November 20

Melvin Gilbert and Darron Goods were indicted for shooting witness John Dowery last Thanksgiving.
Here's the original story. Gilbert & Goods are allegedly members of the "Special" drug gang. (Was it hard to find spinning rims that fit the wheels on the short bus?)

Scandal! Last night Dixon suspended Anthony W. McCarthy, her communications director, "pending an investigation by the Baltimore County Police" regarding "inappropriate behavior." Please God, let it be gay bathroom sex!
UPDATE: JZ reports that County police spokesman Bill Toohey "said standard procedure in 'such cases' is to 'talk to the victim first and then, if necessary, to interview the subject.'" So someone was victimized by inappropriateness! Juicy!

The Post on the now-unraveling forensic trail that led to the conviction of county police sergeant James A. Kulbicki.

Nationwide, hate is haute, but Baltimore city isn't following the trend. Said NAACP president Jenkins Odoms, "Baltimore City is outrageous. It shows you how bad and how unprofessional that police department is.”
Here's a quality hate crime article from New York, and more on the increase in hate crimes from TDR.

Blotter: a woman stabbed her brother in the stomach, someone poured a bottle of gefilte fish in a Jewish family's mailbox, Charm City Cupcakes was burgled, an old guy was mugged by teenagers in Hampden, and more!

A federal jury rejected a former legal secretary’s claim that she was wrongfully fired from the Baltimore office of McGuireWoods LLP for taking time to care for her ailing mother.

Jail time for convicted poodle-slayer Celeste Rainone.

The Liz Taylor of Fraud!

James Adjei Kyem pleaded guilty in federal court today to marriage fraud, perjury and passport fraud related to his nine sham marriages.

Meet the Alleged Child Molester of the Day

David Christopher Cross, 30, shown right, charged with two counts of child abuse and two counts of a third-degree sex offense. Cross, who lives in the 100-block of Daycoach Circle in the County is accused of victimizing two children that he knew. One was a girl who was six years old when she was first victimized in 1998. The abuse continued for four years. The other victim, a nine-year-old girl, reported being abused once this summer. Police are looking for other victims.

November 19

At a hearing today David Robinson, 35, of the 4000 block of 34th St., pled guilty to attempted armed robbery and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge M. Brooke Murdock sentenced Robinson to 15 years in prison, the first five of which must be served without parole. Details:

On April 5, 2007 at 1:45AM at Fantasies Nightclub Robinson’s co-conspirators Alexander Reiff and Gregory Eaton allegedly entered the club armed with a 9 mm Ruger handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun, announced a robbery, and ordered approximately 20 patrons and employees to the ground. Eaton then discharged the shotgun into the ceiling. Two off-duty police officers removed their service weapons and shot Reiff and Eaton. Eaton succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to Shock Trauma. Reiff also was shot but survived his injuries as he was wearing a bullet proof vest. His trial is scheduled for January 28, 2008.

Robinson was outside the club in a getaway Ford pick-up truck that they had stolen in Hyattsville earlier that night. Robinson fled the club and the abandoned truck was found near a relative’s house in Glen Burnie.

At a hearing today, Judge John M. Prevas sentenced Mark Lee Johnson, 26, of the 2600 block of Quantico Avenue, to 50 years in prison following a guilty verdict of second-degree murder and handgun counts. Details:

A Baltimore City jury convicted Johnson September 28, 2007 of second degree murder, attempted second degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Prevas sentenced Johnson to 30 years for the second degree murder count, 20 years, consecutive, for the handgun count and a concurrent 20 year prison term for the attempted murder count.

On January 22, 2006 at approximately 3:30 PM in the 3300 block of West Belvedere Avenue, Johnson approached Antwoine Armstead, 21, and Andre Gibbs, 22 as they were getting into a parked car. Johnson walked to the passenger side of the car and shot Armstead multiple times. Gibbs ran from the car and Johnson shot at him as he ran across West Belvedere Avenue. Armstead suffered seven gunshot wounds and was taken to Sinai hospital where he died a short time later.

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

"Baltimore Ranks 12[th] On Dangerous Cities List"
Only 12th?!

