February 15

It wasn't gang related, he hadn't stolen their girlfriend, and he didn't owe them money for drugs. Nope, looks like 16-year-old Dundalk resident Joshua Gibson was a victim of the dreaded random attack. At least it happened in the county, so perhaps the douchebags who killed him will get more than a stern talking-to.

Stephen Todd Nelson awoke from his coma and confessed to throwing his little boy off the Bay Bridge.

Leroy Wooden was arrested in the Southern and charged with murdering Barry Newman in August. The beauty of it all is that if somebody had told Leroy that he shouldn't beat up his woman, he might still be free.

A man was shot in the parking lot of the Rite-Aid on Frederick Ave. in the Southwestern. Police are looking for a heavyset male with a black shirt and blue jeans, a description that fits me perfectly.

First he beats up skateboards, now we learn he's beating up boxes.

AAC Sheriff "Flowers by Ron" Bateman is a pretty clever guy. Not so romantic, maybe, but clever.

Eric Griswold doesn't quite understand the whole drug-dealer-handshake thing.

Witness Intimidation Indictment

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Raymond Sheppard, 35, of the 1100 block of N. Carey Street for witness intimidation and harassment. Court documents allege on November 19, 2007, Raymond Sheppard threatened a witness in a pending felony criminal case. The victim reports on three subsequent occasions Sheppard threatened to kill her and family members if she gave testimony in an armed-robbery case. An arraignment is scheduled for March 7, 2008 before Judge John P. Miller, Room 428, Mitchell Courthouse East.

February 14

Shootings, shootings, everywhere! A Hopkins employee was shot outside a food store on Greenmount Ave., a man was shot in both legs on Biddle St., a teenager was shot outside a Chinese restaurant on Belair Rd., a man was shot in the foot on Herndon Ct., and some dude was robbed at gunpoint of his lottery ticket in Owings Mills (but not shot).

Four people-- three teenage boys and a girl-- were arrested for the murder of 16-year-old Joshua Gibson in Essex. The suspects and the victim did not know one another, and police say Gibson was attacked for "no apparent reason."

Headline that sounds dirty but isn't: "O'Malley urges DNA collection"

No criminal charges will be filed against Anthony McCarthy, Mayor Dixon's former communications director who was accused of "inappropriate" behavior. So we'll probably never find out what he was accused of.

The skateboarder is getting his 15 minutes.

Hey, Carl the carjacker, maybe you should'a thought about getting a lawyer before the day your trial started. Guess the courts beat you again!

The city is working with other cities to... get this... create a database! (Didn't see that coming, didja?) This time, gun offenders are the target.

A couple of New Yorkers got caught stealing in Annapolis.
Handy tip: "The women ... had 'boosting bags,' or shopping bags lined with aluminum foil, to avoid setting off security scanners at store exits."

A 12-year-old Mazda got stolen because the owner was (allegedly) too damned lazy to turn that little thingy that sits on the side of the steering column. Fortunately, the thief crashed the car almost immediately afterwards.

Wow. Unless we start doing some crimes, I'm going to be stuck linking to articles about restaurants who leave customers with useless gift cards.

February 13

What's Fred's secret? Says the Ink, "the city has had almost half as many homicides as it did at this time last year."

A teenager shot in the stomach Monday, a man shot in the leg Tuesday.

A nurse who had contact with Bryanna Harris as an infant took it upon herself to visit the family about 30 times and bring diapers and formula.
WTF?! Now, "prior to a birth, a nurse who has concerns about the future safety of an infant will be able to alert Social Services." They couldn't do that before?!

Somebody stoledid a ambalance! It was "last seen on I-495 heading into Virginia with its lights and sirens on." Whoo whoo!

Hey, Annie Linskey is back! Today finds our intrepid reporter reporting on watchers watching the watchmen.

Baltimore on the global scene! The cop v. skateboarder clip made CNN's "American Morning," (and is the fifth most-watched video of the day) and the BBC asked some choice Baltimore voters which candidates they prefer.
(thanks Simon)

Counties
County police are looking for a blurry burglary suspect.

In Towson, a man whose pit bull mauled two children got probation.

Hagtown: "Fists Swing At MD Trooper Child Porn Sentencing"

E-mail from the DNC

"The AP has reported an Anne Arundle County Judge has expanded voting hours in Maryland from 8:00pm to 9:30pm due to weather conditions."

"Arundle"?!
Well, you get the idea, anyway!

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 6

The latest post from Sudhir Venkatesh and the Thugs is up at Freakonomics.

