Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Shot in the Park, but Who's to Blame?

Update: The partially-clothed teenaged female found at the Mt. Washington RoFo at the crack of dawn was shot in Robert E. Lee Park and had walked to the store for help. She is in critical condition at Sinai.

Last night was "a violent night in Baltimore City after five shootings and one beating in less 12 hours."

Did you know? There's only one full-time overnight news videographer in town, and his name is Pete O'Neal.
"... having joggers find dead bodies is a more effective and vastly more cost-efficient crime fighting alternative than using local law enforcement."

Wednesday Morning

This just in: A woman was found shot in front of the Mt. Washington Royal Farms this morning. Police are looking for suspects.

Most loyal viewers have probably seen this in the comments section already but Councilman Jim Kraft has joined the calls for Margaret Burns, spokesperson for Patricia Jessamy, to be canned for her "sleeping baby" remarks.

Five Schools in The - former - City That Reads have been labeled "Persistently Dangerous" by the Maryland state school board. Its worth noting that the entire state of Maryland has five schools which has this designation, so do the math. But, to show you that behind every cloud there's a silver lining, five were removed!

D'oh, Kevin Clark's case was dismissed in the Baltimore City Circuit Court
. His lawyers intend to appeal.

Extremely interesting case: James Owens was convicted of first degree murder years ago and recently was given a new trial. However, the Judge overseeing the case has allowed the confession from years ago to remain as evidence. There's even more to it than that. Another fine writeup by Luke Broadwater.

Police have captured a man they believe shot an Anne Arundel County Police officer yesterday
.

Anna Ditkoff notes six murders that happened this past week, making her count 112 total.

In my Inbox

"This email is being sent out to about 200 employees in the office of
the Baltimore State's Attorney. I am what they call an examiner for Examiner.com and I want to know your opinions on the Margaret Burns situation. Feel free to email me from your personal email account if you have to. I have included some pertinent links below my signature. If any of you could encourage State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy to give a statement about this issue it would be helpful. Is any one in your office concerned about the impact of this situation on the reputation of your office? The refusal to comment seems to only add fuel to the fire and anger more citizens of Baltimore on a daily basis. It appears that your office thinks this situation will go away if you do not address it but in the last 24 hours the Daily Record, WMAR, WBFF, WBAL radio, and the Baltimore Sun have joined me in covering this issue. Councilman Kraft has gone on record as a supporter of the dismissal of Ms. Burns and this further reinforces the image of you going against the will of the citizens of Baltimore (the same people you are supposed to represent). This could soon turn in to a political
nightmare if your office and leader continue to maintain a stubborn silence. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Adam Meister

WBAL Radio Coverage:
http://wbal.com/stories/templates/smith_show.aspx?articleid=9574&zoneid=13

The Daily Record:
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=5960&type=UTTM

WMAR Coverage:
http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=f4b5b9c5-86d5-4560-b23d-9aec5ac3ac81
"

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Another big weed bust in the city! That's like, 600 pounds in a month!
(Wonder what percentage that is of how much passes thru town?)

Officer Indicted for Manslaughter

The Grand Jury has indicted Thomas Sanders, 37, a police officer in the Northeast District, on a two-count indictment charging him with voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. An arraignment is scheduled for August 29, 2008 before the Honorable W. Michel Pierson. The state alleges that Sanders shot Edward Hunt, 27, of Aquarius Court, in the back at about noon on January 30, 2008 at the Hamilton Park Shopping Center. Officer Sanders is expected to turn himself in to authorities.

National

"At the Uneasy Intersection of Bloggers and the Law"
An AACounty officer shot in the city (not fatally)

Tuesday Morning (Not as thrilling as the store, but...)

Chuck described this incident better than I ever could: Stabby Cabbie. I must confess it made my morning to read that.

Some 23 year old was indicted for the murder of Effrem Kearney, #9 of the year.

Robbers targeted two downtown banks yesterday, successfully robbing the Provident bank on Lexington Street and falling short at the M&T bank on Pratt Street. The police are still looking for suspects. Oh well, if at first you don't succeed ...

Orlando Gilyard got nine years in Federal Prison for Bangin'. So far the US attorney's office has 48 people with either indictments or pending cases. I suggest that we rename US Attorney Rod Rosenstein "Hot Rod".

Within the next 24 hours we should know if the case of Kevin Clark - Baltimore's former top cop - will go forward.

Lt. Terrence McLarney - Law School graduate and respected veteran - has taken over one of the hardest jobs in Baltimore, commander of the BPD Homicide Unit.

Not a crime story, but... Belinda Conaway, Legislative Scholar connected with such groundbreaking resolutions as a statue for a dead horse, has now made calls to shift Baltimore's government to a four day work week. At this pace she'll be mayor by 2011.

Citing a lack of evidence, the State's Attorney's office has dropped charges against Carolyn Redd, charged with murdering her mother in February 2007. She should be freed today, while Lawrence Page - Redd's boyfriend who is connected with the murder - has a postponed trial until October.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Monday evening

Being in this blog is like being in the Godfather or the Crips or something. I retire, you throw me a big fancy retirement party (thanks for coming out, y'all), and four days later I'm reading shit in the media and blogging about it. I get out, and they pull me back in. Sigh.