Police have arrested Lewis K. Lucas for the murder of Lawrence D. Jones, 17.
"In 2003, Lucas pleaded guilty to attempted murder and illegal use of a handgun. His 20-year sentence was suspended, and he was placed on probation."

Thwap! Zap! "An hours-long standoff with a man in Southeast Baltimore ended this morning when police subdued him using a bean-bag gun and a Taser, city police said."

Blotter: A man was shot about 8:35 p.m. yesterday in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Ave. and was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Police said the victim was not cooperating and that details were not available.
Also a Paca St. robbery, and two 17-year-old girls robbed and stabbed a classmate with a steak knife at the Owings Mills light rail station.

A Bealefeld interview:
"We can't [attack the drug problem] and give burglars and car thieves and robbers a pass."
"this really is ground zero for stop snitching."
"The state's attorney's office, this is where we want to devote our energy."

Olesker's holding a pity party for the Bromwells, and everyone's invited!

The City Council will soon vote on legalizing feral cat colonies.

Weekend

A man was shot to death Friday afternoon in the 3000 block of Rosiland Avenue.

The T.U. community is tense after someone phoned in to threaten "harmful action" on campus tomorrow. School officials note that "The nature of the threat calls into question its credibility."

NYT: Does the death penalty save lives? and if so, does it save more lives than hiring more cops would?

A man was stabbed at the Edge Sports Bar and Grill in Edgewood.

PDJ: William Henry Ransley III, age 60, of Finksburg, sentenced to five federal years for child porn. Ransley also had sex with the 14-year-old girl in the pictures; he met her on the Internet and had relations with her on an elementary-school playground. The related sex-offense charges were dropped to let the feds pursue their case.

TMI Alert! Pat Jessamy tells the Sun that red peep-toe pumps make her feel "sexy."
Fun fact: the Stuart Weitzman peep-toe was also worn by Nicollette Sheridan's character Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives, in an episode titled "Nice She Ain't."

Effed up in Fredneck:
A four-year-old boy was poisoned by his attention-seeking mom
and
a 20-year-old man, Jarrell Grey, died after being TASERed by cops. (FYI TASER is a brand name and an acronym)

November 16

Love it! Baltimore County sheriff’s deputies arrested 28 deadbeat parents.
Here's a link to the louts' gallery (thanks PP).

Former senator Thomas L. Bromwell got seven years in jail... and his wife got time too!

Blotter: Jamal Louis Randall, 18, was arrested for attempted murder.
And Shevon Green, 25, was busted for driving with 2,000 tabs of methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

Sentencing is scheduled today in Towson for tot-dragger Lazara Arellano De Hogue. UPDATE: She got 10 years.

HoCo police are urging residents to lock doors and windows and be on the lookout for a shoeless, Tasering home-invader/rapist.

Insomniac edition

An officer was shot in the leg and a suspect was shot dead tonight on E. Monument Street (police-involved shooting #32).

It's official: RJR has been nominated to the 4th circuit.

The family of slain 72-year-old Shirley Cooper filed a $14 million lawsuit against the Temple Gardens apartment complex, alleging that their lax security is to blame for letting her murderer in.

Murder suspect Brandon Wall: I meant to pistol-whip the victim, not shoot him

Dundalk chickenhawk Robert Layton got 25 years.

We can all sleep a little easier knowing that city police arrested an individual today whom they believe to be responsible for the copper downspout thefts in Homeland.
Scarier than pipe theft: electricity theft that can set your shit on fire

Not Baltimore, not a crime, but no doubt one of the most effed-up stories you will ever read (thanks JB).

November 15

Double-shooting this morning around 2:30 a.m. at the 7100 block of McLean Ave/Boulevard. One male, shot in the head, is dead. Another is critical with gunshots to the back. Police estimate 15 rounds fired.
Thanks galt

Police have warned Loch Raven residents about a gang of four robbers.

County police say that Tyrone Barnes, Jr. has been identified as the man fatally shot in the doorway of his home on Langs Road in Essex last night.

Former Howard County teacher Kirsten Ann Kinley was sentenced today in Circuit Court to serve 18 months in the county detention center for improper sexual conduct with a 15-year-old boy at her Columbia apartment more than two years ago.