February 12

Nicholas Browning was indicted on four counts of murder and handgun charges. He is on special watch, and is being observed by medical staff at the Baltimore County jail. My guess is he's sad that he can't drive that sweet Expedition.

The body found in Bel Air on Saturday has been ID'd as 57-year-old Paul Michael Shupe. Cause of death hasn't been determined, but there are no outward signs of foul play.

Prison justice is alive and well.

It's a bad news day for the BPD. Officer Salvatore Rivieri got caught on YouTube harassing some of Baltimore's most dangerous criminals. Officer Christopher Vallejo was found guilty of second-degree assault for attacking a woman in Federal Hill last September when he was off-duty. A woman in Baltimore filed a $40M lawsuit because Officer Ray Woodward allegedly punched her 16-year-old son in the face and broke his jaw for no apparent reason.

It's also a bad news day for (alleged) rapists. Dwight Carter was arrested and charged with raping a 13-year-old friend of his step-sister. Thomas J. Grant was given two consecutive life sentences for the 1979 rape and murder of Sheila "Sis" Bazemore Rascoe. Cortlandt Harvey Dorsey pleaded guilty to raping a 56-year-old Kenyan tourist in 2006.

And there's been bad news for people who eat: A couple was robbed in Little Italy while taking a walk after dinner, a pizza delivery guy in Pikesville was robbed of money and pizza, and a gunman ordered food at a Dunkin Donuts on Reisterstown Rd. and then stole the contents of two cash registers. No word on whether or not he got away with any donuts.

I am Not a Dude!

It's cop v. skateboarder!
(Thanks Marc)

Here's where you can find your sample ballot for today's primary. Did you know you're also voting on judges and delegates? Who knew?

February 11

A man was standing at a corner on E. Baltimore St. early Friday morning when he was stabbed in the stomach.

There's a blue light special on homemade bombs.

"Spoiled kid" Nicholas Browning "didn't like his father because he used to always yell at him and stuff."

Allan A. Banks was charged with murdering Collin Mazyck on Tivoli Ave. last month. Mazyck's family say he was walking to a Chinese restaurant, but police are investigating the possibility that he was robbed while buying weed.

Ex-offenders are working with the Baltimore Health Department to try to stop the violence in the city.

"It's gonna take [guys] like us in the 'hood," (Donte) Barksdale, 33, was saying to a young man he met on Monument Street last week, not far from the Safe Streets office, pressing a flier into the youth's hand. "The police can't do it. It's impossible."

Aspiring criminals, be careful with that next tattoo.

The Examiner profiles Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson.

Lawsuit: Monogamous spouse smeared as ‘swinger’

Kid's Corner!
Here's that Sun editorial that's annoying everyone: "At 15, still a kid"

WTF?! Bus-beating defendant doesn't understand the words "justified" or "initial."

A program by correctional officers scares 11-year-olds straight with the spectre of public pooping.

February 10

Prosecutors dropped all charges against Oscar Adams, the second gunman accused of murdering pregnant Ashley Harris, 19, in front of Club Choices in March of 2006.

A fire this morning in in the 1900 block of Edmondson Avenue may have been arson.

"Body Mystery In Bel Air"

Free to work 14 hours on Tuesday? You can make $150 as an election judge! <- opens .pdf

Editorials: Rodricks bitches about jury duty.

February 9

Emmanuel M. Bryant of Lansdowne was murdered in the Southwestern on Thursday afternoon.

"Turner was Stephen's world." Then maybe he shouldn't have, you know, thrown him into the damned river. (Allegedly, of course.)

Annapolis police released a sketch of a suspect in January's double murder, but the Sun didn't run it.

The kids are talking about Nick Browning on Facebook. Meanwhile the Sun's Julie Scharper and Justin Fenton report on the (alleged) motive:

"He told police that he was upset that his father forced him to attend a Boy Scout camp in Western Maryland, where the Browning family had a vacation home and frequently spent weekends. A week away from his 16th birthday, he also resented that his father told him he could not immediately use a Ford Expedition that was to be a present, a source with knowledge of the investigation said."

The music director of Sheila D's church was charged with raping a 13-year-old churchgoer.

A woman in Annapolis has been charged with pimping out her 16-year-old daughter for money and crack.

The Original Steakhouse and Sports Theater in Parkville is holding a fundraiser for the Griffin family on Monday.

"Two Farmers Convicted and Sentenced for Causing the Deaths of Three Bald Eagles and a Great Horned Owl"

A Year for Doobage

.. technically, anyway:

In a 20-minute hearing today on a defense motion to quash a 20-year-old bench warrant for failing to appear in court for sentencing on a decades old marijuana charge, the Honorable John N. Prevas sentenced Britt D. Glenn, 42, of California to one year in prison for possession of marijuana. The court continued his pending assault case for a hearing on March 17.

