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.

February 3

The four bodies found in Cockeysville appear to be Towson real estate and corporate lawyer John Browning, his wife Tamara, and two of the couple's three sons. The third son, Nicholas Waggoner Browning, right, "found" the bodies when he arrived home at 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, and has been charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree murder.

The city's first murder of February occurred in the 1600 block of E. Federal St. yesterday morning at 10 a.m.

Police are looking for Ellis D. Johnson. Johnson and three minors (who are in custody) allegedly beat a cop who tried to bust up a deal at an apartment in the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Ave. on January 14. Officer William Olsen is recovering at home, and will need hip surgery.

"Every one of us knew that Mr. Alder was very likely to physically harm, even murder, any of us and our families at any time." Yep, you sure got that one right.

Michael Ryan Anderson was arrested this morning for the murder of Finksburg video store manager Gary L. Hatfield on January 26.

Chris Perkins -- who resigned as director of Maryland's juvenile detention facilities on December 13 after a City Paper investigation into past accusations of child abuse -- claims he has evidence to prove his innocence but never got the chance to present it in court.

More info on the misuse of bupe.

February 2

Fox reports that a man was shot to death in the 1600 block of Federal Street in East Baltimore this morning, soon after 10 a.m.

Four bodies, two teenage boys and a man and a woman, were found in a house in Cockeysville in the 10000 block of Powers Avenue.

Bealefeld: the officer who fired the shots that killed Edward Lamont Hunt has been suspended with pay.

Convictions, pleas and sentences for perps who distributed steroids, child porn and crack, enslaved a 14-year-old and committed social security fraud are all in a day's work for the U.S. Attorney's office.

Marc Steiner Canned!

It's true! Wow, didn't see that one coming!
("Personnel issues are always very difficult"... sounds like he ticked off the wrong person!)
More from the Sun.

The best January since before crack

Last month was the least homicidal January in Baltimore since 1978.

Now is not the time to sit back and bask in six months' worth of accomplishment," Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said in an interview yesterday. "Now is the time to push harder."

Annals of Law

NYker: Baltimorean Brian Nichols went on a murder spree in Georgia. But three years and $1.2 million+ later, the death-penalty case still hangs in limbo.

Three Life Sentences for Double-Murderer

Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Abdul Kareem Alvez-el, 23, of the 500 block of Richwood Road to three consecutive life sentences, followed by three consecutive 20- year sentences for his November 9, 2007 convictions of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence. This sentence is the maximum sentence allowed by law. Details from the SA's office: (edited)

On February 2, 2006 at 9:45 p.m. Ricky Medley, 19, Martrell Brown, 16, and Quinton White, 17 were at a Sunoco Gas Station in the 500 block of East Cold Spring Lane. While there, Medley and Brown got into a physical altercation with Raynard Bowles. Following the fight, all three got back into a car driven by Ricky Medley and attempted to drive away. Abdul Alvez-el produced a handgun and began firing at the moving vehicle, striking Medley in the torso and Brown in the head. Both victims died of their injuries. The vehicle continued to the 800 block E. Cold Spring Lane where Quinton White was able to reach the steering wheel from the back seat and crashed it into a wall to avoid hitting any other vehicles. Quinton White suffered a broken arm as a result of the accident.

Assistant State’s Attorney David Grzechowiak of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 4

I missed this one yesterday, but Sudhir Venkatesh and his gang of merry pranksters are back for episode four. The thugs pose a question to Freakonomics readers:

“I want them to tell us whether Marlo will kill Omar, or the other way around,” said Orlando, picking at his teeth, like a Southern gentleman on his front porch. “I want to see how smart they are.”

“Yeah,” Flavor pushed on. “And I want them to say exactly how it’s going to go down. Because you know what this whole thing is leading up to … Good versus Evil — if you can tell the difference around here.”

February 1

Darrell Holmes was the boy who was killed on Penrose Ave. on Wednesday, and his 12-year-old cousin has been charged with manslaughter.

Edward Lamont Hunt, killed by a police officer Jan. 24, was unarmed, and a witness says he was shot in the back while he was walking away.

The MTA9 is now the MTA6, and lawyers for the remaining six defendants want to exclude everything but the kitchen sink from the kids' trial.

"To Baltimore City bailiffs, Olufemi Obua is an impatient, rude courthouse visitor who assaulted a security officer after refusing to follow orders. To Obua’s family, he’s the victim of a 'brutal beating' at the hands of courthouse security officers."

