"I don't know if we should be lauded or put in an insane asylum."

The Ink has last week's seven homicides, including two deaths from injuries sustained in previous years.

The woman found in the trash chute at the Park Charles apartments was ID'd as Loyola grad Emily Hauze, 23. As with the man found last August, police are saying evidence points to an accident, and residents are finding that explanation hard to believe. Report Hermann & Fenton, "The [trash chute] entrances are in rooms off each floor's main hallway. And the heavy, waist-high, spring-loaded doors — about 14 inches wide by 16 inches tall — open like ovens and close quickly. 'It's not like you could just fall in,' said Allison Busby, a 25-year-old who moved out of the Park Charles in May. 'The door would shut before I could even get my trash bag into it. It would slam shut. It was kind of a pain.'"

Luke Broadwater writes about Baltimore's 'urban pioneers.' (...but since when is being a teenager in a hoodie an arrestable offense?) Pull quote from Chris Taylor: "I don't know if we should be lauded or put in an insane asylum."

Police have released a sketch, left, of a man wanted for raping a 13-year-old

In Cockeysville, one Samantha Steck was arrested for stabbing her "boyfriend" in the chest

Deeply depressing: in MoCo, police gather evidence against William McQuain's stepfather. And also in MoCo, another stepfather has been charged with killing his stepchild; David Rich Hang of Gaithersburg was linked by DNA to the sheath of the knife used to kill 12-year-old Jessica Nguyen.

In Severn, a guy with bizarre ear-holes arrested for child sex offenses.

In bankruptcy news, managers at the broke-azz Tribune Co are getting bonuses, and the ridiculous catfighting restructuring planning at Alter Communications has been extended for another 30 days

Once again, a judge has blocked Baltimore's lawsuit against Wells Fargo. Meanwhile, Baltimore now has 20% more homeless people.

Bwhahaha! Russian 'reporter' asks the City Paper for some help with a story.

A rare press release from the SAO-- 17 extra years for a guy who had a cell phone in prison (why a press release on this case and not any of the high-profile cases in the past month, one wonders?)

Speaking of rare events, don't forget the BCrime Crappy Hour tomorrow at around 5, email or check our FB page for location.

Location, location

Life in prison for Kevin Pushia. And a conviction for the rape, torture and murder of Sintia Mesa, killed over her boyfriend Jemarl Jones's drug debts.

Police say the death of Ryan Jackson, 18, found on Pennington Ave, did, in fact, go down in the county, on Rambo Court.

Gregg Bernstein may not issue many press releases or make many public statements, but he does go to community meetings. Such as this one in Charles Village, where he got to hear this bon mot from Joe Giordano: “I tell people I live at 26th and condom."

And one Dwayne McCoy was arrested for the robbery and shooting of a Charles Village resident. The bad news: he's out on bail already!

Keep an eye out for James Whittlesey, 52, a wanted bank robber with an exceptionally fluffy butt cut.

And a former resident wins a $40k bedbug lawsuit against the apartment managers of her building. Shudder. Skeeve.

A recent homicide victim has been identified. 24-year-old Louis Ingram has been Id'd as the man shot to death at the 2400 block of E. Lafayette St. From what I can tell he does not appear to have any relation to Anton Ingram, the 32-year old man killed 8 days earlier.

Police are still searching for 11-year-old William McQuain, who's been missing the last two weeks, and whose mother was found murdered last Wednesday.

A second tainted letter found at the Harford County Detention Center has many people worried.

An arrest has been made in what is now believed to have been a double stabbing at a Dundalk bar. Adam Wayne Church, 21, (pictured right) has been charged with attempted murder for the stabbing of the 29- and 21- year-old men.

Gary Giordano, 50, the man held in Aruba for his alleged role in the disappearance of Robyn Gardner has had his appeal to end his being held in Aruban custody denied.

An ex-lawmaker testifies at the trial of Ulysses Currie, and spoiler alert, what he had too say wasn't too nice.

12 years in the Federal pen for Raymond Eggleston, the 51-year-old leader of a Severn drug organization.

Also starting a 12 year Federal bid is Crip gang member Tyrone Moore. Moore, 21, received the stern sentence after committing a 2007 carjacking.

Over in tiny Crisfield, MD, 27-year-old Micah Blue (Pictured Right) is facing charges of attempted murder after committing a double shooting.

As you are well aware, 35 members of the South Side Brim Bloods were federally indicted last week. Here is a listing of all those indicted, as well as any information I could find on specific members.

Andre Ricardo Roach, age 34;
Monique Marie Hagler; age 27, of Suitland, Md;
Theodore Clifton Matthews, age 29, of Baltimore;
Richard Demoan Hall Jr.,age 27, of Cumberland;
Matthew Owen Colllins, age 27, of Cumberland;
Brandon Isiah Fossett, age 27, of Frederick;
Durell Jarric Clayter, age 26, of Frederick;
Altonia Manley, III, age 22, of Frederick;
Marcel Anthony Williams, age 20, of Frederick;
Dominic Antonio Grey, age 27, of Frederick;
Jimarr Tyrell King, age 23, of Frederick, Md;
Derell Len Prue, age 20, of Frederick;
Gerald Lee Dorsey, Jr., age 24, Frederick;
Kennea KeithDiggs Jr., age 32, Frederick;
Paul Travis Cox, age 20, of Frederick;
Van Johnson Weedon, age 19, of Frederick;
Morris Jermaine Goodwin, age 19, of Frederick;
Courtney Alan Gates, age 28, of Frederick;
Fitzgerald Donald Reid, age 21, of Frederick;
Kylynn Charmonix Williams, age 19, of Frederick;
Richard Lee Thompson, age 22, of Frederick;
William Michael Black, age 22, of Stevensville, Md;
Dontell Lamont Guy, age 24;
Yancy Lamont White, age 23, of Salisbury, Md;
Antonio Jovan Dennis, age 29, of Stevensville;
Kyle Alexander Carey, age 20, of Salisbury;
Justin Rashaad Harris, age 19, of Eden, Md;
Antonio Javier Landers, age 24, of Howard County;
Aurelio Manuel Barahona, age 24, of Howard County;
Donnell Antonio Lewis, age 30, of Annapolis, Md
Donnell Moses Stewart, age 24, of Severn, Md;
Renard Mitchell, age 25, of Baltimore;
Darryl Rashad Smith, age 29, of Howard County;
Joseph Aaron Artis, age 22, of Howard County;
Alex Antonio Mendoza, age 23, of Howard County.

