Cultists go on Trial

Poor Ben Nuckols, getting to cover the case of the nutjobs accused of starving little Javon Thompson. Jury selection has begun, with Queen Antoinette and Trevia Williams representing themselves, in spite of ample evidence that they're thorough and complete lunatics.
More from JZ

And in Rockville, trial also begins for the Calvert County woman accused of killing her daughters and storing their bodies in a freezer.

Down in A-town

Facebook harassment, foreclosure mediation and some guy's sperm problem among subjects of bills in the hopper at the State House. A fab roundup of coverage from the MD Reporter.

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Our murder-free week came to a close with the shooting death of 21-year-old man in the 3200 block of Woodland Avenue. No motives, suspects, arrests, etc.

Cop in hot water

A police supervisor in charge of wire taps has been transferred and is under investigation for testifying on behalf of a drug suspect.

Luncheon to be Held for Alleged War Criminal

The Baltimore Chapter of the Federalist Society will host torture memo scribe, author and essayist John Yoo this Thursday, Feb. 18 noon at Miles & Stockbridge.
The event is open to the public but you must RSVP to Brian Fish*

*former prosecutor best known on this blog for making the case against "DJ Tommy."

Want to go on a "Wild Ride"?

The very, very upsetting story of the many breaks given to sex-offender-turned-killer Thomas Leggs Jr.

TG this "domestic kidnapping" of two little girls ended safely!

Cookout

at the city jail...

Behind the wheel of a city snow plow

a little insight into why some side streets remain unplowed.

Other than a little Tasering and grumbling over Dixon's security patrol, and a couple of murders, snow time was peaceful in the city

TDR's Danny Jacobs: I'm the reason you can't Tweet in the courthouse

New mayor keeping tabs on Facebook and Twitter

the littlest criminals

News of the weird: Brit researcher says six-month-old infants capable of 'lying'

.. but it's still a total dick move

SRB says she won't enforce the law against chairs in parking places.

Murders 12-18

.. in the Ink

Giant Snowballs Dpt.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor a plea bargain and resignation will keep Sheila Dixon's security detail off the payroll!

County officer struck by car

County officer hit by suspect's car, fires a shot.

PoPo: No Thoreau to Go

Donny Moses: after the initial "shock" of snowflakes, Baltimore's criminals quickly resume business as usual

BPD IDs officers who shot a man Feb 4.

"The Court of Special Appeals on Monday considered a challenge to the admissibility of ballistics evidence by a Columbia teenager convicted of murder, whose lawyer argued that a widely used analysis lacks scientific rigor.
'The methodology used by the state’s examiners is unvalidated and without scientific backing,' said Brian A. Zemil, a partner at Venable"

News of the weird: 2 Salsibury students and a Fruitlander charged with stealing a 400-pound statue of Thoreau for scrap metal.

It's official

Jack Young is the next city council president.

Contraband

Two Baltimore County corrections officers have been fired for bringing cell phones to work. Along with phones, a nice selection of bootleg DVDs were found on several COs.

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Snow be damned, another murder-- a man shot at 1226 W Bentalou

Wack Wine Laws

All that stands between MDers and Wine.com= Joan Carter Conway, wife of a liquor board member. So douchy!
Q: does the law mean MD wineries can't ship to other states also?

Don't wait for a snowplow

If you live on a side street, the city says you're sol.

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A man stabbed to death allegedly by his daughter's new daddy in a yard in the 4000 block of Massachusetts Ave.

and an hour ago BPD tweeted "1226 N BENTALOU ST, MALE SHOT

Snow shut down

If you're in need of public transportation, might want to stick to the subway.

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30-year-old man shot to death in an Escalade, police report as Loyola Northway, Sun sez Loyola Southway

More on the shot officer, the dead man and his accomplice

Jack Young, the probable new city council president, talks public safety

ps., you can follow the new mayor on Twitter!

Dixon gets scolded

Another Dixon strange courtroom encounter just minutes before the judge chews her out.

Officers down

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Tweets the BPD: "DOUBLE-SHOOTING-OFFICER SHOT-3722 OAKMONT AVE-OFFICER SHOT IN THE ARM-TAKEN TO SHOCK TRAUMA-TWO SUSPECTS SHOT."

NAACP Win in "DWB" Records Lawsuit

The Office of MD's Attorney General must turn over arrest records to the NAACP, says County Circuit Court.
INteresting!
What format will these records be in? To whom will they be given? What will that person or entity do with them?

First-Person Shooter

If you shoot someone trespassing on your property, should the trespasser have the right to sue you?

6?

City ciouncilwoman calls for investigative hearing on the DPW sex offender cover-up that could now include up to six employees.

Methadone, hon!

Hampden to get new methadone clinic.

Meet

Deputy Mayor Andrew B Frank

The difference is in the pistol whip

Self-defense double standard between 20-somethings Dominic Anderson, Abdullah Omar and John Pontolillo?

