Monday, July 21, 2008

WTF? K-Swift Drowned!

At the young age of 27, 92Q DJ K-Swift has drowned in her own pool, while throwing a party!
Apparently no one noticed the hostess was missing, and then when they found her no one performed CPR on her.
WTF?

... The Sun has more
The reporter who broke the Zach Sowers "sleeping baby" story covers the farmer's market protest.

BCPD arrested Edward Leon Medley for a 1980 rape.

Four years later, the courts have finally settled the case of Janet Jackson's tittyflash.

Monday Morning

A man was shot and killed at a liquor store off of safe and reliable North Avenue on Saturday night. More interestingly, this store was the target of shut-down efforts by the local Reservoir Hill Community. Hmm. Methinks this will call for a committee.

A stabbing during an attempted robbery at the Mt. Clare Dollar Store.

This was not a good weekend to be out after 7pm (sorry, Artscape fans), as someone else was found fatally shot in SoWeBo.

As evidence that some press can be bad press, dozens of people gathered to discuss the firing of Margaret Burns, spokesperson for the City State's Attorney's office. Burns, shockingly, could not be reached for comment. Notice a pattern, anyone? Adam Meister posted more information on this little conundrum here.

An inmate died at central booking on Friday evening, and the Powers that Be are investigating
.

It's going to be hot today, cats and kittens, so be sure to bring your bottled water!
Here's what you missed at the rally

The next gathering of aggrieved citizens will be at noon Thursday on the steps of the courthouse.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Weekend

#113: "An unidentified man was shot to death Friday night in Northwest Baltimore, according to city police ... found with a gunshot wound to the upper body about 11:20 p.m. in the 5000 block of Pembridge Ave. near Pimlico Race Course ..."

The most recent female strangling victim (#107) was ID'd. "Friends" and police "departmental reports" (?) claim Brenda Hatfield, 45, had been selling certain skills on the open market. Her family denies it, though, and Hatfield has no drug or prostitution charges on her record.

Matthew Haarhoff, who allegedly helped his mom set her "boyfriend"'s body on fire, is now trying to make a new start.

The NYT has a criminal-justice series running, "American Exception," examining "commonplace aspects of the American justice system that are virtually unique in the world."
The "Baltimore Exception" would be whole other series,
featuring
"Abated by arrest"
gag orders for retiring police officers,
and, of course, a lady Mayor who's going to get indicted!

Friday, July 18, 2008

For-Her Firearms

The News Hole just featured the press release of a .38 gun which is painted hot pink - perfect for that special lady of yours. It's an exquisite piece...

Friday Morning

The jury's still out on the case of Darnell Edmonds, accused of murdering Kenneth Morrell, who was accused of murdering Darnell's Brother Keyyon Makins. This is the second trial after Edmonds first ended in a mistrial.

In a fit of irony, Sherman Kemp - a purveyor of the 'Stop Snitching' culture - essentially snitched on himself when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and gun possession, among other charges.

The US Attorney's Office scored another win when
they clinktified Terrance Gray, who conspired to steal cocaine from a drug dealer. He was sentenced to 15 years. Go, Hot Rod!

Jean Marbella notes an extremely interesting legal theory raised by some penitentiary-bound Baltimoreans. Take that, Clarence Darrow!

Well, it turns out that the fifth woman who was strangled was also a prostitute.

As many of you probably know, The police have, in the past spied on groups they dubbed suspicious. But... as recently as 2006? The Sun investigates spying done by the State Police on peace and anti-death penalty groups.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Sirlilar Jewelle "Juelz," Stokes, 19, was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a 18-year-old Ashley Davis at Robert E. Lee yesterday.
"Prostitute Self Defense Class"

Taking it to the Streets

... like the Doobie Brothers!
We hear there's to be a rally against newspaper layoffs today at noon in front of the Sun building on Calvert Street.

There will also be an anti-Marty-Burns rally at the farmer's market on Sunday.

They don't call this city Mobtown for nothing!

The Story that Refuses to Die

A listener of "The Ron Smith Show" opines that racism twines its way through the Sowers case.
(Thanx Vic)

Speaking of twining racism, it's interesting how when Jessie Jackson drops two "n" bombs, the press won't print or repeat the quote.

Thursday Morning

Lamont E. Brown, Baltimore's newest alleged criminal mastermind, was charged for the series of attempted bank robberies from monday evening. One has to wonder what would have happened had that time been spent applying for jobs. Oh Dan Rodricks, where were you?

Sampson Asby of West Baltimore was arrested for the death of his girlfriend Patrice L. Marable (#111) on July 6th. With a record of more than two dozen cases dating back to 1998 one can't help but wonder how the police knew. And if you don't believe me, check for yourself here.

Antonio R. Jackson - who gave the gun to the person who ended up shooting and paralyzing William "Tippa" Thomas - apologized to William yesterday in court while being sentenced for the offense. In other news scientists are working feverishly to correlate apologies and recovery from paralysis.

A State Trooper was wounded during an altercation in which a man attempted to enter the Mondawmin MVA after hours. I know people who would get aggressive after being in there during regular hours. Also, anyone who is trying to deliberately enter that place is clearly not right.

A study by Johns Hopkins' School of Public Health has found correlations between the neighborhoods of Baltimore and the health of its inhabitants, saying that poorer and more violent neighborhoods are prone to health issues such as stroke, and heart attacks. In other news someone, somewhere just said, "Well, duh..."

Two more people suffered nonfatal shootings near Clifton Park last night, this time a 14 and 15 year old boy.

The State's Attorney's office dropped murder charges against Lewis K. Lucas yesterday, citing that they were unable to find their only witness. Fortunately he already is facing a hefty 20 year sentence... which is suspended... although he now is serving five years... D'oh!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Holy gunsmoke, Batman!

As reported by the good people at The Baltimore Sun, a man who attempted to burgle a Park Heights home was shot in the back and died. Margaret Burns of the State's Attorney's office did comment on this matter, indicating that they will wait for the police homicide investigation to conclude before deciding whether or not to pursue criminal charges.

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.