Many apologies for my long absence(again). Unfortunately the new computer I got to replace my old one, went and broke on me as well,last time I said something like this would not happen again, but I appear to have jinxed myself. So instead, I will simply say: sorry.

Yes and yes

The Baltimore Algebra Project and some other groups are hosting a Town Hall meeting on juvenile jails this Saturday at the Hilton on West Pratt:

165

Marquis Jones, 20, found shot to death in the rear alley of the 2200 block of Aiken Street early yesterday morning

A woman's body has been found in a Dumpster of the Charles Towers apartments in the 200 block of N. Charles.*

Maryland District Court Judge Jamey Hueston is trying to set up a nonprofit to support The Baltimore City District Adult Drug Court and make up for funding cuts.

The trial of Walter P. Bishop Jr., accused of carrying out the murder-for-hire of William R. Porter, is kicking off tomorrow in HarfCo. It will be the first death-penalty eligible case in the state since the law was changed to only make eligible cases that link the suspect with DNA evidence, or as applies to Bishop, a videotaped confession, reports the Sun's Arthur Hirsch.

CBS has footage of "writer turned warrior" Matthew VanDyke sporting a dirty schmattle, firing a giant gun and saying he's "willing to kill people for freedom."

The county's 18th homicide is Joseph A. Miranda, 19, run over by a Bobcat in 2006. Also in the county, four people injured in a drive-by shooting in Turners Station.

And a special session of the legislature is about to go down in A-town, and the fur is sure to fly. Marylandreporter.com has links to stories from every source on the subject, iffin you care.

And North Baltimore's Robert E. Lee Park, closed for years as a result of dog poop contamination and for renovations, has reopened! But note parks department staffers will be there, ticket books in hand, waiting to bust violators of city leash laws. There is a leash-free area but you must join and pay $35 to use it.

163, 164

Two more homicides so far this weekend, including a man stabbed on the street in the middle of the day. And two nonfatal shootings in the NE.

And the BPD is supposed to have been conducting "after-action" reviews of police-involved shootings, but apparently that hasn't been happening. For years.

A new commander for the city's "vaunted but scuffling homicide unit".

Two guys with machetes, sisters fighting with steak knives and a bicycle-jacking in the Baltimore Guide blotter.

And finally, this terrifying Vanity Fair article on the state of California's economy brought to mind the CP's article on police and fire pensions. Two years after the CP article the city is still afloat, which is kind of incredible, no?

and a great article in the NYker this week about Portugal's decriminalization of drugs

Bleach thrower speaks

The drama continues, but the bleacher thrower blames the man, not her victim.

Crime news of the day, paywall edition

A man was shot in the back in a UMMC parking garage

Horrific: 11-year-old William McQuain is missing from MoCo, his mom was murdered and his stepdad is under arrest.

Holy moly! Thirty-five alleged Bloods gang members ("South Side Brims") have been indicted for racketeering, murder, kidnapping and other crimes. It took more than 100 officers to round them all up.

James Owens, one of the first people in MD to be cleared post-conviction by a DNA test, is now suing the city, SAO and BPD for $15 million.

Another kid attacked by a dog.

And finally, a new PSA from the Mayor. Ok, if you're drunk, it's a little bit your fault. (Kidding! Kidding!)

A brief civics lesson

Two men were arrested and charged with drug smuggling after they gave a state trooper permission to search their truck.

Ok, now a bit of editorial commentary. I cannot wrap my mind around why a law-abiding citizen would ever consent to a police search. For someone who is trafficking drugs to consent to a car search takes the stupidity to a whole new level.

There is no reason for anybody to ever say yes to a consent search. Contrary to what many people believe saying "no" to a search does NOT give the police a reason to dig through your car, and if they have no PC they have no choice but to let you go on your way. You are not being difficult or acting suspicious by refusing a search, you are simply exercising your constitutional right not to have your private belongings pawed through.

Waverly beating

The Patch reports a man was severely beaten in Waverly this afternoon, 700 block of McKewin Avenue.

And on Union Ave in Hampden, "An unknown person entered a man’s home, hit him in the face and cut him with an unknown weapon, police said. A friend tried to intervene and was cut on the abdomen with an unknown object."

Police issued a warrant for the person they believe shot a man in the 2600 block of St. Paul Street in the course of a robbery last week.

Fenton Tweets

Homicide on East Lanvale Street yesterday according to Justin Fenton's Twitter feed.

Apparently the commish is also claiming that murders and non-fatal shootings are down, but overall gun crimes are up when you include robberies and home invasions.

'I think he had braids'

Jeezum crow, a 17-year-old high school student killed Monday night , Devearl Singletary, was the second kid from his school to be murdered this month. And two more murders: in Broadway East (a rare picture of a victim's feet sticking out of a sheet) and 20-year-old Kevin Pierre was shot to death in the 200 block of Belnord Ave.

The Ink covers last week's two murders, Anton Ingram and Marcius Perkins, plus case updates.

Two guys shot last night in the 6200 block of Carbore Way in the SE.

14 years for a guy who robbed Baltimore banks with a fake bomb

The woman who tossed Pine-Sol and bleach at her romantic rival at a Walmart has an unlikely ally: her babydaddy's daddy. "I’m not going to defend my son when he’s wrong. He’s wrong," Fred Culp told the jz.

Jury selection begins today in the civil suit brought by the parents of Philip Parker Jr., an inmate strangled on a prison bus; meanwhile Judge Sylvester Cox is considering letting jurors tour the bus in a darkened garage.

A writer's house was shot at in Woodberry, and he and the wife are thoroughly annoyed that took a half-hour for police to get to the scene.

A $490k fine for a MD telemarketer who broke Mississippi's no-call laws

Oops! Lawyer for St. Joe's stent patients loses their medical records on the Light Rail

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear arguments in a case in which a UMBC pro-life student group claims its free speech was inhibited by having to relocate a graphic anti-abortion display. Meanwhile, Congress is preparing to debate the "Embryos Before Hos" bill.

Heartbreaking post

from imprisoned Oriole-cum-crackhead jailbird Sammy Stewart

'probably provoked'

The WaPo profiles Rod J. Rosenstein, the Quiet Storm. Fun RJR facts = he was on Kenneth Starr's team investigating Whitewater; he keeps his desk very clean; he enjoys hanging out at the Bethesda Barnes & Noble.

