October 23

Plaintiff attorneys in Hopson v. City of Baltimore: Police are still shredding documents!

Brandy Britton (aka "Professor Whore" to one of our blunter readers) granted an "exclusive" interview to the Examiner's Luke Broadwater. Though he didn't make it into her bedroom or talk to her mom like Darragh Johnson did in May!

On June 20, 2006, a Baltimore City jury convicted Joseph Omar Smith, 24, of the 2400 block of Lakeview Avenue of the second-degree murder of Lawrence Johnson, attempted second-degree murder and assault of Ryan McCutcheon, attempted second-degree murder of Jeremy Drake, conspiracy to murder McCutcheon and Drake, three counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and illegal possession of a regulated firearm. The same jury convicted Cyrus Lee Beads, 20, Beads of the attempted second-degree murder of McCutcheon, attempted second-degree murder of Drake, conspiracy to murder McCutcheon and Drake, two counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and illegal possession of a regulated firearm. Our story...

On June 7, 2005 police responded to 3832 Roland View Avenue and found three males suffering from gunshot wounds inside the location. Investigation revealed that the victims had been on the front porch when individuals suddenly opened fire from across the street. Multiple 9mm casings were recovered from the scene and were matched to a Glock 9mm handgun recovered from Cyrus Beads on June 13, 2005 when he was arrested in the 2600 block of Keyworth. Eyewitnesses encountered the defendants immediately after the shots were fired rushing into an apartment. Both had guns and both used the bathroom to wash up and change clothes.

Today, the state recommended Life plus for each defendant and explaining their criminal histories, both defense attorneys spoke on behalf of their clients.

Said a witness in the courtoom, "Smith's attorney said his client had an awful upbringing. He had no father, his mom was a drug addict and he had no direction in his life. He said we are all at fault. The problem is much bigger. We can't just lock up and forget...the bigger problem. The attorney explained that we are all guilty of what happened to Omar Smith. He said Smith maintains his innocence and expresses no remorse because of this. He asked for a sentence of 30 years.

Hedgepeth apologized to judge and his client saying he instructed his client to not look at the jury, indicating that somehow the jury noted this in their decision. Hedgepeth explained that at the age of two months, Beads was sent to Las Vegas to live with an aunt because his mother was also a drug addict. Their til the age of eleven he lived a middle -class life. He was a good student and had never been in any trouble. His mother then wanted him back. He returned to Baltimore at the most vulnerable time in his life ... especially a young black man's life. Hedgepeth said Beads came from a "Cosby" type setting to the streets of Baltimore. The schools were different....everything was different.

Judge Schwait said, 'Our city is in enormous trouble.' He referred to both defendants as young attractive men. He said in the last 18 months he has presided over 53 murder cases. He sees his role as kind of 'triage.' Having violent, non-violent and drug cases. It cost $5,000 to treat a drug addict but cost $25,000 to incarcerate. He said society needs to change a lot of things and until we do 'my job is to protect the public, not a social worker. Sometimes I wish I were a social worker.' He then handed down his sentence."

Smith got life plus 150 years, Beads got life plus 103 years.

In the Northeastern, a man was shot in the head and throat, another in the leg.

Police used pepper spray to subdue unruly Owings Mills high school students.

Manuel Forastieri, 70, of Frederick, faces 62 felony sex-abuse and extortion counts.

Professor Griff is coming to the Yabba Pot .. and ladies get in free!