Creepin and peepin

"Md. bill would outlaw keeping a corpse in freezer"

Aieee! County police are ISO a man who's been breaking into women's homes to watch them sleep at night. Wonder if there's any relation to this peeper from last August? Or if he's friends with this guy? Or swaps notes with Clinton Gardner or Brian Eui Hong?

The slow, slow wheels of justice...

Trial began for "Skinny Suge" and a co-defendant in federal court today. It's been two years since "Suge" was indicted, and three years since he immortalized the chestnut, "I hope you [snitches] catch AIDS in your mouth and your lips the first thing that die."

Two murderers

From the SAO, links added:

At a hearing today before his scheduled trial was to begin, Quadir Butcher, 20, of the 2200 block of E. Mount Holly Street pled guilty to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Judge Sylvester Cox sentenced Butcher to life in prison suspend all but 40 years for the murder count and a concurrent 20 years in prison, first five years without the possibility of parole for the handgun count and five years probation.

On June 2, 2008, witness(es) identified Quadir Butcher as the person responsible for a double shooting in the 3100 block of Clifton Avenue. The two victims were on the porch of their residence at approximately 8:30PM that day when Butcher approached them, produced a handgun and shot the first victim, Derrell Smith in the neck. The other victim was shot in the abdomen and leg and survived. Derrell Smith died later at University of Maryland Shock Trauma.

...so, mathletes, how many years will Mr. Butcher actually serve? Also ....

A Baltimore jury convicted Demetrius Smith, 26, of the 400 block of Parrish Street, yesterday of first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The trial lasted one week and jurors deliberated approximately two-and-a-half hours before reaching its verdict.

Judge Timothy J. Doory scheduled sentencing for February 22, 2010 at which time Smith faces a maximum possible prison term of life plus 20 years.

On March 24, 2008 at approximately 8:50 a.m. officers responded to the 400 block of Stricker Street were they found the victim, Robert Long, lying on the ground shot twice in the head. The victim died from his injuries and an autopsy determined that the cause of death was homicide. Witnesses were located who identified the Smith as the person who shot and killed Long. Additionally, witnesses were able to provide information regarding the motive of the murder; Smith was a drug dealer and Long found Smith’s heroine {sic} stash while rehabbing an abandoned house on Parrish Street. Long took the drugs and shortly thereafter Smith located him and walked him out to a secluded area in a local park and killed him.

On July 12, 2008 Smith posted $350,000 bail following a bail review hearing in which the State argued that Smith should be held without bail. On August 27, 2008 Smith allegedly shot a victim in the leg during a street robbery in the 400 block of S. Parrish Street. The victim survived and Smith’s attempted murder trial is also scheduled to begin February 22, 2010.

And don't miss this week's CP cover feature: "Rising Tide: Baltimore's 2009 homicide toll goes against national trends by going up"

9

Raymond Gibson, 21, shot to death at 2:45 in the afternoon on N. Caroline Street (reported as the 1400 block by police and the 1700 block by the Sun.)

A city police officer has been found guilty by a trial board of misconduct with a prostitute. Allegedly her transported her from the city to county, then took her to a motel.

The city that (almost) never works

Peter Herman tells the story of the first vicitim of the Guilford attacker who was mugged at knifepoint by the same teen recently arrested for a brazen adbuction. Even though she was willing to testify againt her attacker, prosecutors took a plea deal!

Meanwhile, a DPW employee says when she informed her superiors that a city worker was on the sex offender registry and shouldn't be working in the field, she was told to shut up or face the consequences.

The county 14-year-old wanted for shooting a 13-year-old has turned himself in.

Attorneys to collect $3 million for prosecuting Tyson class-action suit

Media Blabber

Like tales of newsroom drama? You'll ♥ "Post Apocalypse: Inside the messy collapse of a great newspaper"

Also see: "Can newspaper muckraking carry on in nonprofits?"

How to get paid while doing time for sex offense part III

It helps to have friends in high places

7

View Larger MapUnidentified man stabbed to death at West Franklin and Paca Streets, Fenton has a picture of the scene

Four senior ladies home-invaded for their prescription meds in Edgewood

On MLK day, mayhem on MLK Blvd

6

View Larger Map
Unidentified Man, 2304 W. North Ave., shot at about 5:30 a.m.