Man, cars shot on Riggs Ave last night; 25-year-old man shot near Park Heights and Belvedere avenues early yesterday morning

Friends & family of Theresa Jefferson, the alleged Walmart bleach-n-Pine-Sol attacker, are coming to her defense: "she was probably provoked." (My question: why do crazy-jealous bitches never go after the guy?)

Police release sketch of 2009 sex-assualt suspect

Something happened at Eden's Lounge over the weekend that required police cars, fire trucks and a ambilance. UPDATE: three people were stabbed.

Wanna buy a rec center? The Brew reports that the city is hoping to privatize its 55 centers.

... today starts the paywall at the Sun. You get 15 free page views, then you have to make with the credit card.

ps. Save the date! BCrime Snappy Hour = October 20, 5 p.m. until whenever. Join our FB group or email for location.

Bad ideas

A man is dead after shooting his ex-wife in the neck and then getting into a gun battle with police; the police spokesman says it's not clear yet if he was shot by police or shot himself.

The Court of Special Appeals overturned the first-degree murder conviction of one Jamar Anderson last week, "saying the trial judge had violated the defendant’s right to a fair trial by asking prospective jurors if they could convict someone without scientific evidence."

Jean Marbella follows up on the story of Baltimorean-cum-Libyan "revolutionary fighter" Matthew VanDyke. Meanwhile at the prison that VanDyke escaped from, a Quadafi-era mass grave has been unearthed.

At the Court of Appeals last week, the City Paper and Van Smith fought the revival of a defamation suit brought by Nicholas Piscatelli, the former owner of the Redwood trust nightclub.

A county officer was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly stripping off his shirt and brandishing his weapon in the middle of the street.

In the County, brokedown heifer Theresa Jefferson, 33, allegedly hurled bleach and Pine-Sol at her romantic rival, putting her and 18 other Walmart shoppers in the hospital.

Finally... could this possibly be a good idea? Keiffer Mitchell says that control of city schools should revert to the Mayor.
.. speaking of the Mayor, saw SRB in the Roland Avenue Starbucks Friday, Suburban illegally parked, flanked by a security guy with an earpiece and wearing giant aviator sunglasses in the (very dim) shop. She didn't speak, smile or acknowledge anyone, barely even the barista-- just nodded or shook her head to his questions. ("Would you like anything else?" Shake. "Do you want your receipt?" Shake.) Most strange.

October 6

A couple of robbery related shootings. One took place in Lauraville, the other in Charles Village very close to the spot where Stephen Pitcairn was murdered. Both shootings appear to have been non-fatal.

[So far! It sounds like a lot has been happening around Charles Village. There always is this time of year, in terms of scary robberies and assaults. ... wonder what John Pontolillo is up to these days? I heard something on the news about a CV resident stabbed in the face when he confronted someone who broke into his place, anyone else hear about that? - ED]

Murder in Woodlawn.

If you're going to rob and murder a pizza delivery man it's a bad idea to place an order using your own cell phone. This was a really sad story (poor guy was working hard to support his family in Pakistan) and it looks like the perps got away with second-degree murder convictions and relatively light sentences.

Spray-paint artist Mark Chase refused a plea bargain and insists he wants to go to trial.

[I love this quote: 'Your constitutional rights have nothing to do with the law,' the officer [Chase][reportedly] said." Good for him! ... I hope Bernstein announces they won't hassle street artists. It will bring us one step closer to a little Seine in the Jones Falls/Harbor. - ED.]

Already convicted on federal drug charges, Johnny Butler has gone on trial again for torture and murder.

Here's some good news for once: Missing 16-month old found.

Fatal car crash on Route 100 after the driver allegedly behaved like a maniac.

159

Maricus Kyle Perkins, 20, shot on Monday, has died of his injuries.

The Ink covers murders 154-157: Aldrick Hamilton, Dwight Montgomery, Keith Parker, and Antonio Blackwell (any relation to Maurice, J.R. or Steven, I wonder?)

Your check, sir... ? MD Reporter says the Attorney General's Office began sending out large, un-itemized bills for its indirect costs.

More fake cops robbing houses

No more liquor license for the Rancho Manila of Upper Fell's Point. "police were called to the bar nearly 100 times in a six-month span, including a homicide call in April."

Cat burned in alley

PoPo a Gogo

52-year-old man shot to death by police whilst brandishing a pellet gun was ID'd as Steve Mach, former member of the Vamps.

An attempted break-in at the Rendez-Vous and the Cold Spring RoFo robbed (again)! In the North Baltimore Patch blotter.

No bucks and an unsuccessful appeal for the family of Gerard Mungo, Jr., a seven-year-old illegally arrested for leaning on a dirtbike.

Robbery suspect Vincent Avila, 25, escaped from a police car after weaseling out of handcuffs and shackles, was later recaptured. County police note 30(!) robberies since September in the Falls Rd.- corridor area, though story/police aren't saying if this slippery suspect is connected to them. "in almost all of them entry was made either through an unlocked door or forcing open a locked door and half the time the suspect/s have entered through the front door." Lock yr doors, people, duh!! ps., is a security chain still the best thing to secure a front door, or is there a better technology out there?

editorial note...

Hi readers and bloggers, from time to time I get requests by people asking that I take their name off of the blog. I am glad to honor these requests-- criminal justice should be doled out by the judiciary, not Google and not in perpetuity. But the request needs to come from the owner of the name, not from a third party (e.g. your mom, girlfriend, boyfriend, brother, public relations firm or blowhard lawyer). If you want your Bcrime record expunged, just email me, address is at the bottom of the screen. Kthanksbai!

Charles Village Sexual Assault

Below is a report from the October 3 JHU Security Daily Incident Report.

Sexual Assault – 3200 Blk. Lovegrove St.– On Oct. 1st at approximately 1:20 AM, a student was sexually assaulted by an unknown male while in the alley/parking area. The student received minor physical injuries and was treated and released from Union Memorial Hospital. Baltimore Police are investigating the incident.

Description of Suspect: Black male, medium complexion, 20- to 30-years old, between 6’0” and 6’2” tall, muscular build and wearing a navy blue/black hoodie. Direction of travel was unknown.

Molotov cocktails?