Hours (well, minutes) of fun: take the "Fox News Anchor or Porn Star?" quiz! (Thanks Vic)

Night Update

Serial robber Brandon Wall, 21, has confessed to murdering Lt. Perry Brooks last May.

"Last month, Baltimore City's State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy surprised a meeting of law-enforcement professionals with the claim that unscrupulous bail bondsmen seized homes put up as collateral to get their loved ones out of jail. To date, however, the City's State's Attorney's office has supplied no evidence of people losing their homes."

Lots of robberies in the Blotter.

A missing Rhode Island mother of two with postpartum depression was found living in a less stressful environment: a downtown homeless shanty.

November 14

Another witness killed: "Carlos Smithson, 22, who was killed on Grogan Avenue at 6:28 p.m. [last Sunday], was expected to take the stand today against Vincent Berry, 19."

"Former Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin P. Clark and two of his former division chiefs have filed an multi-million dollar lawsuit against Gov. Martin O’Malley, former City Solicitor Ralph S. Tyler III and four police officers, claiming violations of their constitutional and civil rights in connection with the group’s firing in November 2004."

Two "delayed" deaths are being counted towards this year's homicide tally: Trent Earll, shot a decade ago, and Frederick Davis, beaten in 1999.
(Thanks PP)

The Ink reports the murders of Terrence Regan and Leonard Hunt.

In the County, a member of the Bloods pled guilty to a murder he committed at the tender age of 14.

A federal judge in Baltimore has unsealed the financial records of the Westboro Baptist Church. Meanwhile, the church is, of course, appealing the $10.9 million judgment.

WTF? "[Mary Pat] Clarke, who represents the 14th District, said several [robbery] victims were intoxicated at the time and suggested that they were setting themselves up to be victimized. Clarke said residents should lobby for a midnight bar curfew."
... she went on to add that several rape victims in her district had been wearing short skirts, some gay-bashing victims had been queening around, and some robbed banks had advertised themselves as being in the business of handling money!

County police are asking the public's help to identify a burglary suspect who stole lottery tickets and cigarettes from the Safeway on Baltimore National Pike.

Controversy about the murder of Calen Dirrubo continues in the February 27 comments section.

Copper Downspout Theft Alert.

From a Homeland neighborhood alert:

Over the weekend, the following areas had copper downspouts stolen:

5100 block of St. Albans Way

5200 block of St. Albans Way

300 block of Thornhill Road

5300 block of Springlake Way

300 block of Taplow Road

THESE ARE IN ADDITION TO THE THEFTS LAST WEEK (5200 block of Tilbury, 200 block of Goodale Road and 200 block of Tunbridge Road)

Ms. Dixon, why isn’t the city shutting down the scrap dealers who are accepting stolen copper???

... or all the other stolen metal?

November 13

Private school teacher Charles Carroll was acquitted of sexually abusing a student in August and now city prosecutors have dropped the remaining two cases against him.

State police are looking for an armed, dangerous escaped prisoner, 39-year-old Kamarra Muhammad, left. He was last seen barefoot in a white hospital gown and speaks in a West African accent. UPDATE: never mind, he's been captured!

Sunday's murder victim was identified as Carlos Eugene Smithson, age 22, of the 400 block of N. Robinson Street.

Antonio Brown, the little boy taken from the hospital by his 34-year-old (?!) grandmother was found yesterday in the 1800 block of Guilford Ave.

Fill in the blank: "Parents blamed _______ Monday for failing to prevent a fight that erupted after a football game between Baltimore City College and Polytechnic Institute and ended with the arrests of 28 girls" on Saturday.

Police cadet accused of robbing McD's: it wasn't me

Suckers! The Sun bit on an old story that the Catholic church has been touting since 2004-- the John Jay report that priests are no more likely to be child molesters than your average guy. That may be true, but on the other hand, not many employers spent decades helping perverts cover up their crimes and moving them into new positions with fresh victims, either!

November 12

A man was shot to death in a moving car that crashed at the intersection of N. Carey and Baker Streets on the west side.

The murder this weekend was on Grogan Avenue on the East side, still no details... other than that the shots disrupted a vigil for 16-year-old Shawn Tiller, murdered a year before.

Abdul Kareem Alvez-el, 23, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for shooting Ricky Medley, 19, and Martrell Brown, 16, as they sat in Medley's car.