How can shootings be down but murders up? "Percentage of victims being shot in the head at close range on the rise"

Mary Pat Clarke: Guilford and Oakenshawe will "track every stage of this perennial assailant [John Couplin]’s processing through a system which has failed us once."
.. Once?!

"Gay man is victimized twice, by killer and state"

It's like my iPod stuck on replay...

Geez, how many times have we heard this story before?
Alleged Guilford abductor John Couplin has been arrested guess how many times in the past 5 years? Oh go on, guess. Hint: cutting deals with the state had him out over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over again. And two more times besides. Of his most recent case, the SA's office says "the only evidence in the 2008 robbery was the victim's identification from a photo array." How much more would you need or expect to have from an armed street robbery? Haven't people been given the death penalty with as much?

Does prison pay?

Not only was cop impersonating sex offender Dennis McLaughlin let out of jail barely halfway through his sentence for molesting a minor, but the city is now investigating if he was still on the city payroll while in jail.

A Week in Charles Village

Thanks, Buz! Stolen "herbs," a brick thrown at a driver, a female mugger .. and as always lots of car windows broken for GPS systems.

Robbery (Unarmed) – 200 blk. E. 28th Street 1/6/10 10:55 pm
Property Taken: Bag, ID, Personal Papers, iPod, Travel Book, and Various Herbs
Two suspects approached the victim and knocked her to the ground. Suspect # 1 then wrestled with the victim taking her bag containing the above listed property. The suspects then fled S/B on Guilford Ave.

Robbery (Unarmed) – 2400 blk. N. Charles Street 1/9/10 4:00 pm
Property Taken: $80
The suspect approached the victim demanding his wallet. The victim stated that he did not have a wallet. The suspect then stated that she had a weapon, the victim handed the suspect his money. The victim attempted to keep the money from the suspect. The suspect then struck the victim multiple times and fled with the property.

Burglary (Residential) - 3200 blk. Abell Ave. 1/30/10 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Property Taken: Laptop, PS2, Games, Projector, and 40 DVD’s
An unknown broke the front door glass at the location to gain entry. The suspect fled the location with the above listed property through the same entry point.

Burglary (Residential) – 3100 blk. N. Calvert Street 12/27/09 11:37 pm
Property Taken/Recovered: Jewelry Box, Jewelry
An unknown suspect entered through a rear bathroom window. Upon entry the suspect removed the above listed property. The victim was home during the time of this incident and was able to flee the location and notify the police. The suspect fled the location however was located and arrested by the responding officer. The property was recovered.

Burglary (Residential) – 200 blk. E 30TH Street 1/8/10 6:30 pm – 1:30 pm (next day)
Property Taken: Laptop, DVD Player, TV, AND Camera
An unknown suspect entered through an unlocked rear window. The suspect then removed the above listed property and fled through the same POE.

Burglary (Commercial) – 2400 blk. N. Charles Street 1/6/10 6:50 am
Property Taken: 25” Security System Monitor
An unknown suspect broke a glass pane to enter the rear door, reached in and unlocked the door and entered. Upon entry the suspect removed the above listed property and fled the location.

Aggravated Assault – 2600 blk. Barclay Street 1/6/2010 4:10 pm
The victim was driving at the location when an unknown suspect threw a brick at the driver side window causing same to shatter. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Burglary (Residential) – 3300 blk. Guilford Ave. 1/4/10 7:45 am – 6:00 pm
Property Taken: Dell Laptop, LCD HD TV An unknown suspect broke a window and entered. Once inside, the suspect removed the above property and fled through the rear door. No witnesses.

Burglary (Residential) – 2900 blk. Calvert Street 1/6/10 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Property Taken: XBOX Adapter, XBOX Games, IPod, Bracelet and Coin Currency
An unknown suspect broke the rear 3rd Floor window to gain entry. Upon entry the suspect removed the above listed property and fled with same through same POE.

Burglary (Residential) – 3000 blk. Greenmount Ave. 1/7/10 11:20 am
No Property Taken
An unknown suspect forced the rear door of the vacant dwelling to gain entry. An unknown caller advised 911. Upon police response the suspect was located inside of the dwelling and was placed under arrest.

Burglary (Commercial) – 2400 blk. Saint Paul Street 1/5/10 1:20 am – 2:20 am
Property Taken: Unknown
An unknown suspect kicked in the door of the business and made entry. The suspect fled the location with an unknown amount of property. No witnesses.