From the BPD's FB page:

The Baltimore Police Department is investigating a series of Molotov cocktail arson incidents that have recently taken place throughout Baltimore City.

Within the last three weeks, the Baltimore Police Department Arson Unit, working in concert with the Fire Investigation Bureau of the Baltimore City Fire Department, has investigated nine incidents of arson (or attempted arson) involving the use of Molotov cocktails. The incidents span the city and occurred at the following locations:

9/13/11 3800 Blk Leadenhall St. Southern District

9/19/11 5600 Blk Haddon Ave. Northwest District

9/22/11 2200 Blk Park Ave. Central District

9/22/11 3200 Blk Rogers Ave. Northwest District

9/23/11 2700 Blk N. Longwood Northwest District

9/25/11 2400 Blk Loyola Northway Northern District

9/26/11 400 Blk Asquith St. Eastern District

9/27/11 5300 Blk Wesley Ave. Northwest District

9/28/11 3700 Blk Yosemite Ave. Northwest District

The occurrences are all under vigorous investigation and preliminarily appear random, as there are no apparent commonalties amongst victims or the structures targeted. Thankfully, there have been no significant injuries or property damage as a result of the incidents.

We are asking for the public to be vigilant and report anyone that appears to be transporting gasoline in non-UL approved containers, particularly those in highly portable glass bottles.

Persons with any information concerning these incidents are urged to contact the Baltimore Police Department at 866-7LOCKUP [866-756-2587]. As always, callers may remain anonymous.

Not Baltimore...

... necessarily, though if you enjoy crack, raise yr pipe to new dad Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, whose decades-younger wife just gave birth to twins at an L.A. County hospital.

Your tax dollars in an unreal city

City bills itself $500,000 for one month of water at downtown fountain, then says oops we made mistake and....btw..the billing system is antiquated. To bad they didn't figure that when they were evicting people over wildly high water bills a few years ago.

Meanwhile, city cop tests drive a Lexus while being chased by county cops.

"Paywall suicide"

DCRTV reports "slumping morale" at the Sun after the paywall reports (quoted b/c the dcrtv site won't let you link to individual posts):

Sun Insider: Web Paywall "Suicide" - 9/27 - Updated. DCRTV hears from an inside source that morale at the Baltimore Sun is slumping after news, which DCRTV broke first last week, that the Tribune-owned newspaper will be erecting a paywall around its baltimoresun.com website. "Morale in the newsroom is at a low point. No one can understand why we'd make print subscribers pay for the online stuff. It's just suicide, an experiment being carried out by the Tribune on just one of its properties." The website access plan, which takes effect October 10, will cost $2.49 a week or $49.99 for 26 weeks, after an introductory discount. Print subscribers will receive a reduced rate of 75 cents a week or $29.99 a year. While Sun has since run several articles about the paywall plan, "On Monday, management shut down the comments section on the Sun paywall story. They are insisting we call it a 'digital subscription.' And any comments by staff bloggers and Tweeters must be cleared by Editor Trif Alatzas," says the source. "Freedom of speech for Sun readers and writers? Not so fast." More: We hear from another source at the paper who says that there's been "no directive about Tweeting or blogging, though certainly if someone Tweets something stupid or blogs erroneously... then they're going to get corrected." Also, the Sun is not the only Tribune paper erecting a paywall - the Allentown Morning Call is doing it, too, we're told. "I think most of us actually are nervously hopeful that this will work out. We've cut a ton of people and content in recent years through buyouts and layoffs and we want to see that stop".....

Would u pay $129.48 a year for the Sun? (I pay more than that for the NYTimes.. but it's the NYTimes...!) ... wonder why Trib co. picked the Sun and the Allentown paper, and not, say, the Hampton Roads Daily Press?

In other news of broke-azz sources, the company that owns the Jewish Times and Style magazine is in the midst of an acrimonious bankruptcy proceeding. The JT's printer claims Alter Communications owes them $1.77 million(!)

Have you seen...

Endangered runaway Jalayia Scott, age 13 & no left eyebrow

B triple C was robbed

600 computers, TV, etc stolen by an employee who was also a drug dealer and gun felon..

Quick Weekend Crime Update

A flurry of non-fatal shootings in the city so far this weekend. A woman and a man were shot in seperate incidents, while an 18-year-old received non-fatal injuries after being shot in the 1000 block of Bennett Place.

Unfortunately for this blog, it appears that the Baltimore Sun is now going to be charging for web use. While some may see this as a mixed blessing, I can't help but be less than thrilled with the loss of a very useful crime source. For the sake of staying as a viable crime resource to readers, the number of Sun articles linked from here will obviously decrease dramatically. An unfortunate, but not unexpected event, that was frankly happened later than most would have expected.

Two seperate stabbings in Baltimore County Friday.Two angry brothers stabbed each other in Woodlawn, and a man was stabbed in Essex during the early morning hours.

Shots fly during the attempted robbery of a Middle River liquor store.

A very violent few days in Maryland's prisons, as a 34-year-old inmate is in serious condition after a lunchroom stabbing. While over at WCI, Saleem N. Abdullah, 53, was found strangled to death in his cell Thursday night. No official arrests have been made in either case. According to online resources, this wasn't the first time Mr.Abdullah had been the target of prison violence, he had been the complainant in 4 previous cases while incarcerated. None of the inmates accused in those cases were currently serving time at any Maryland prison facility.

Former Ravens OT Orlando "Zeus" Brown was found dead in his Baltimore home Friday. No foul play is suspected.

A freshman delegate is already corrupting at a senior level. Lawmaker Tiffany Alston, 31, has been charged with misappropriating campaign funds in order to pay for a wedding, among other things.

You can't talk about corruption in MD politics without bringing up good 'ol Ulysses Currie. A lawyer for Currie claims that the senator was "very sick" at the time of the FBI raid of his home.

Finally, nine members of the an apparently very profitable cigarette smuggling ring have been indicted in Maryland. The second such case of cigarette smuggling to come in front of Federal judges in the last week after former PG County cop Chong Chen Kim plead guilty to similar charges earlier in the week.

Jody Lee Miles and Euro Death Row Groupies

The death sentence of Jody Lee Miles has been upheld, reports the local news and Jody Lee Miles himself. (How do you get a Tumblr account on death row?) Miles has a Facebook account too, maintained by his wife. (Not his first wife, Jona, who helped him hide the evidence, but another wife, Michaela, who lives in the UK and apparently never met him in person before they were married until a TV station arranged it.) ... More about Miles' case here.
.... European death row groupies, who knew?

