It was a pretty extensive thing, a staging area was set up at a local school, negotiators brought in, requests for floor plans of the house he was in and calling some friend of his from Rodgers Forge  to come and try to talk to him ... The original call was for a "suicidal suspect" and the address was on Eiderdown Ct,, 21117.

Unconfirmed reports ID the barricaded officer as a former deputy major from the central district.
Says a source, "The standoff started around 1:30 a.m. and lasted until 11:30 a.m.; he had to be Tased and was taken to a hospital."

Hit-and-run truck found... but not the driver

Hopkins student killed

Miriam Frankl, a 20-year-old Hopkins student struck by a hit-and-run driver at University and St. Paul, has died. Police are looking for a white Ford F-250 pickup with Maryland tag number 94W412.

The killing of a killer...

A man was stabbed to death Wednesday in city lockup, as he was awaiting trial for the murder of Antron Betts.

In better news, two have been arrested and two more are being sought in the murder of a county man.

Those Canadians sure are crafty, because today a man got 45 years in prison after Canadian police recognized glasses and beer in a child porn video as being from America.

And finally a TTP bloods member accused of stabbing and shooting a witness pled guilty in federal court the other day. But he is not going to be sentenced until April 2010, wtf?

Leading & Bleeding

Does "the media" give residents an outsize impression of the city's crime issues?
The mayor (and the running festival's coordinator) think so.

Officer suspended for raising his voice at meeting complained that dogs in his K-9 unit were denied treatment to force his ouster.

Gunman at large

A gunman who shot two people Thursday day morning at the Penn North subway station is still at large, for now

This just in ...

"Maryland’s highest court on Wednesday decided the buttocks are an 'intimate area,' but reversed a sex-offense conviction for lack of evidence that the man who allegedly touched a child’s backside in the toy section of the Hagerstown Goodwill store did so for his own gratification."


... home burglaries & robberies in the Northern = brazen and shameless. Lock up and be prepared!

If your GPS is stolen

Re-key your house STAT! Fox reports car break-in thieves are finding houses to rob by looking up home addresses on the devices.
ps., better yet, don't leave your GPS device in the car in the first place.

If you've got a briefcase full of money...

Theft from Auto – 3400 Block N. Calvert St. – Union Memorial Hospital – On Oct 14th at 11:30 PM, a non affiliate’s vehicle was broken into through the passenger window, a brief case containing money was taken by person(s) unknown. Baltimore City police responded.

Also, you may want to consider moving if:

• 300 Blk. E. University Pkwy (north side) - On Oct. 13th between 6:15 PM, and 6:30 PM, a JHU graduate reported that an unknown person(s) entered his apartment via an open 3rd floor rear bedroom window and removed his laptop.  Baltimore Police responded.  Investigation continuing.


• 300 Blk. E. University Pkwy (north side) - Between Oct. 13th at 10:00 PM, and Oct. 14th at 1:00 AM, a JHU junior reported that an unknown person(s) entered his apartment via a 2nd floor rear bedroom window and removed his laptop.  Investigation revealed that entry had been gained by removing a window air conditioner.  Baltimore Police responded.   Investigation continuing.


• 300 Blk. E. University Parkway (south side) – On October 8th between 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM, currency was taken from an undergraduate’s 3rd floor bedroom.  Entry had been gained via an unlocked rear 3rd floor window.  Baltimore Police responded.  Investigation continuing.


• 300 Blk. E. University Parkway (north side) – On October 8th between 10:00 PM to 11:24 PM, a laptop computer and a MAC book were taken from two 2nd floor bedrooms.  Entry had been gained via a unsecured front window that leads to the roof of the front porch.  Baltimore Police responded.  Investigation continuing.

- From JHU security via SpotCrime

Judge says an inmate's suit against city correctional officer can go forward-- the suit claims guard Antonia Allison was a member of the Bloods who brought rival gang-member inmates onto the victim's tier and opened his cell door so other inmates could beat and stab him.

Juvenile services officials "peppered" with questions in Annapolis about the effectiveness of GPS monitoring

Shiz! Three members of the BPD have come down with the hamthrax! Tweets the dept., "2 of 3 officers affected hv been cleared by docs to return to work."

Mark Castillo Pleads Guilty

... while jury selection was still underway, Castillo pleaded guilty to murdering his three children, Anthony, Austin and Athena, and received three life sentences without parole.
Amy Castillo to JZ: "I've lost my husband and three children ... Jesus .. has given me the power to forgive."
Are we nuts, or does it sound like she's still in love with him?!
Update: more horrible details in the Sun story, and a PDF of the statement of facts, which you should not read.

Three shootings in three minutes!

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Three unrelated shootings in three minutes, including a fatal early this morning at the corner of Ruxton Avenue and Baker Street.

Jury duty?

According to the Baltimore Clerk of the Courts, the jury "list" needs fixing.

No Jail Time for Murder Mom

From the SAO's office (typos corrected):

Today Melanie Blevins, 23, of Westminster MD, pled guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter before Judge John P. Miller. Judge Miller sentenced Blevins to 10 years suspend all but time served (1 day), with 5 years supervised probation. Conditions of probation include Blevins performing a minimum of 25 hours of community service with Habitat for Humanity each month for 3 years totaling 900 hours. Judge Miller told Blevins she also must continue in therapy.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Blevins January 9, 2009 for first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. Blevins plead to the following facts of the case. On Saturday, October 4, 2008, Blevins went to Union Memorial Hospital for treatment of urinary pain. Following an examination, the treating physician reported to police that Blevins had just given birth hours before arriving to the emergency room for care.

Blevins claimed she delivered a stillborn following an undiagnosed pregnancy. The newborn was discovered in a dumpster inside a plastic trash bag behind 2640 St. Paul Street, St. Johns United Methodist Church. The medical examiner determined the child was born alive and took one breath. The medical examiner could not testify to a degree of medical certainty that the baby took more than one live breath.

More from Tricia Bishop
Quality article on neonaticide from The New York Times' Steven Pinker