Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Year That Was

January of 2009 kicked off with Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld personally arresting two people and seizing the sawed-off shotguns they were shooting in the air, and the month went on with 22 murders, including five teenagers. Maryland kicked off DNA collection, wonder how long the backlog is? And did the lab ever fix the 15 "essential" procedural criteria that, in violation of state and federal laws, the BPD continues to conceal from the public?
and Holy Crap! The Mayor was Indicted!

February kicked off with the "gold medal winner of bong hits," and "A Baltimore man filed a $210 million civil lawsuit ... in connection with a 2006 incident during which he says a band of rogue cops held him at gunpoint in the street, stripped him and searched his rectum in front of about 30 onlookers."
Wonder what happened to that one?
And February marked the end of The Examiner, which would become the beginning of Investigative Voice.

March kicked off with a murder outside of Coconuts, we learned of a murderous girl gang known as the Bounty Hunters and heard tales of Bloods-affiliated prison guards, plus the story of "Kanibal Lecktor," who led the Bloods from his Cumberland prison cell.
And don't forget, who Rikki Spector weaseled out of a traffic ticket and claimed the officer whose order she ignored needed more training.

In April, dog owners foamed at the mouth at new $1,000 leash fines. Indictments revealed how the Black Guerilla family got cell phones and Grey Goose vodka in jail. And there were the very sad stories of Lemuel Wallace and the family murders at the Towson Sheraton.

May kicked off with Patrick Byers spared the death penalty for the murder of Carl Lackl, and continued with pedestrians attacked by packs of wilding teens, a trend that would go on to rage through the summer. And Helen Holton thanked the Almighty for getting her off the hook! HALLELUJAH!

In June there was a hextuple at Shirley's Honey Hole, Bealefeld keeled over during the police 10k, and the CP debuted the charming feature, "Guerilla Family Portraits." And we met scary Sirliar Stokes, who shot a dancer in the woods and then went back to the strip club. And in June the year's oldest murder victim, Ethel Henderson, was set on fire, allegedly by her drug-addicted grandson who was angry she wouldn't give him money.

July brought more street attacks. In NY, a baby shower for the wife of Jamie Hector, the actor who played Marlo Stanfield in The Wire, ended in a gunfight that left a 17-year-old dead and two men injured. And the Sun turned to Twitter in a big way.

August was Jon Cardin's douchey proposal and lots of Harbor violence.

In September, Ponts killed Rice with the samurai sword, and hidden cameras revealed how helpful and friendly Baltimore ACORN staffers are.
And we got this stat:
"The 234 people killed last year had a combined 2,404 prior arrests - 162 related to guns and 898 related to drugs. That's an average of 10 arrests per suspect and 10.3 arrests per victim."

In October, Hopkins student Miriam Frankl was mowed down by a rampaging drunk after cops repeatedly ignored 911 calls.

November's claim to fame is the trial-- and conviction-- of the Mayor, who still refuses to step down. Still no word on who's going to pay for her crack team of esquires.

And here in December, we saw an 81-year-old put in jail by mistake, a soldier on leave from Afghanistan killed on a trip to the store, and our youngest murder victim, 20-month-old Janaya Wallace. And at 237 official homicides, we're wrapping up the year with three more murders than last year. For what it's worth.

2009 Victims


  • 238. Anthony Netzel, 56, 1 S. Highland Ave. (Beaten 12/24/07, Added. 12/31/09)

  • 237. Jeffrey Ward, 19, 3800 block of Oakford Ave. (12/30)

  • 236. Joseph Beatty, 38, 2300 block of Greenmount Ave. (12/29)

  • 235. Trina Johnson, 27, 1900 block of E. Lanvale St. (Found 10/08/2008, Added 12/27)

  • 234. Harrison Butler, 44, 700 block of North Linwood St. (12/26)

  • 233. Kinlaw Jones, 21, 1800 block of East Pratt St. (12/26)

  • 232. Ashley Harper, 53, 700 Block of West Lexington St. (12/26)

  • 231. Wayne Ruder, 56, 6999 Reisterstown Rd. (12/26)

  • 230. Janaya Wallace, 1, 2800 block of Kentucky Ave. (12/23)

  • 229. Danell Freeman, 19, 1000 block of McAleer Ct. (12/22)