Hermann: a fascinating suicide story

Troy Taylor, convicted of killing septuagenarian security guard Charles Bowman at the Yau Brothers Carryout on Greenmount, got five months and 29 days added to his sentence when he refused to answer questions regarding the alleged triggerman on the witness stand.

... and looks like Luke Broadwater (of Examiner fame) is reporting for the Sun now-- good news for crime-concerned readers.

And Peter Hermann on a macabre tip this morning: a man shot himself outside of Union Memorial Hospital, leaving a note that he wanted to donate his organs. Blogs Hermann, "We of course would like to know more. Suicide is always a tricky subject to write about, but if this man really thought the only way to donate his organs was to shoot himself, it's a fascinating, through tragic, story. We'd also like to know why he chose Union Memorial, and if he intended to wound himself to stay alive long enough so doctors could harvest."

The even slower wheels of justice

The judge in the case of alleged prison-guard killer Lee Stephens has once again give the OK for prosecutors to seek the death penalty. If Stephens's trial starts in January as scheduled it will have been nearly six years since the murder of Cpl. David McGuinn at the Maryland House of Correction.

New Helicoptors, Shootings Galore, and Beyond

The BPD go from almost losing their helicopter fleet, to getting an entirely new one.

The victim of a September 7th double shooting has died. Isaiah Roane, 29, died Tuesday. Apparently Mr.Roane had several gun and drug arrests and convictions, as well as a 2006 arrest for attempted murder.

Non-fatal shooting of a 38-year-old woman at the intersection of West Lafayette Ave. and Ashburton St.

Three people were shot over a period of twelve hours earlier this week.

31-year-old Kenneth McDuffie is facing attempted murder charges afterhis 32-year-old girlfriend after leaving an Essex party.

The lawyer for Reuben Dunn, 28, claims that Dunn wasn't driving that fateful day when two Baltimore teens were struck and killed.

90 years in prison for one murderer, a conviction for another. 36-year-old James Fortune has been sentenced to 90 years in prison for a 2008 double shooting that left 25-year-old Sidney Millner dead. Convicted of first degree murder is Charles Thomas, 47. Thomas was convicted of the 2009 daylight killing of Alvin Alston.

We can all sleep easy now, because according to the FBI Baltimore's police force is quite well staffed.

More information on the fatal shooting in Dundalk earlier this week. Robert Charles Nelson, 24, was found dead directly across the street from the site of Joseph Palczynsk's famous hostage taking and stand-off. Based on the tone of the article, police seem very doubtful about the chances of capturing the suspect anytime soon.

Bail denied for the suspect in the Bowie State stabbing. Alexis Simpson, 19, is being held after her arrest for the stabbing death of 18-year-old Dominique Frazier, allegedly over an Ipod.

Studies have found that crime cameras appear to actually be cost effective. The cameras are apparently netting a whopping $1.50 for every dollar spent.

Apples grown at Hagerstown prison are to be sold to local food markets.Interesting they chose the one food already synonymous with hidden razor blades... but potential mouth injuries notwithstanding, these felon fruits will be sold at only 1/10 the price of normal apples.

In a classic case of just deserts, former mayor Sheila Dixon's house was burglarized Monday. Justin Fenton thankfully takes no time to make an allusion to when her home was raided as part of her embezzlement investigation.

Friends turn witnesses in the trial of 20-year-old Michael Hunter, the man accused of robbing and killing 72-year-old security guard Charles Bowman at the oft dangerous Yau Brothers carry-out on Greenmount.

Police are ISO the unpatriotic-SOB who shot a bald eagle in Western Maryland last Friday.

County police are looking for this robbery suspect, who hit a Comfort Inn and tried to hold up the Security Square Malls Macy's building.

A mandatory-minimum 5 year sentence is in store for former P.G. County officer Chong Chen Kim, age 43. Kim plead guilty to his role a massive untaxed cigarette conspiracy alongside former P.G. County officer Richard Delabrer, and small business owners Amir Miljkovic and Chun "Eddy" Chen.

Finally, 15 years in federal exile for 45-year-old Tyrone Slim Dollar" Dale.

Shooting in Waverly

A man shot in the head in Waverly at 4:30 in the afternoon, steps from Waverly Elementary and the 33rd street Y.

The slow wheels of justice

More than three years after hearing arguments in the case, the Maryland Court of Appeals has upheld the death sentence of Jody Miles, as well as the standard that Maryland juries use when deciding whether to impose a death sentence.

Unclassified deaths in Baltimore

State Medical Examiner Dr David Fowler sheds some light on the hangings, shootings, and bodies in the harbor that end up being unclassified deaths

Cordish Swaps Green Cards for Casino Bucks

The WaPo alleges that the Cordish co is trying to lure potential Chinese casino investors with promises of green cards for a $500k investment ... and it's all totally legal. Which makes it not really fodder for this blog... But it's all just too hinky-sounding to resist.

25 years for Antonio Barnes

... alleged to have beaten a four-month-old to death in 2009. ... the only infant homicide I can find on the 2009 toll is one-year-old Janaya Wallace, killed on Kentucky Avenue, near Herring Run Park on the East side and last seen by her father ... wonder if this is the same infant or if Barnes' victim was added later?

Butt saliva fingers senior-stabber

Anthony Robinson, accused of murdering 91-year-old Irene Logan, was nabbed by DNA from a cigarette butt (a la the alleged East Coast Rapist Aaron Thomas).

"Kick it out"

Press release from your SAO. On one hand Cheshire is a much cleaner writer than Sviatko was, on the other, could someone please show the man how to send out a text file instead of an image so the Internets will be able to search it & people can read it without magnifying? Does he type it on a manual typewriter or something? Come on now.

Lunchtime Crime

Probably not a crime, but a JV football team in Baltimore County had to forfeit a game over a sexual encounter between a girl and several team members.

Billy Murphy wants to milk the Kennedy Krieger Institute for some serious money over lead paint.

Fatal shooting in Dundalk.

The re-trial of two alleged dog burners has been postponed until November.

There's been an arrest in the fatal Bowie State stabbing.

91-year old Irene Logan was murdered in her home in early August, and now police say they have made an arrest.