With that said, Baltimore Cynic is my new hero. And if you didn't read Sean's comments a few days ago, you really should. Keep it up, Sean.

Over the weekend, 27-year-old Eric Little got into a booze-fueled spat with his 17-year-old brother, Calvin Ray. Eric 'fessed up to stabbing Calvin, then the cops told him Calvin was dead. It's not often that I feel much sympathy for killers in this town, but something tells me that Little had no real intention of hurting his little brother. It's a rough case no matter whose perspective you view it from.

The last paragraph of the link above has 30 words on a double shooting on Braddish Ave. in West Baltimore that left one man dead. (I'm not sure whether or not you saw this one, Cynic; finding bodies in the city's media is kind of like finding eggs at an Easter egg hunt. It's tricky at first, but after a year or two, you learn all the good hiding places.)

WMAR actually wrote something semi-comprehensive about the two teens who were (allegedly) tortured for (allegedly) ripping off Christopher Johnson's PS3. Why teenagers being beaten, burned, and sodomized over a video game system isn't front page material is completely beyond me.

Media Blabber

TDR: "Even though at least 34 journalists at The Sun have applied for buyout packages, the paper will still need to lay off employees to achieve its goal of eliminating 60 newsroom jobs by August."

The Wally Jay reviewed Cop in the Hood by sociologist and former BPD officer Peter Moskos.

Saratoga Street is not about to drop Sleeping-Babygate (you can't call one of their reporters a liar and expect them to drop it)!

Monday, and the Forecast is bleak

As reported by Sir Galt, there was a double shooting in Clifton Park yesterday which left one person dead, and another injured.

As if that isn't bad enough, City police are reporting three nonfatal shootings throughout Baltimore as well from that day. Interesting that they would describe a shooting in such a pleasant, euphemistic way.

Local Firefighters pulled the body of a young woman from the Inner Harbor today.

In response to what can only be described as idiocy and inefficiency squared, Mayor Dixon recommended upgrades to the City Courts' computer system. I wonder if Dale Clark is busy?

In response to placing his client in Supermax instead of psychiatric care, an attorney for Kevin Johns intends to appeal to the Court of Special Appeals.


It isn't technically a crime, but darn it, it should be: The NAACP is investigating Lexington Market because of its policy that clients must purchase food in order to purchase booze. Another fine piece of work of the Baltimore NAACP - how is their paper murder tally going anyway?

Sgt. Robert Smith, who was falsely accused of a sex offense and removed on duty, is now back on the job... with perks! Perhaps the NAACP should get that attorney to investigate their miscarriage of justice.

The Baltimore Sun discusses the BPD's efforts to put away the 960 most dangerous offenders in the City, as well as the problems that the Judiciary sees with it..
And... discuss!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Morales caught in Dundalk

Edward Ericson Jr. of the City paper notes that Jose Morales Jr. - (alleged) thief, arsonist, and all around bad guy who doesn't like showing up to court - has been captured in Dundalk, and is now being held without bail. I guess this would be because he's a flight risk...

With charges awaiting him in four different counties in Maryland, one has to wonder if he's concerned with the Trespassing charge he may get.

Extra credit to Ed for the clever title of the update!

Government Criminal Justice Roundup, week of 7/5

Baltimore's State's Attorney's Office:

COUPLE SENTENCED IN HANDGUN CASE

July 9, 2008 – Today, Judge John Carroll Byrnes sentenced Dyrell Ricks, 22, and Mary Lou Walker Ricks, 24, of the 1900 block of Alto Vista Avenue for handgun convictions. Dyrell Ricks, 22, was sentenced to five years without parole for prohibited possession of a regulated firearm and three years suspended with three years supervised probation on handgun in vehicle. His wife, Mary Lou Walker Ricks was sentenced to probation before judgment with two years supervised probation on one court of wear, carry, or transporting a handgun on her person. Mrs. Ricks has no prior convictions. Both will be required to register with the Gun Offender Registry Act.

A Baltimore city jury found each guilty on May 1, 2008 based on the following summary of facts. On May 11, 2007 in the 2600 Block of Harford Road at 1:30 a.m. officers of the Baltimore Police Department stopped a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle mentioned at roll call. As police approached the vehicle the passenger Dyrell Ricks ran from the vehicle but was stopped a short distance away. The driver of the vehicle was Mary Walker. Officers located a Taurus 9mm handgun loaded with 3 rounds in plain view in a bag on the front passenger side of the floor.

Assistant State's Attorney Charles Fitzpatrick of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

------

BALTIMORE CITY GRAND JURY INDICTS
GEORGE THOMPSON FOR SOLICITATION TO COMMIT FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FIRST DEGREE MURDER

Baltimore, MD – July 10, 2008 – State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced today that the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted George Thompson, 37 of the 1400 block of Shefford Road, for solicitation to commit first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder.