Larceny from Auto – 2600 blk. Saint Paul Street 1/5/10 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Property Taken: Tom Tom GPS
The suspect broke the front window and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 2100 blk. N. Charles St. 1/5/09 8:00 pm- 10:15 am (next day)
Property Taken: GPS System
An unknown suspect broke the rear window to the victims 2007 Chevy Malibu and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 2300 blk. N. Calvert St. 1/3/10 3:00 pm – 2:10 pm (next day)
Property Taken: GPS Mount
The suspect broke the passenger side window to the victims 2006 Chevy Aveo and removed the above listed property. No witnesses

Larceny from Auto – 2500 blk. Guilford Ave. 1/6/10 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Property Taken: Garmin GPS System
The suspect broke the window to the victims 1999 Nissan Maxima and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 100 blk. E. 30TH Street 1/5/10 10:00 pm – 12:30 pm (next day)
Property Taken: Tom Tom GPS
The suspect broke the passenger side window to the victims 2005 Jeep Liberty and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 2700 blk. Maryland Ave. 12/28/09 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Property Taken: Monkey Wrench, Screw Driver
An unknown suspect pushed an open window to the victims 1986 Mazda Truck, MD Tag 1427L2 and removed the listed property.

Campus Safety and Security

Weekly Campus Crime Report
January 4, 2010 – January 11, 2010

On Campus

ARREST – Robbery – Outside the Rear of Shaffer Hall – On Jan. 6th at 9:00 PM, a non-affiliated heavily intoxicated male holding his hands in his pocket as if armed approached a sophomore undergraduate, made threatening remarks and demanded money. The student handed over $13 cash and notified Campus Security as the suspect fled on foot. The student was not injured. Campus officers located the suspect in a basement stairwell off the 3200 Blk. of Hargrove St. where Baltimore Police arrested him on being positively identified by the victim. The victim’s cash was recovered from the suspect. The arrested person, a 19-year old non-affiliate, was charged with armed robbery and assault on a campus police officer.

Theft – NEB 218-B – Between Nov. 1st at 8:00 AM and Jan. 7th at 2:30 PM, an LED video projector was taken from its mounting bracket inside an unlocked conference room. Investigation continuing.

Theft – Bloomberg (Café) –Between Dec. 15th at 2:30 PM and Jan. 5th at 8:30 AM, a Café employee reported that 10 cups and 10 bags of potato chips were missing and sugar was spilled on the counter. After further investigation it was found that the lock on the cabinet was insufficient. The employee was advised to replace the lock with a more efficient lock.

Off Campus

Unarmed Robbery (of Non-Affiliate) – 2800 Blk. N. Calvert St. (east side) – On Jan. 6th at 10:55 PM, two unknown males, 20 – 25 years old, approached a non-affiliate from the rear, pushed her to the ground and forcibly took her handbag. The suspects ran south on Calvert St. to 28th St. and then ran south on Guilford Ave. The victim declined medical attention for a minor hand laceration. Baltimore Police and campus officers searched the area with negative results. Investigation continuing. See Security Bulletin WI-2 at www.jhu.edu/~security.

Thefts from Autos:

• 2800 Blk. Cresmont Ave. -- Between Jan. 8th at 9:00 PM and Jan. 9th at 10:30 AM, a GPS device was taken from the center console of a senior undergraduate’s parked vehicle. Entry had been gained by breaking the front passenger side window. Baltimore Police responded. Investigation continuing.

• 100 Blk. W. University Parkway (south side) – Between Jan. 8th at 10:30 PM and Jan. 9th at 10:00 AM, a radar detector was taken from the top of the dashboard of a non-affiliate’s parked pick-up truck. Entry had been gained by breaking the passenger side window. Baltimore Police responded. Investigation continuing.

Guilford Abduction details

.. from Hermann. You are all no doubt (too jaded to be) shocked that the 19-year-old arrested for the crime, John Couplin, "was convicted of robbing a Guilford woman at knifepoint in 2008, but took a plea deal, receiving 10 years in prison with all but about a year and a month [suspended]. Or in [other words], time served."

Another abduction story

Fells point resident tells his story of being abducted outside a liqour store at 6pm and later locked in the trunk of his car.

What the?! Sex offender poses as city cop, fondles woman.
Icing on the cake: said sex offender was/is an employee of the Department of Public Works!

Guilford residents freak following abduction

A man shot in the head in Edgewood

Whose rights?