Recent Homicides, Toliet Bombs, and So Much More

In a very unfortunate-yet-fitting metaphor for our city, 16-year-old Bruce Benn was shot to death next to a bench proclaiming Baltimore to be the "Greatest City in America."

A 2006 shooting victim, who subsequently died in 2009, has been added to the homicide tally. Gerrod Davis, who was 22 at the time of his death, will become 2011's 147th victim.

Details are sparse at the moment, but a Bowie State student was stabbed to death on campus earlier today.

Duane "Shorty" Davis, the creator of the "Towson toilet bomb" and friend of the blog, has been acquitted of any charges related to his leaving a toilet covered in various articles and writings outside the Towson courthouse back in February.

A 7th Baltimore cop has plead guilty to his part in the major towing scandal that has plagued Baltimore police. Jhonn Corona, 33, plead guilty to sending accident victims to Majestic Auto Repair as well as crashing his own car in order to send false reports to his insurance company.

Arrest is made in the slaying of a Baltimore bondswoman Nichole McNair. 21-year-old Dominique Davon McDonald has been charged with first and second degree murder for the cold-blooded killing.

Dante Jeter, 24, who is still awaiting trial for the 2006 slaying of Arundel dentist Albert Ro, has been sentenced to 60 years in the 2008 City shooting of Tyrone Freeman.


There really are evil twins in the world, except this time it's not on board the Enterprise, it's over in Howard County, where 23-year-old Wael Ali is accused of killing his twin brother Wasel Ali back in 2007. The real kicker is that after the murder Wael made several statements to the press and even created a Facebook page in remembrance for the killing. (The Ali brothers pictured right.)

A 21-year-old was shot in the 1000 block of North Arlington Ave at late last night.

Do you recognize this man? He's wanted by the BPD as a person of interest in the 2010 killing of Durell Cartwright.

The trial of Michael Hunter, 20 and one of two men accused of killing 72-year-old Afro paper security guard Charles Bowman, will finally commence soon after being delayed 5 times. Hunter's co-defendent, Troy Taylor, 19, has already been sentenced to 35 years for his role in the killing.

A man has turned himself in for the second slaying in Howard CountyAnthony Patrick Parker, 53, has turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his part in a fight turned stabbing that left 46-year-old Phillip Wise dead.

ATF and state police arrest over 50 suspects, including 15 who were charged federally, as part of a large scale drug sweep. Among the names that pop out to me is that of Howard Drummond, 24. Drummond, as you may remember was charged alongside Joel Ugah, 25 back in 2008 for the murder of Sandy Howard and non-fatal shooting of two others. Both were acquitted of a all charges. Howard was sentenced to 10 years in state prison for various drug dealing charges, and Ugah, who was again charged with attempted murder for a 2010 incident, is currently facing drug and gun charges in the city and county.

This may be a hard sell to some... but a Baltimore methadone clinic wants to pay addicts in order to get them to come in at night and use methadone.

More trouble at Maryland colleges. This time it's at UMD, where police are releasing a video of a person of interest in the on-campus sexual assault of a female student.

A 14-year-old Anne Arundel girl was sexually assaulted, and police are ISO two suspects, including one who sort of looks like John Lennon.

A man in Trappe, MD has been arrested for possession of a handgun whenhis gun fell out of his jacket after he ran into a police officer.

Severn resident Peter Dembrowicz, 30, was found dead in a stream earlier, foul play is not suspected.

State police officially conclude that teacher Alice Davis was in fact murdered by her husband Jess Davis, 57.

New Jersey's Uzodimma Nnamdi Oguh, age 32, has been charged with human trafficking for running a prostitution ring throughout the east coast.

Two years in Federal prison for creeper attorney Patrick Joseph Redd, 33.

Finally, 10 years for 9-time convict Skky Townsend, 29. Townsend got his decade behind bars after being caught with crack and weapons in his Pocomoke home.

Obsessions, compulsions & Conaways

Say what you might about the horn-tooting of the rousing of rabble, it's deserved. Adam Meister helped roust tax cheat Belinda Conaway out of the 7th district by a skinny 648 votes ... by just being Adam and letting Belinda be Belinda with her redunkulous lawsuit. Said the loser, "I don't have any regrets-- none." Neither must her lawyer, who apparently ran up the clock on her before doing an iota of diligence.

Speaking of dumbassery, Baltimorean Matthew VanDyke, who either escaped or was freed from a Libyan prison after aggravating his OCD and losing every last ounce of body fat and with a girlfriend/fiancee waiting at home, decided to stay in Libya to reportedly join the Ali Hassan Juba Katiba rebels. A fine line between bravery, silliness, and Stockholm syndrome. Well don't say Dutch didn't try!

Sentencing in Viral Video Beating, Bondswoman Killed, and Even More

Teonna Monae Brown, age 19, whose leading role in the videotaped beating of transgender woman in a Rosedale McDonalds led to national outcry, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Baltimore bondswoman Nichole Bernadette McNair, 42, was found shot to death in a running car in Columbia.

Two consecutive life sentences plus 20 years for 30-year-old Jermaine Johnson. Johnson, was convicted of the 2009 double homicide of Gerry Martin and Darvin Jones. Jones, who was 19 at the time of his death, was said to have committed two 2009 murders himself; that of Herbert Carsten Jr., age 17, and Wayne Robinson age 22.

Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of officer William H. Torbit Jr. have refused to testify before a panel investigating the fatal case of friendly fire.

More missing Baltimoreans, this time, it's 63-year-old Madeline Chavis, missing since Monday afternoon.

The woman accused in a grisly yoga shop murder will not seek an insanity defense. Attorneys for Brittany Norwood have missed the deadline to file such paperwork.

Basketball teacher busted for child sexual abuse. Tyrone Jordan, age 55, has been charged with molesting a 14-year-old boy, the second sexual misconduct related arrest in the last 15 years for him.

A cab driver was shot in the neck Saturday night in the parking lot of a Royal Farms store off of E Fayette St.

Two city high school students are in a heap of trouble for bringing a gun to school.

Police in Baltimore County release a "digital sketch" of a 2009 sexual assault suspect.

The body of a missing Baltimore man has been found in Liberty Reservoir in Carroll County. The body of Christopher Anthony White, 44 displayed no obvious signs of trauma.

Sunday morning sees two men shot in separate indents in the City. A 23-year old was shot in the 1700 block of Lexington St. and a 49-year-old man was shot in the 2800 block of Hilldale Ave.