The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland ruled in 1986 that Britt was entitled to a new trial following a conviction for assault with intent to murder. At that time, he was also convicted, but never sentenced on the marijuana charge and never appeared for trial on the assault charge following the Court’s ruling. Judge Milton Allen issued a bench warrant when he failed to appear.

At the hearing today, prosecutors noted that Glenn has been a fugitive from justice for over 20 years and had not been sentenced for the marijuana conviction and was out on bond at the time the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland ruled in 1986. Mark Cohen, Homicide Chief, prosecuted today’s hearing.

February 8

Police are investigating the shooting death of Kamia Hair, 25, found in the 1800 block of Bolton Street by her son.

Children "in Baltimore are eight times more likely to die from homicides as children nationwide or in Maryland as a whole," and twice as likely to die of injuries.

Related: Julie B. interviews the self-described "most kindest person in the world," methadone-murder mom Vernice "Peaches" Harris.

Phillip Queen was arrested Wednesday in the death of three-year-old Jabari Stocks last June.

Charming funeral director robbed grieving families, got 4 1/2 years in federal pokey.

Three men and a woman were arrested last night during a raid in the McCulloh Homes in West Baltimore and have been charged with multiple drug violations.

Examineratorial: student protests a waste of time

Life + 20 for Killer of Mark Jones

Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Raymond Handy, 37, of the 500 block of East 30th St. to life in prison for first-degree murder, plus 20 years consecutive for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. A city jury convicted Handy December 13, 2007. This sentence will be served consecutive to a 14-year sentence Themelis handed down today for a violation of probation. Handy pleaded guilty June 13, 2002 to CDS possession with intent to manufacture in which 15 years was originally suspended. Details:

On May 1, 2005 at approximately 1:20 p.m. officers responded to the 2900 block of Greenmount Avenue for a shooting. Mark Jones, 40, was found shot and was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses identified Handy as the shooter.

The victim was one of 18 siblings, and a member of a close knit, church-going family, many of whom were in the courtroom for the sentencing. Three members of the victim’s family, including his mother, gave victim impact statements. The defendant had been lifelong friends with the victim, and grew up with the victim’s family.

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

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 5

Tony-T, Shine, Orlando, and Flavor are back to review episode 5 of The Wire. Today, they discuss black serial killers and The Coin.

February 7

A 16-year-old City College student was abuducted and raped in a vacant house in Waverly while she was waiting for a safe and reliable MTA bus.

Turner Nelson's mother doesn't believe the boy's father, who is in a coma after a suicide attempt, could have thrown the boy into the Patapsco River. She believes Turner will reappear.

Nicholas Browning's guardians have retained Joshua R. Treem, Lee Boyd Malvo's defense attorney. Meanwhile, a few people who knew Nicholas are saying he wasn't such a great guy after all.

Olesker talks to the Brownings' pastor.

The beating of Kishor Kc is depressingly similar to Zach Sowers' beating, but Kc's assailants will probably get off even easier because they're younger.

A whole lotta child abuse in Annapolis.

Robbing and beating and stabbing, oh my!

A man was shot when two men tried to rob him and his girlfriend in his driveway in Severna Park.

Collin Hawkins is facing life for carjacking and gun violations, and still faces charges for shooting BPD Officer Momodu Gondo in 2006.

Two prisoners who stabbed two guards at Maryland House of Correction got... ummm... more prison time.

Edward Lamont Hunt's family hired A. Dwight Pettit to help them figure out how much money they can make because why police shot Hunt.

Beware of "firefighters" bearing your computer.

Murder Concivtion, Indictments

From your hardworking SA's office:

A City jury convicted Ajamilla Longmore, 20, of the 5000 block of Linden Heights Avenue of first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The trial began January 28. Longmore faces a maximum possible prison term of life in prison plus 20 years when sentenced by Judge John C. Themelis on March 6. On December 13, 2006 at 9:38 p.m. Longmore approached Ronald Stewart, 29, while walking in the 4000 block of W. Belvedere Avenue. Longmore then shot Stewart six times. Stewart was pronounced dead on the scene. The jury found co-defendant Ernest Hudson not guilty of first-degree murder. Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Banks of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

The City Grand Jury indicted Tyrone Allsberry, 65, of the 400 block of E 25th Street, for first-degree murder and deadly weapon charges. Court documents allege that on January 12, 2008, Allsberry was responsible for stabbing Willie Clayton Joyner, 18, inside the 25th Street market. Joyner and a friend allegedly was inside the market when Allsberry entered and approached Joyner inquiring about money. He then produced a knife and stabbed Allsberry in the chest. Joyner collapsed and fell to the ground outside the market. He died later at Johns Hopkins Hospital. An arraignment is scheduled for March 10, 2008 before Judge Gale E. Rasin, Room 509 Courthouse East.