"A Baltimore police officer has been suspended from the force after his arrest on charges that he raped his wife at gunpoint"

County police are still ISO 14-year-old Tymaine D’Aren Sellman, wanted for shooting a 13-year-old in Woodlawn New Year's Eve. (How far can he get without a license or credit cards .. or the help of close relations?)

And the case of "little Gerard" opened with testimony from the "jailbird" and his arresting officers

"Tens of thousands of Maryland debt-collection lawsuits will be dismissed because the massive collections firm that brought them appears to be collapsing."

Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr. of the county's district 10 issponsoring legislation that would prohibit Maryland from recognizing gay marriages validated by other states or countries.

Crisis in Guilford

Emergency community meeting in Guilford over a string of brazen robberies, including the abduction of man outside his home. Police have released a picture of one of the suspects

Links to terrorism

After DNA ID'd a suspect, a woman in disguise testified against one of her alleged assailants

More on the teenager shot in the face at Frederick Douglass High

An "associate" testified against "JR" and "Turkey", charged in the murder of Sintia Mesa

The Ink has details on last week's murders.

Baltimorean murder suspect arrested in Saskatoon

$4.3 mil of Internet gambling proceeds seized by federales

Good readin': A. Robert Kaufmann's letters to the CP

Buy Tyson chicken? You may be able to get as much as $50 back on account of their lyin-ass "no antibiotics" ads-- if you're still walking, that is-- Consumer Reports found Tyson to be one of two "most contaminated" brands, with 80 percent of store-bought chickens testing positive for campylobacter and salmonella.

Guilty plea in Dollar Store murder

From the SAO:

Alice Michele Collins, 38, of the 6600 block of Eberle Drive pled guilty yesterday to first-degree murder before her scheduled trial was to begin. Judge Sylvester Cox sentenced Collins to life in prison, suspend all but 40 years.

On July 21, 2008 at the Family Dollar store located at 1231 W. Pratt Street, co-workers discovered the body of Elizabeth Queensbury, 51, assistant manager of the store. Queensbury had sustained multiple stab wounds and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded that she sustained 37 sharp force injuries. Detectives observed the safe open, video surveillance missing and the alarm system disarmed prior to the victim’s arrival. A Representative from the Family Dollar indicated that deposits had not been made in several days and that more than $14,000 was missing. Collins was the store manager; her code was used at 6:29AM to gain access to the store and witnesses observed her leaving the store via the rear door at 7:45AM carrying a white bag.

Detectives questioned Collins that day, and they observed blood on her hands and socks. DNA testing subsequently determined that Queensbury’s blood was present on the defendant. Pending further investigation Collins was released and she fled to South Carolina where she was arrested. The defendant eventually did admit to the murder and the theft.

Before sentencing Collins, Judge Cox heard several victim impact statements read by two of Queensbury’s sisters. Approximately 20 members of Queensbury’s family were present.

Arm twisting, and breaking

The council weighs in on the recent arrest of Lenny Clay and Chris Taylor, asking the BPD to explain how they deal with violent interactions with citizens.

Shooty Tuesday

A 19-year-old was shot near Frederick Douglass High, reports say at a football game, then he ran to Mondawmin mall trailing blood

A shooting led to a standoff and the lockdown of Gilmor Elementary School in West Baltimore this afternoon

Remember this one? Jury selection is underway in the case of Gerard Mungo Jr. vs the city officers who arrested him for leaning on a dirt bike when he was seven.

Fun facts! DC's hair-ron comes from Baltimore, and Baltimore's comes from Afghanistan.

Game day scam

Ever paid a guy for parking who didn't work at the lot? Seems like a tow company got busted fleecing Ravens fans by taking the scam to a whole different level, now fraud charges are in the offing.

3 and 4

the peaceful streak ended with two murders yesterday: a man found shot in a vehicle in the 900 block of North Glover Street, and Derrick Taylor, shot in the back at 3912 Eierman Avenue.

TDR: "Brian Keith Rose, the man accused of killing Warren T. Fleming in an attempted carjacking at the Security Square Mall in 2006, and whose case made national news when partial fingerprint evidence in the case was thrown out by a Baltimore County judge, will plead guilty this afternoon in U.S. District Court."

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has removed a Laurel priest following abuse allegations

Pew Research Center studied the Baltimore news "ecosystem"-- among the nonshocking findings, most stories originate from the Sun, and the Sun is covering considerably fewer stories than it did a year ago.