  • 228. Stephen Makia, 28, 500 block of Belle Avenue (12/20)

  • 227. Clifford Williams, 22, 600 block of S. Wickham St. (12/20)

  • 226. Joshua Hargrove, 20, 1600 E North Ave. (12/19)

  • 225. Darnell Gray, 35, 700 block of Bartlett Ave. (12/16)

  • 224. Dante Johnson-Turner, 29, 4700 block of Liberty Heights Ave. (12/11)

  • 223. Dagas McGill, 39, 2300 block of Etting St. (Shot 9/17/99, d. 9/11/09)

  • 222. Glen Johnson, 32, 3300 Woodstock Ave. (12/12)

  • 221. Jamal Keates, 27, 2459 Shirley Ave. (12/12)

  • 220. Shannon Colbert, 32, 1400 E. Preston St. (Shot 8/14/08, d. 9/24/09)

  • 219. Deborah Beard, 59, 5500 Midwood Ave. (12/8)

  • 218. Corey Jones, 20, 2700 block of Orleans St. (12/05)

  • 217. Wayne Smith, 42, 2200 E. Fayette St. (Shot 1998, d. 12/03/09)

  • 216. Joshuan Beasley, 26, 1000 N. Carey St. (11/30)

  • 215. Tavon Waters, 26, 2800 Boarman Ave. (Shot 2006, d. 12/03/09)

  • 214. Qurra Iqbal, 17, 5500 Midwood Ave. (12/03)

  • 213. David Monath, 66, 4700 Glenarm Ave. (12/02)

  • 212. Antoine Ennis, 37, 1100 block of Whitlock Avenue (11/30)

  • 211. Ralph Taylor, 45, 100 W Cross St (shot 1993, d. 11/30/09)

  • 210. Alexander Murrell, 64, 2400 block of Edmondson Ave. (11/25)

  • 209. Glen H. Footman, 52, 600 block of N. Howard St. (11/09)

  • 208. Julius Sullivan, 36, 500 block of Gold St. (11/25)

  • 207. Larry Staton, 57, 1200 block of Winchester St. (Assaulted 12/29/02, d. 06/12/09)

  • 206. Curtis Mitchell, 28, 1400 block of Carswell St. (11/24)

  • 205. Angelo Dangerfield, 21, 2800 block of Spelman Road (11/25)

  • 204. Tavon Fortune, 23, 1200 N. Curley St. (11/19)

  • 203. Brandon Benjamin, 22, 3100 McElderry St. (11/20)

  • 202. Virginia McGhee, 34, 2140 N. Fulton Ave. (11/19)

  • 201. Lykeisha Freeman, 35, 900 block of East Eager St. (11/17)

  • 200. Carron Spruiel, 25, 2900 block of Garrison Blvd. (11/15)

  • 199. Antonio Smith, 18, 1900 block of E. Lanvale St (11/15)

  • Josue Zelaya, 18, 400 block of Glover St. (11/15)ruled justified

  • 198. Anthony Swann, 45, 800 block of Lemmon St. (11/14)

  • 197. Sammie McCullough Jr, 36, 1200 block of North Avenue at Druid Hill Avenue (11/13)

  • 196. Jose Chacon, 35, 5100 block of Arbutus Avenue (11/13)

  • 195. Martin Hawkins, 38, 3600 block of Gelston Drive (11/12)

  • 194. Michael McFadden, 51, 2000 block of W. Lanvale St. (11/12)

  • 193. Jason Madison Jr, 15, 2400 block of Llewelyn Ave. (11/10)

  • 192. Kenneth Jones, 46, 3000 Towanda Ave. (11/09)

  • 191. Charlie Williams, 25, First block of W. 20th St. (11/08)

  • 190. Johnnie Hawkins, 40, 100 block of S. Payson St. (11/07)

  • 189. Allen Johnson, 32, 2400 block of Pickering Drive (11/03)

  • 188. Joseph Taylor, 28, 1300 block of W. Fayette St. (10/03)

  • 187. Eric Cromwell, 20, 800 block of Washburn Ave. (10/29)

  • 186. Dennis Cornish, 30, 1500 block of Edmondson Ave. (10/30)

  • 185. Joshua McKinney, 24, 4800 block of E. Cold Spring Lane (10/30)