The City Grand Jury indicted Joshua Rice, 27, of the 500 block of Yale Avenue for first-degree murder and deadly weapon charges. Court documents allege on December 14, 2006, a match from the DNA database identified Joshua Rice as the person responsible the strangulation death of Jennifer Fishbach in May 2004. Fishbach’s decomposed body was found in a second-floor bedroom in the 1200 block of Bayard Street on May 22, 2004 with a wire coat hanger around her neck. She was identified through fingerprints and DNA. An arraignment is scheduled for March 7, 2008 before Judge Gale E. Rasin, 509 Courthouse East.

February 6

Rod J. Rosenstein today announced a seven-count federal grand jury indictment charging four Baltimore men with the murder of Carl Stanley Lackl on July 2. All four defendants are eligible for the death penalty.

Ink: Three murders this week, 16 so far this year.

Cockysville murder kid Nicholas Browning's aunt was also killed by domestic gunfire.
Like, duh: "Experts said easy access to guns was a common thread in cases where children kill their parents."

MdTA Police are preparing murder charges against Stephen Todd Nelson, 37, who police believe threw his 3-year-old son off the Key Bridge into the Patapsco River on Sunday. Nelson is reportedly in a coma after ingesting household cleaners.

"Baltimore City’s broad and complex parking ticket investigation intensifies"

Algebra Project students arrested, lectured. Teacher: arrests were part of the plan.

February 5

An unidentified man was found at about 9 a.m. Saturday morning, lying on his back shot to death in the 1600 block of W. Lafayette Avenue.

An 18-year-old was shot in the upper body after getting off of a (what else?) MTA bus in Windsor Mill.

WTF?! "Steven Vernarelli claims he was walking to Johns Hopkins Hospital in October, when he was stopped for no reason and sodomized with his own paper money by a Baltimore City police officer."

El Jizz: "Undercover Maryland Troopers Pose As Hitmen & Prevent Hundreds Of Murders!"

Judge Kaye Allison sentenced Davon Pearson, 20, of the 800 block of Vine Street today to life in prison for conspiracy to commit murder, 30 years in prison, concurrent, for second-degree murder and 20 years, consecutive, for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. A Baltimore City jury convicted Pearson December 10, 2007. Details:

Late in the evening on August 2, 2006 Pearson met up with an associate only identified as “Bobby” in the area of the 400 block of East Lynn Avenue. Witnesses testified that “Bobby” asked Pearson to “take care of a problem for him” in exchange for an ounce of cocaine. Just past midnight, “Bobby” provided Pearson with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Pearson then followed the Victim, Howard Jones, onto the 2600 block and shot him in the back of the head. Mr. Jones died on the street. Multiple eye-witnesses identified him as Mr. Jones’ killer.

At the trial, Pearson, his fiancé and mother testified that he had been at a neighborhood candlelight vigil protesting violence among young men and then later at his fiancé’s house in Baltimore County at the time of the murder. The jury rejected Pearson’s alibi. Assistant State’s Attorney E. Wesley Adams of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Prosecutors in Carroll County are appealing the dismissal of charges against the Bowling Brook counselors who were charged with reckless endangerment in last year's death of Isaiah Simmons.

Bowzer from Sha Na Na wants to ban imposter bands.

The GM of WYPR went on-air this morning to explain the station's recent deSteinering. Meanwhile, listeners are puh-issed.
("I've got WAMU on, right now. It's FREAKING RINGING THROUGH MY WHOLE HOUSE. THE WINDOWS ARE RATTLING. I CAN'T MAKE IT FREAKING LOUD ENOUGH. Hello, Kojo!")

February 4

More on the murder of the Browning family, and the vigil that was held for them last night.

Someone might have thrown a child off of the Key Bridge. Or they might not have. Nobody really knows yet.

Two people were murdered at a Uno Chicago Grill in Largo right around the time the Giants scored their first touchdown.

A pizza-delivery man was beaten in Edgewood on Saturday night and is in serious condition at Shock Trauma.

The man charged with killing Finksburg video store manager Gary Hatfield was described as depressive, reclusive, weird, and bad at tying his shoes.

In the Blotter: A shooting near The Block, a lack of information about the man killed on Federal St., some former-employee aggression, and a wheelchair joyride in the halls of Perry Hall Middle School.