Last Thursday, a man shot at police officers-- and lived.

Some happier news-- The county has opened an off-leash dog park!

Weekend

Fox reports that police are investigating a murder in the 2600 Block of East Grogan Street (which doesn't exist).

City police are looking for Belinda Brown, a 34-year-old grandmother (?!) who kidnapped 2-year-old Antonio Brown from Hopkins Hospital.

The price of cocaine has gone up 44 percent and methamphetamine is up 58 percent since January due to an increase in enforcement here and abroad.

MD State police documents: Hispanic men = macho, knife-toting drunks

The Department of Corrections is fighting rumors that murdered Officer David McGuinn had been the target of death threats and had been transferred away from the housing units as a result, but was then returned to the housing-unit assignment, where he was killed.
("Great moogly ooglies"?!)

What the ... ?! Crazed Annapolitan Shannika Douglas allegedly spit at children, chased them with a kitchen knife and then tried to run them down with her car (cue cuckoo-clock sound effect).

The man found in a house in the NW Thursday was identified as Leonard Hunt, 44, of Lumberton, North Carolina.

The family and friends of Ralph "Redz" Simmont, shot October 29 by an officer "took to the streets" this weekend.

Officials: "H. West" wrote as many as 10,000 fake tickets.

A prison guard in Cumberland has pleaded guilty to buttlegging.

PJD: Kent Eugene Turnbaugh, 55, who pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to distributing child pornography and attempting to "entice a minor [a 13-year-old girl from Alabama] to engage in sexual activity."

Post: "Montgomery County appears poised to join the ranks of 13 states and the District this week by passing broad protections for transgender individuals in housing and employment. But when the County Council takes up the issue for a vote Tuesday it will not include a controversial reference to their use of public restrooms, something opponents equated to indecent exposure."
(Wow, they make units that can pee in a urinal now?!)

RIP Norman Mailer! If you haven't read "The Executioner's Song," (the one about Gary Gilmore) you really should.
Update: this bio is better

Sentences

Johnny James Smith pleaded guilty today to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in a crime of violence before the Honorable Albert J. Matricciani. Smith was sentenced to life suspend all but 30 years with five years supervised probation on count 1 and 20 years, the first five years to be served without the possibility of parole on count 2. Details from the SA's office:

On April 2, 2007, at 2:16 AM, the victim, Darrell Smith, age 21, was found lying face down in the 3600 block of St. Margaret Street, with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and upper torso. The victim was transported to the hospital and died at 2:54 AM. An autopsy was performed and the victim’s death was ruled a homicide. The investigation revealed that the victim and his girlfriend’s former boyfriend were having a continuing argument when they entered 3720 St. Margaret Street. The girlfriend of the defendant lived at 3720 St. Margaret Street. When the defendant found out the victim was in the house, he went to the location and confronted the victim as the two walked out of the residence. The defendant pulled out a revolver and shot the victim multiple times at close range.

Jesse “James” Lynch, also known as James Langley, appeared before Judge Sylvester B. Cox and pleaded guilty to retaliation against a witness and was sentenced to 5 years. He was also found to be in violation of his probation and sentenced to 21 years, suspended, and placed on four years supervised probation upon his release from incarceration on the plea and sentence. Details from the SA's office:

Lynch was convicted of 2nd degree murder and handgun violations and was sentenced on February 9, 2006 to 25 years suspend all but 4 years and placed on 4 years probation upon his release. He was released from prison on January 25, 2007. Shortly after his release, on March 28, 2007 he was charged with riding a dirt bike on North Wolfe Street in the wrong direction, doing wheelies, and then fleeing and eluding when the police officer tried to stop him.

On September 20, 2007 Jesse Lynch went to trial on those charges. During a break in the trial Jesse Lynch was walking by the police officer who charged him and threatened him by stating he would get him back. A Baltimore City jury later acquitted the defendant.

While leaving the courthouse Lynch again saw and spoke to the charging officer and shouted to him, “I’ll get out in a week and I am going to shoot … you.” Based on these actions, the State’s Attorney’s Office filed a criminal information charging Jesse James Lynch with retaliation against a witness.