Court documents allege that on June 12, 2008 George Thompson solicited and conspired with an associate to kill his wife.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for August 4, 2008 before Judge Michel Pierson, Room 329, Courthouse East.

US Attorney's Office:

Maurice Young, age 43, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to bank robbery with a dangerous weapon and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. The guilty plea came during the fifth day of his trial in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

See the full release here.
-----

U.S. District Judge William M. Nickerson sentenced Joel Travis Nunnally, age 28, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, today to 154 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for armed bank robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Nickerson also ordered Nunnally to pay restitution of $2,228.

See the full release here.
----

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Erick Wotulo, age 61, a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia, and a retired Indonesian Marine Corps General, today to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and money laundering, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Wotulo will be deported from the United States after serving his sentence in federal prison.

See the full release here.

Friday, July 11, 2008

It's Friday Night, Does the BPD Know Where Your Kids Are?

Curbing Crime with Child Curfew Centers? (Say that five times fast). Not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, if it will keep kids out of trouble (and harm, in this case) perhaps it has its merits. On the other hand, should the Government be responsible for enforcing certain behavior that the parents should? Also, is it a violation of rights by holding them?

The parents have had their say, but what do you think?

Friday, part uno

Around 2am this morning in North Baltimore, a man was shot after allegedly charging an officer with a knife. This marks the 12th police shooting this year. Clearly he's never heard the saying, "Never bring a knife to a gunfight."

Police have made arrests in the murders of Robert Long (#42), and Sandy Howard (#94).

"Name that Campaign" Contest: The Baltimore City State's Attorney's office has just received a grant to hire a Social Worker that will help women charged with prostitution.
Pick a catchy name for this new project. And... go!

From the "GO ON..." Department: Johns Hopkins Hospital was rated as the best hospital in the US for the 18th straight year. In the meantime, Baltimore's been a violent cesspool for many years. Coincidence? I think not...

... I mean, after all, why should our dear mayor care about crime in Baltimore when there are WNBA teams to get and Cell phones to keep from your employees while driving? WNBAStat and CellphoneStat, here we come!

I don't know who to be more annoyed with about this, the Police or the Prosecutors: The State's Attorney's office could be dropping hundreds of cases (possibly) after finding some of the cops may be no good, crooked liars.

Anna Ditkoff continues to illuminate the idiocy of the town we all live in in the News Hole. Hmm. When I think about the criminal behavior in this city juxtaposed to the level of precision and concern, I think Baltimore reminds me of another kind of hole...

Lewin Powell, Jr. comes to the defense of his son, currently charged with beating his mother to death with a baseball bat.

Deer hunters will now be allowed at the Loch Raven Reservoir pretty soon. Whether or not this will lead to more deer kills is unknown but I suspect it may cause more 'accidental' shootings over drinking the last Natty Boh.

BaltCo police are currently looking for a driver connected with a hit and run last night that left three people injured.

More to come today...

BCrime, TBC Style - Get in on It

Rather than subject our loyal visitors to a non-centralized location to get their crime fix, I've opted to help out for the time being.

Baltimore's "Little Dear" population doesn't rest, and neither will we. See you on the comment boards...

BCrime is on hiatus ...

please leave a messsage!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

I'm so hungry, I could rob at Arby's

FHB-III: Two of five working-girl stranglings "are not related."

The Ink documents a "conspicuous spike" in murders;
the city's recent shootapalooza is worrying Bealefeld.

Read and learn how drug dealers launder money with used cars.
(The CP assures us that their site is safe, it was hacked several days ago but is now fixed.)

115 juvenile offenders have been arrested on outstanding warrants.

Maurice Young, 43, pleaded guilty to home invasion, string of bank robberies

Why do the child rapists always flee to Baltimore?

Suprise, surprise, Dixon says there's only one way to keep criminals from being released by mistake: "a large infusion of money"

Blotter: Take the cell phone, leave the roast beef sandwiches

Doug Gansler got $200k and a cleanup deal from Velsicol Chemical Co. in Easton.

Interesting comments on the WSJ's "Baltimore=hellhole" Op-Ed

Hope to see you all tonight at "Happy" "Hour"!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

July 9

Another strangled woman was found on Monday, the fifth since April. Police have created a squad to investigate, and have seemingly changed their tune from "the cases aren't related" to "it is way too early to tell if any of the cases are related."

Only in Baltimore! A man who was shot in the chest drove himself to the ER at JH hospital, literally.

Carolyn Pierce of the E: Wendell Keys, 40, of Gwynn Oak, is being tried in a cold-case rape that detectives cracked using DNA from a woman abducted outside a Linthicum nightclub almost 18 years ago.

Police found the parents of that wandering toddler, and his babysitter got a generous job offer from the District Court Commissioner's office.

19-year-old Quadir Butcher was indicted in the death of Derrell E. Smith, who was one of two men shot on the front porch of a rowhouse June 2.

You can have your records expunged if you were detained and released without charge, or your name is Keith Mills.