JZ reports on the SpotCrime iPhone app

A shooting that wasn't

Homicide investigators have now charged a man in connection with a seven round shooting spree that was first ruled a discharge.

Wrong place, wrong time

Sunday, January 31 at 2 p.m., the Walters is hosting a free discussion, "Wrong Place, Wrong Time: Trauma and Violence in the Lives of Young Black Men"

Dixon: Lipscomb is "a player"

Dixon on Lipscomb: "He had multiple girlfriends ... He was a player. And I was the cheapest of his friends."
Ew!
Hope he used a condom!

Hermann interviews a couple of genius New-Year's gun-dischargers

Sex offender arrested for killing Vernon Evans' son Nolan

Teen stabbed

Teen stabbed 4 times in the leg at the Howard St. McDonald's

What the?!

"A Baltimore judge refused Thursday to set a man free before his Jan. 26 attempted-murder trial ... after it was revealed that an officer altered a photo of the defendant to get positive witness identification."

TDR: The city's not giving up the Wells Fargo "reverse redlining" lawsuit and is instead amending to file it a third time.

The first tort of 2010: a City College junior suing to get out of County lockup after being charged with armed robbery.

'All the Best'

To Sheila from Keiffer.
Very mature of him!

Wells Fargo Lawsuit 86'd

Judge says racist mortgage lenders not to blame for Baltimore's "extensive unemployment, lack of educational opportunity and choice, irresponsible parenting, disrespect for the law, widespread drug use, and violence."

#2

View Larger Map
Unidentified man, 21, shot in the torso in the 100 block of North Franklintown Road.
Two murders in a week? That's really relatively peaceful!

'a bizarre ending to an historic day of drama'

Maybe Dixon had to go, though she was defiant to the end.

Chauncey Jones

Ok, ok, who is to blame for Chauncey Jones being out on the streets? His parole agent? The State's Attorney's Office? Judge Yvonne Holt-Stone?

Dixon Dept.

"Tearful Baltimore mayor resigning under plea deal"

The Daily Record's everything Dixon page

Sun coverage
(Rodricks: "Google "Dixon, Sheila" and "sorry," and you won't come up with much.")

Meanwhile mayor-to-be SRB is scheduled to attend tonight's Roland Park Civic League Meeting re. firehouse closings.

more details on the Dixon deal

more details on the Dixon deal

Dixon to Step Down

as part of plea deal, sources say

Dixon to Plea?

Follow the #Dixontrial hash tag!

Jayne and David Collins and JZ's Mike Hellegren are "live" down by the courthouse, where a court order is keeping media away from the courthouse entrance.

hoy en ley

A 17-year-old shot near Penn Station

Police are ISO a 14-year-old who allegedly shot a 13-year-old in Woodlawn.

.. and a registered sex offender accused of molesting an 8-year-old at a city church. Barf

TDR has a roundup of law blogs (scroll down)

Big, BIG Dixon News?!

Fenton Tweets: "So, I'm not covering the Dixon case, but all indications right now that there will be big, big news at 1:30"

Fox tweets, "Negotiations are underway for a plea deal in Mayor Shelia Dixon's case"

Dixon and five jurors were due in court today

Dixon Speaks!

Not to the public, exactly.. instead she rang up Annie Linskey for a little girl talk, moaning, "The bad choice I made was getting in a relationship with Ron Lipscomb"
Way to pass the buck!
Maybe the judge will sentence her to six weeks of Tough Love bootcamp.
She went on to gripe about her perceived media mis-portrayals: "That I'm a corrupt human being, because I'm not ... That I use my office for my personal gain, and I don't. That I'm a person that used these positions for myself, and I don't."
Then do us all a favor, take the fall and step down!
She has a point though-- developers surely gained more out of her being in office than she ever did.
Think they'll cover her legal bills in gratitude?

Officer in trouble

City officer under investigation for telling family of a murder victim that he was locked up, instead of taking a missing persons report

DOJ responds to Clay inquiry

The department of justice weighs in on the death of Robert Clay

Will Facebook set the "Mayor" "free"?
You can't ban somebody from Facebook!
What if there's a lost calf that needs a home?
What if you're in the middle of cooking a virtual chicken?
WHAT THEN?!?!

Okay, this is Baltimore's first homcide of 2o10

The Baltimore Sun year-end wrap up.

A review of the 238 homicides, as well as interesting crime statistics.

Correction

A woman found shot in the face in 4100 block of Roland Avenue is a suicide.