November 9

Horrifying blog post at AngerHangover: "... imagine my surprise when I read that I have been summoned to appear as a witness for the state in a jury trial for a man I’ve never even heard of." (Thanks AG)

Police are looking for 15-year-old Akir'e "Angel" Lane of Hamilton, right, who went missing after attending religious services in Hamilton on Sunday.

One bogus-parking-ticket-writing DOT employee, the mysterious "H. West" will be suspended today.

Blotter:
"A man was shot multiple times in the upper body shortly after 1 p.m. yesterday in the 800 block of Woodington Road and was admitted to Maryland Shock Trauma Center. His condition was not available. The victim was found lying in the street..."
A man in his early 20s was shot in the leg about 6:40 p.m. yesterday in the 500 block of Dolphin St.; Also, a 13-year-old boy was assaulted by "at least four young males," and in Parkville a man was shot in the head by a teenager trying to steal his Xbox.

Is dancing a crime? A teenage boy was arrested for doing the "Crip Walk."

Maryland has joined California's lawsuit against the EPA, claiming that the federal agency has failed to act in a reasonable length of time to force the auto industry to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

RJR has a new boss.

Double Shooting in Park Heights

WBAL tv reports that at about 10:20 a.m. a workman found two men in a house in the 2600 block of Oswego Avenue, one man was shot to death and the other is in critical condition at Sinai hospital.

November 8

Some guy has himself barricaded in a home in West Baltimore this morning. That can't end well...
UPDATE: "Gee, this guy is really stubborn!" It appears that police surrounded the house for seven hours... but there was no one inside!

The police cadet who was on suspension while being investigated for the robbery of a Parkville McDonald's, one Aaron Victor Seivers, has been fired... and is being charged as an accessory to the crime (is that all?).

More on yesterday's juvenile transfer hearing for Eric Price, accused in the robbery and beating of Zach Sowers. Julie and Gus report that the day after the Sowers beating, the four-man team robbed a woman at gunpoint a few blocks east of Patterson Park. And three days after that, they allegedly robbed and assaulted another man.
But they're locking up our babies!

In the County, a 90-year-old woman is being stalked by a crazy man.

Go judge! The video of Judge Ward grabbing Richard Sher's leathery lapels is a hoot!

Robber/ Carjacker Gets 35 Years

Judge Wanda K. Heard sentenced Aaron White, 21, of the 800 block of North Curley Street, to 35 years in prison-- 23 years for armed carjacking and 12 years for armed robbery -- ordered that the sentences run consecutively. A Baltimore City jury convicted White October 22, 2007 of armed carjacking, armed robbery and several other counts. Details from the SA's office:

On July 31, 2006 the victim, Anthony Carpinello, of New York City, was in the 1800 block of Ashburton Street, traveling from one work site to another. Mr. Carpinello is the president of a construction company working on a $22 million city contract to repair/install underground sewer lines near Liberty Heights Blvd. He became involved in minor traffic dispute and offered the other driver $100 to resolve the dispute, which satisfied the driver who then drove off. White witnessed this exchange and approached Mr. Carpinello, displaying a handgun White demanded the money he had seen in Mr. Carpinello’s hand, so Mr. Carpinello handed over in excess of $4,000 cash. As Mr. Carpinello began to close the driver’s side door, White kept the gun pointed at his head and said “no, I’m taking that, too.” White then drove off in the vehicle, a 2006 Range Rover.

Baltimore County officers found the vehicle the next morning at the Regal Motel, located at 8005 Pulaski Highway. Regional Auto Theft Task Force members conducted surveillance on the vehicle for about an hour, at which time White attempted to enter the vehicle and was then arrested. Recovered from White and the vehicle were the victim’s two cell phones, more than $1600 in cash and the victim’s wallet.

Assistant State's Attorney Michael Leedy, of the General Trial Division, prosecuted this case.

Near-Deadly Robberies Update

A juvenile transfer hearing for 16-year-old Eric Price, the final of four co-defendants charged in the beating of Zach Sowers, is scheduled for this afternoon at 2:30 p.m., in Room 215 of the Mitchell Courthouse, before Judge Stewart. Witnesses are expected to give statements. The other three defendants' motions have been denied.
UPDATE: Eric Price's motion was denied also.

Yesterday, a man was robbed, then and shot in the head and face in Owings Mills.