Curtis Bay weed grower busted. Kwane Owusa Greenidge faces a variety of drug related charges.

Police are seeking help identifying a man who robbed a Baltimore County Giant.

Montgomery County seeks grant to help fight gang problem.

Guilty plea from mother of child beaten to death in Frederick. 21-year-old Jessica Denise Peavy will face only one year in jail when she is sentenced.

Kent County police are ISO a missing full gas tanker, that was stolen after someone cut through a fence and hot-wired a vehicle.

An unidentified body has been pulled from the Back River. No known cause of death has been given, but no obvious signs of injury have been found.

Like a modern day Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid, Two Washington County teens are on the run after stealing a van from a juvenile facility.

A man was shot to death in Landover. 21-year-old Aaron M. Jones, who was wanted for several charges including attempted murder at the time of his death, was found in the 8100 block of Manson St.

A Glen Burnie man is facing charges of attempted murder after stabbing a gas station clerk several times during an attempted murder. Joseph Earl Schrump, 22, whose face is a testament to why you don't mess with gas station attendants, was arrested in a nearby cemetery shortly after.

Police warn citizens to be weary of potential robbers on Craigslist. Bad intentions of Craigslist? Impossible...

15 years in the Federal clank for Catonsville bank robber Troy Antoine Boatwright, age 37.

Willie Ray Bryant is moving on up... from state to federal prison that is. 41-year-old Bryant plead guilty to sending a threatening letter to a Maryland judge.

Speaking of poorly planned crimes, we end this post with a look at 61-year-old James Anthony Welzenbach, who decided to rob the Talbot Bank of Tilghman located on Tilghman Island, an area home to around 800 residents. Shockingly, Welzenbach was quckly identified and arrested. He and subsequently plead guilty in Federal court, and now faces 25 years in the Federal pen.

Missing teenager

Police and family are ISO Kesley Ashwood, aka "Lil Woman"

Sad and weird

The case of murdered one-year-old Dalyire Damion McFadden just gets stranger. The mom locked up the house for the night, yet found her ear-biting, male-model babydad Hari Close III (left) somehow inexplicably in the house, then, went to bed with him, no questions asked, and in the morning left the one-year-old home alone...? weird weird weird. And how about that wacky misquote on Close's FB page:

"'I have learned that success is not measure by the position one has reached in life; but rather by the obstacles which he or she is striving to achieve.' - Booker T. Washington"

Phylicia Barnes update

The lawyer for the boyfriend of Felicia Barnes' sister has some interesting things to say about the investigation.

Murder Arrests, Disbarments, and so Much More...

Police have arrested a man in the stabbing death of Baltimore DPW worker David McClaughlin Jr. Terrence Fitzhugh faces charges of first and second degree murder.

Veteran attorney Stanley Needleman has plead guilty to tax evasion.Needleman, whose office was raided back in April, has agreed to disbarment and will pay over $1 million in fines.

Police investigate a double shooting in the 3300 block of Belle Ave.

Guilty plea in December 2010 stabbing death of a Severn pizza delivery man. Darrius Lynne Bullock, 19 faces 10-21 years for the for the fatal stabbing of Ghulam Farooq.

A guilty plea from Maximilian Hopkins Bode, 21, the driver of a snow plow that struck and killed a renowned former JHU fencing coach.

County police are investigating the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Tyran Smoot (Picture Right)

Police make a quick arrest in the first killing in Annapolis this year. Clifton William Tutt, 55, has been charged with the shooting death of 19-year-old Teon Wallace. Wallace, who in June beat charges of attempted murder, was wanted by police for Armed robbery charges at the time of his death. Of course his killer was no saint either having a criminal record dating back to at least 1990 including a 3 year prison term for a conviction related to an arrest for Attempted Murder.

Bonrick Lee Barksdale, the suspect in a North Carolina kidnapping and attempted rape was captured recently after escaping from an Annapolis courtroom.

20 years in prison for multi-time sex offender and newly convicted rapist James Mason III, age 30.

Arrest in a non-fatal stabbing in Howard County. 23-year-old Christopher Thomas Hecker has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing Brian Black Jr., 29.

The parents of a 14-year-old girl struck by a car, are pleading for the driver to turn themselves in.

Pennsylvania police have arrested Vincent Lloyd Minto, 41, wanted in Montgomery County for the 2009 murder of Clarence Rankine.

31-year-old Carroll County resident Zachary Scott Shanaberger has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. As part of his plea deal, Shanaberger admitted his role in bank robberies in Delaware, Georgia, and North Carolina.

The husband of a Wicomico County teacher was found dead in his home Wednesday. Jesse Davis, 58, was the main suspect in the disappearance of his wife, a 28 year veteran teacher at Parkside High School.

A Chevy Chase scientist has been convicted of espionage. Stewart D. Nozette, 54, who was caught on tape selling goverment secrets to what he thought was an Israeli intelligence officer will be sentenced to 13 years in prison.

10 years in Federal prison for Latin Kings #2 man Remy "King Remy" Heath. The 26-year-old gang leader plead guilty to racketeering charges back in November of 2010.

Also being sentenced to Federal prison time is 24-year-old Christopher Jackson. Jackson, exiled for being a felon in possession of a gun, was sentenced to 10 years in prison as well.

Finally, 5 very well deserved years at Club Fed for child pornography advertiser Michael Moskal, age 45.

In Non-Maryland news:

Former New Mexico Governer Bill Richardson made a surprise visit to Cuba in the hopes of securing the release of Marylander Alan Gross, who was serving a 15 year prison sentence in Cuba.

An appeal to be released from jail to Aruban authorities by Gary Giordano has been denied.

Virginia police obtain a warrent for Johnny D. Guillen Pimentel, 40, AKA the serial butt-slasher. Pimentel, who is still at large, is believed to be responsible for a series of attacks against Virginia area women earlier this year.

Many, many apologies for my extended absence from updating. A major change in schedule, a series of internet disabling events, and my own crippling lazyness have contributed to my time away. Again, my apologies, and i look forward to continuing to bring you the crime news of Baltimore, and beyond. -TAB

Here we go again

A date has been set for the third trial of Policarpio Espinoza Perez and Adan Espinoza Canela. Their previous conviction for murdering three children back in 2004 was thrown out on appeal this summer.