Baltimorean Charles Christopher Furth, 46, pleaded guilty today to distributing child pornography by computer.
WTF?!: "Furth stated that he has about 5,000 still images of child pornography and six movies of minors from ages one years old and up."

Yeah. Like that's the only house in Hampden with machine guns and grenades.

Usually check cashing joints steal money from the people, but not this time.

Recovery houses should be safe and secure. Too bad they didn't figure that out before the Remington shootings of 2005.

Tyrone Powers wants us to snitch. Not just on dealers and murderers, but also on politicians, cops, and preachers.

Officials say the Violence Prevention Unit for ex-cons is already working.

Farther Afield
Three people robbed a Cockeysville McDonald's on Tuesday night, and one of them has been arrested.

A HoCo Circuit Court judge rejected a plea deal for Eduardo Raul Morales-Soriano, a drunk driver who was to be sentenced for killing two people.

A security camera in Takoma Park caught an attempted abduction.

Stolen gas and shoes in Hagerstown.

In AAC, Mama chased down a perv.

Victim Impact Statement from Bryant Curtis Jones' widow

Prosecutors read an impact statement on behalf of Bryant Curtis Jones' wife at the hearing for Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake, the two teenagers who killed Jones when he asked them to leave his daughter's sweet-16 party in 2006.

My name is Alisa Deneen Torbit-Jones. I am the widow of the late Bryant Curtis Jones.

While trying to keep the peace and safety of his family, Bryant was fatally shot on April 14th, 2006 at our daughter Tamirra's sixteenth birthday party by Jamal Charles. Jamal Charles was encouraged to shoot my husband by his friend, Dwayne Drake. They both were asked to leave our home because they were being disruptive. Before they left, they insisted on their refund of $1.00 for their entrance into the party for Tamirra. Although their entrance fee was refunded, they still were not satisfied, became extremely combative verbally, and the end result was my husband being shot three times, once in the head. My family and I were with my husband when he died from these gunshot wounds at Shock Trauma.

I am angry, mad, and most of all enraged. I have lost my friend, and it hurts. Some days are better than others, and I am trying to overcome the hate that has consumed me. Bryant and I had a bond that no one could break. We have known each other since we were fifteen years old, and had been married for four years. I never imagined that I would have to see my loved one die so tragically and violently. I feel like I am in a dream, as well as a nightmare. It doesn't feel real, doesn't sound real, but everyday that I don't see him; I know that it is real.

When you killed my husband, you never thought about how I or the children would survive. Bryant was a major contributor and he provided so we wouldn't have to sacrifice. Now that he is gone, it is very hard to make ends meet.

Bryant always liked to help people. He was a family oriented individual, and an excellent electrician. He was a good man, a beloved son, a devoted father to his children, and a trustworthy friend. He has a grand-daughter that will never know his love, see his smile, or hear his voice.

I am not the only one who mourns for Bryant. His senseless murder left six children without a father - Derrick, Tamirra, Kourtney, Bryant, Darryl and Danielle. His grief stricken father Charles, who eight months later would lose his wife Linda, Bryant's mother who said her heart was broken because she had lost her oldest baby. A dedicated brother Charles (when you saw one, you always saw the other). Two sisters Evette and Danyell (Evette passed away 3 months after their mother's death). My husband had one grandmother, loving godparents, many in-laws and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. As long as we live we will never forget Bryant Curtis Jones nor will we ever forget Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake who took him from us so violently and sudden.

We will always love and miss Bryant.

I feel that Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake should be severely punished for taking Bryant's life. They should do the full time given to them. Bryant's life was worth more than a $1.00. Jamal Charles and Dwayne Drake should at least serve the age my husband was at the time of his senseless murder. Bryant was 42 years old. Nothing less with possibility of parole.

Conviction for Murder of 16-Year-Old Marcus McDowell

A Baltimore City jury convicted Rasul M. Brown, 23, of the 800 block of Gilrubin Court today of second-degree murder, two counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of wear/carry/transport a handgun and first degree assault. The jury reached its verdict after deliberating for two hours today following four days of testimony. Judge John A. Howard scheduled sentencing for April 3, 2008 at which time Brown could face a maximum possible prison term of 98 years. Details:

On January 8, 2007 at approximately 8:00 p.m. police responded to the 5100 block of Harford Road for a shooting. Upon arrival, police discovered Marcus McDowell, 16, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and upper torso. McDowell is transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, where he is pronounced dead. Witnesses testified at trial that Brown shot McDowell after McDowell rushed to the scene to help a friend who was involved in an altercation with Brown.

Brown is being held at the Detention Center without bail.

Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Phelps of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.