Ex-county cop robs 7 banks

When county police officer Joseph Goetz car-jacked a UPS driver in the 90s, little did anyone know he was just getting warmed up,

Behold

Chasity "Doodlebug" Morales, wanted for robbing the Pikesville Pizza Hut.

No good deed...

A teenager opened fire in a Sheraton ballroom and shot a man in the face. Two guys allegedly restrained the shooter in a "sleeper hold" and pistol-whipped him. Now the restrainers have been indicted.

More on the sad case of April Montford: sisters say mom didn't want their help.
Video from WBAL

Judges' goof gets double-murder case thrown out

Sentencing delayed for teen found to have participated in the beating of septuagenarian fisherman

Venerable haberdasher Jos. A Bank to pay $4 million for misrepresenting inventory levels to shareholders

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A man murdered Monday was ID'd as John England, 27. Reports the Sun, "England was sentenced to five years in federal prison in 2006 for firearm possession." But apparently that sentence didn't take.
Minor irony dept: England, subject of a paternity suit while imprisoned in Cumberland, was killed in front of the Center for Urban Families.

No Jail for Disipicable Daughters

From the SAO:

At a hearing today Judge David Ross sentenced Sharon Jones, 26, of the 400 block of W. Franklin Avenue and Tia Sewell, 27, of the 5100 block of Darien Road to a suspended ten year prison term and five years probation. Jones and Sewell pled guilty to first-degree vulnerable adult abuse November 16, 2009.
The court heard nearly three hours of testimony from members of the victim’s family who were called as defense witnesses and offered supportive testimony for Jones and Sewell. The court-ordered a pre-sentence investigation recommended suspended sentences for both defendants. The state argued that the heinous nature of the crime and the willful neglect of the victim warranted incarceration and the state asked for six years in prison.

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

The Sun reported that Montford was also infested with maggots and lice.

Police Need Help

ID'ing a decomposed body found in White Marsh

New trial for Tyrone Jones, convicted in a 1998 murder

The Sun's eds say MD's Rx pot policy should be clearer (love the Google ads)

Anybody go see Dr. John Rich at the Walters yesterday? Thoughts? Here's a review of the book

City makeover

Chris Taylor, the Union Square actvist arrested for interefering with an investigation wants to replace the current city council. Meanwhile the city law department is trying to figure how the city should handle future sex offenders who want to get paid while in jail.

BPD to Drop Unlawful Gag Order

In a stunning reversal, BPD brass decides it will comply with federal transparency laws and release the names of officers who have shot citizens.
Wonder what brought that about?

S.A. Dix, Rollergirl

Will Steal-a Man Dixon appear rinkside tonight at the Charm City Rollergirls' home opener? Says the Girls' page,

The home season opener is a celebration as the Office of Mayor Shelia Dixon and the City of Baltimore will declare this Saturday [Jan 30] Charm City Roller Girls Day in Baltimore! Join us for the awarding of the official proclamation at DuBurns Arena this Saturday starting at 6:00pm.

UPDATE: the bouts were canceled due to snow

How the mighty have fallen...

Notorious Baltimore movie star/rapper/gang leader, Rodney "Skinny Suge" Thomas is convicted in federal court on racketeering and drug charges.
Suge is notorious for producing and starring in the notorious "Stop Snitching" movies that made national headlines in 2005. Suge is facing up to 20 years in prison when sentenced.

Brotha Workitout pleaded guilty to using fraudulent identification documents.

Justified

Jessamy rules a JHU student who killed a thief was "justified"

Speaking of Scary Stalkers

... the victim's family reports that George Thompson, 37, convicted of attempting to hire someone to murder his wife less than two years ago will be out of jail next month after serving little more than a year. Says the victim's cousin,

BEWARE!!! This FELON will be back on the streets at the end of February. Most likely will attempt to do work in a trade, i.e. plumbing, electric, carpentry. He is NOT licensed!!! Do NOT let him in your home, he is a danger!!!!!!!! please repost and keep your friends and loved ones safe!

Stabby stalker shot by cops

.. outside of Union Memorial hospital. The "victim" was wanted on an attempted murder warrant after a stabbing in January outside the Royal Farms store on 36th St. in Hampden.

Murders 7 through 10 in the Ink.

A good question: if O'Malley is against the death penalty, why doesn't he commute the sentences of the five inmates on death row?

Onward & Upward with the Arts
Closing arguments in the federal case against reality star Ronnie "AIDS in Your Mouth" Thomas.

Aiiiee!! the CP's Van Smith pays a visit to the Apex.

Hermann links to Peter Barry's gallery of Baltimore memorial graffiti

Baltimore County prison crackdown

Contraband found on CO's at the Baltimore County detention center during a shift-wide search on Tuesday.

The city's Inspector General joins investigation into the sex offender who stayed on city payroll while serving time for sexually abusing a minor

New journalism takes a hit

Acorn videographers busted breaking into Senator's office Watergate style