  • 184. Darren Green, 24, 1500 block of Montpelier St. (10/26)

  • 183. Constantine "Dino" Frank, 54, 1000 block of S. Lakewood Ave. (10/19)

  • 182. Hubert Benston, 38, 100 block of N. Central Ave. (10/20)

  • 181. Brock Tatum, 21, 1200 block of Hollins St. (10/18)

  • 180. Rashaud Coates, 31, 2000 Denison St. (10/15)

  • 179. Lewis White, 34, 2400 block of Baker St. (10/14)

  • 178. Ivan Wood, 28, 3900 block of Elmora Ave (10/14)

  • 177. Mark Johnson, 31, 3200 block of W. Lexington St. (10/13)

  • 176. Alonzo Key, 26, 700 block of North Kenwood Ave. (10/11)

  • 175. Damon Jackson, 37, 1927 Oakhill Ave (10/10)

  • 174. Dion Jones, 35, 3714 Springdale Ave. (10/11)

  • 173. Calvin Taylor, 39, 2600 block of Barclay St. (10/09)

  • 172. Elda Vazquez, 30, 537 Benninghaus Rd (10/02)

  • 171. Darius Anderson, 17, West Lafayette Ave. and North Payson St. (10/02)

  • 170. Antoine Rawlings, 28, 4000 block of Massachusetts Ave. (10/02)

  • 169. Ethel Henderson, 85, Poplar Grove St. (6/17)

  • 168. Jamal White, 26, 1800 block of Dover St. (9/27)

  • 167. Shantel Brown, 31, Sinclair Lane and North Chester St. (9/25)

  • 166. Kareem Guest, 29, 2440 Maisel Court (9/20)

  • 165. Eugene Chambers, 20, 1600 block of Cypress St. (9/19)

  • 164. Stanley Mooring, 50, 600 block of Ashburton St. (9/18)

  • 163. Gerard S. Thomas, 24, 3400 block Cliftmont Ave. (9/17)

  • 162. Jerome Blackmon, 30, 3200 Belair Rd. (9/11)

  • 161. Alvin Allston, 45, West Cold Spring and Resiterstown Rd. (9/13)

  • 160. Darrell Neal, 31, 500 block of Presstman St. (9/14)

  • 159. Michael Chase, 46, 1500 block of Hopewell Ct.(shot 1988, d 5/19/09)

  • 158. André Williams, 35, 100 block of West Cross St.(9/13)

  • 157. Israeli Mason, 18, 2000 block of McCulloh St.(9/13)

  • Suspicious Unidentified, 1225 W Pratt St (9/9)

  • 156. Trenton Marshall, 20, 2300 block of E Northern Parkway (9/11)

  • 155. Shelton Elliott, 43, block of 500 N Carey St. (9/9)

  • 154. Charles Mack, 47, 2700 Ashland Ave (9/8)

  • 153. Kenneth Burley Jr, 17, 500 block Radnor Ave. (9/10)

  • 152. Kevin Taylor, 29, 3100 block of Sumter Ave/4400 bl. Pimlico Rd. (9/4)

  • 151. David Hunt, 23, 1600 block of Filbert Street/ 1600 Elmtree Ave (9/5)

  • 150. Jamaal Holmes, 25, 1600 Presstman St (9/4)

  • 149. Larry Daniels, 32, 1900 N. Fulton St.(9/1)

  • 148. Chris Hester, 38, 3000 block of Presstman St.(8/25)

  • 147. Shawn Williams, 28, 3200 block of Lyndale Ave.(8/26)

  • 146. Michael White, 24, 598 Presstman St.(8/27)

  • 145. Erica Carr, 37, 1400 block of Kenhill Ave.(8/27)

  • 144. Nolan Evans, 40, Garrison Boulevard at Liberty Heights Ave (8/25)

  • 143. Marlon Ringgold, 31, Jefferson St. at Collington Ave (8/21)

  • 142. David Deans, 25, 4400 block of Belle Avenue (8/20)

  • 141. David Lumpkins, 21, 600 block of Yale Ave (8/21)

  • 140. Donte Gunter, 25, 100 block of S. Highland Ave (8/20)

  • Suspiciously dead male, 302 E. Lanvale St. Has not yet been ruled a homicide (8/13)