Don't miss

an enlightening interview with Shorty Davis on the Marc Steiner podcast.
Pull quote: "Why did I get arrested for the toilets? Because of the names on the toilets."

OMFGDFS!!

A ONE-YEAR-OLD boy was stabbed to death in SW Baltimore. His parents reported him as abducted, then his body was found in the basement, a la JonBenét. As if that wasn't horrifying enough, the boy on Riggs Avenue isn't the only one-year-old on the list, the death of Davon Booth Jr., who died a month ago of head trauma, has also been ruled a homicide.

And James and Kareem Clea were found not guilty in the death of Lemuel Wallace, the disabled man stabbed to death in a Leakin Park bathroom. Gregg Bernstein released a (very rare) statement expressing disappointment in the verdict*. And in today's edition of the Sun, the unappetizing deet that James Clea had a "sexual relationship" with former Arc employee Kevin Pushia; James' brother Kareem was accused of being the triggerman.

AND the man shot to death Sunday, Tony Laws, was the grandson of late local "point of light" Bea Gaddy.

*I'd publish Bernstein statements more, but they're rare, and in spite of my entreaties they come over as pdfs, and I just don't have the time or will to retype them with my other jobs and whatnot. This is how democracy fails, via a thousand little inconveniences that effectively bar access.

Barnes' sister filed restraining order

A city judge denied request filed by the sister of Phylicia Barnes seeking to keep her ex-boyfriend from contacting her.

Also, the tow scammers are back in business, so watch where you park near the Manufacturers and Traders "Emmittea Banks" Trust Company Raven® stadium.

Old-man enemy

Can you call someone a "boyfriend" if they're 51 years old and commit the unfriendliest of acts? In any case, Gary Allmond, 51, has been arrested for the murder of official victim #140, an unidentified woman.
Update: Woman Id'd as Janice Drayton, 51

Four people were shot this weekend and one victim, 31-year-old Antonio Laws, has died.

Cult mom Ria Ramkisson, now living in a "faith-based treatment center," gave an interview to the AP's Ben Nuckols.

And two pervs du jour, a balloon artist nabbed after trying to have sex with an age-regressed picture of a police officer, and a Christian-camp operator. (So 6c means 6" long and circumcised? Blogging is so educational!)

Speaking of 14-year-old boys, one in Lutherville was charged with attempted burglary after trying to break into a couple of houses.

And a Baltimorean with a chin-strap beard was arrested after allegedly driving all the way to Ohio to flash and attack Asian women.

but what about the clown cannons*?

Hot trend in conservative criminal justice circles: rehabilitation (!!)
It's not just for California and Newt Gingrich anymore!
Crazy stat: "If our nation were to return to the rates of incarceration we had in the 1970s, we would have to release 4 out of 5 people behind bars."


*a reference to one of my favorite blog comments of all time: "if you all vote for me as mayor, I'll transform some buidling to a local Gitmo where multiple felons will be locked up without trial until I['m] stripped of power or I find a clown cannon from which to launch them into the Inner Harbor."

You might be interested...

... fascinating article in this week's New Yorker about the judicial philosophy of Clarence Thomas.

Lunchtime Crime

Should a convicted sex offender be allowed to keep his real estate license?

Ah Baltimore, where parents think it's acceptable to let their elementary school age kids wander around alone at 1 AM.

Cops are looking for the driver from a fatal AA County hit and run.

ACLU sues Baltimore Police over right to videotape.

Phylicia Barnes's family isn't happy with the progress of the investigation into her death.

Dramiara Johnson died as a result of "massive head trauma," and now her mother has been charged in her death.

14 years after she went missing the remains of Toni Dee Vogel were identified. Her skeleton was found in Westminster in 2009.

Attorney Stanley Needleman has been charged with tax evasion.

William Hillar gets 21 months in prison for fraudulently pretending to be a former Special Forces officer.

Assault by live power line in Silver Spring.

Cops to Bernstein: Quit Drag-assing

The homicide closure rate is apparently way down (43%), homicide detectives are blaming prosecutors, and the police spokesman is blaming police (?!). Not. A. Good. Sign.

It's Saturday Night Crime... Live... Sort Of

The assistant to historian Barry Landau pleads not guilty. Jason Savedoff, 24, plead not guilty to his role in the theft of several historic documents.

The body of university professor Yulia Pogrebenko, 54, has been found in the Chesapeake Bay. No cause of death has been given yet.

New information comes to light in the Lemuel Wallace murder trial. Including the fact that Kevin Pushia, the pastor turned murder suspect had planned to murder his then boyfriend and his family.

An Ellicott City 17-year-old was secretly arrested by the FBI for allegedly being a co-conspirator of "Jihad Jane." The then 15-year-old identified only as Mohammed K was suspected of soliciting funds to help commit Jihad, and at one point had threatened to commit a school shooting.

He pissed off the wrong people... 37-year-old Braderick Green was sentenced to 11 life terms plus 185 years for shooting at city police officers. Of course life never really is life, so Mr.Green is actually eligible for parole in just 65 years, at the ripe age of 102.

It just keeps getting worse for Travis Vaughn, 19, who was not only shot in the shoulder by an off-duty security guard, but was also charged with attempted murder to boot.

When I see the words "Ravens Player, Inner Harbor" I tend to expect the worst. But this time I was pleasantly surprised to find that Ravens WR Tandon Doss was in the role of peacemaker.

An 18-year-old wanted by police for the May robbery of a local grocery store was shot at by police Wednesday. Lamont Thomas escaped injury but now faces a variety of serious charges.

I severely apologize for my long absence from posting, my computer broke recently and I have finally been able to replace it. Please note this is not a complete posting as i wanted to get something out before i possibly lose my power due to the storm.

Baltimorean sprung!

from Tripoli pen! Not only is Quaquacky really out & hiding in some tunnel like a tacky Hitler, but Matthew VanDyke's 31- or 2-year-old rump could (possibly) be ensconced on AirBama manana for surf & turf with Dutch!
What a happy twist, eh?

ps. he 'described his ordeal' to the BBC today (8/25), but the story doesn't say where he was when doing the describing. Pull quote: "I have OCD and I have it pretty bad and being in a filthy Libyan prison was not good for it at all. It was torture."

Baltimorean missing

... In Libya, in case you hadn't heard. Matthew VanDyke, 31, has been missing since March and has still not been found.