  • 139. Gregory Wilson, 20, N. Lakewood and E. Oliver (8/11)

  • 138. Thomas Medley, 32, 200 block of S. Herring Court (8/10)

  • 137. Charles Gregory Pratt, 18, 600 block of Cherry Hill Road (8/9)

  • 136. Stevie Ford Jr., 19, Perkins Homes (6/25)

  • 135. Steven Eldridge, 25, 2100 block of Edmondson Ave. (8/1)

  • 134. Cortez Smith, 18, 800 block of Allendale St. (8/2)

  • 133. Stanley Joines, 26, of the 1915 W. Lafayette Ave. (found 8/1)

  • 132. Marcella Lawson, 26, 2800 block of Edgecombe Circle North (8/1)

  • 131. David Reese, 18, 200 N. Paca (8/1)

  • 130. Lamont Woodard, 39, 500 block of E. Lynn Ave (7/31)

  • 129. Darvin Jones, 19, 200 N. Conkling St. (7/26)

  • 128. Gary Martin, 18, 200 N. Conkling St. (7/26)

  • 127. Shonte Ellis, 27, 4200 block of Erdman Avenue (7/25)

  • 126. Marcus Sanchez, 27, 5100 block of Foster Avenue (7/25)

  • 125. Antoine Davis, 33, 3605 Woodland Ave (7/23)

  • 124. Jerrod Reed, 16, Kenwood and Madison (7/19)

  • 123. Diandre Cherry, 25, 3400 block of Lake Montebello Drive (7/16)

  • 122. John Woodies, 38, 4000 block of Old York Road at Dumbarton Avenue (7/15)

  • 121. Josephine Lewatowski, 48, 511 S. Regester St. (7/14)

  • 120. Antwon Witherspoon, 28, Alameda & 30th (7/13)

  • 119. Curtis Shepherd, 36, Falkirk and Cedarcroft Roads (7/13)

  • 118. Julius Powell, 23, 2100 block of West Fairmount Avenue (shot 12/25/03, d. 7/3)

  • 117. Charles Armstead, 21, 2900 block of McElderry St. (7/9)

  • 116. Maurice McFadden, 18, 1700 block of Division St. (7/8)

  • 115. Arnold Foster Jr., 21, 3908 block of Fairfax Road (7/8)

  • 114. Gerrod Finch, 21, Wheeler St and Harlem Ave (7/1)

  • 113. Steven Frank Wilson, 24, 1600 block of E. Eager St (6/30)

  • 112. Tavon Walker, 28, 2100 block of Brighton Street (6/29)

  • 111. Antonio Montgomery, 36, 3400 block of Fairview Ave. (6/29)

  • Jermaine W. Womack, 32, 300 block of Charter Oak Avenue ruled justified(6/22)

  • 110. Robert Phelps, 48, 3000 block of Baker Street (6/27)

  • 109. James Johnson, 36, 3000 block of Baker Street (6/27)

  • 108. Candido C. Hernandez, 46, 2700 E. Fayette St. (6/19)

  • 107. Edward Davis, 39, 1800 St. Paul St. (6/24)

  • 106. Wanda Hackett, 51, 2200 Tucker Lane (6/23)

  • 105. Wesley Nelson, 29, 1800 block of N. Chapel St (6/21)

  • 104. Edward Patterson, 39, 2300 E. Oliver Street (6/19)

  • 103. Tyrone Phillips, 19, 600 block of Tunbridge Rd. (6/18)

  • 102. Tony Geiger, 41, 100 block Old Riverside Road (6/2)

  • 101. Pierre Alford, 24, 1902 Braddish Ave. (6/16)

  • 100. Lydia Steed, 31, 4003 Biddison Lane (6/10)

  • 99. Allisha Royster, 23, 4003 Biddison Lane (6/10)

  • 98. Darnell Johns, 21, 1730 N. Payson St. (6/10)

  • 97. Karl Snyder, 21, 2500 block of East Federal Street (6/8)

  • 96. Dana Richardson, 44, 900 block of Brooks Lane (6/7)

  • 95. Anthony Benitez, 21, 1400 block of Anglesea St. (6/3)

  • Suspicious death, unidentified, 2743 St Paul St.(6/1)Has not yet been ruled a homicide

  • 94. Joseph Woah-Tee, 60, 4300 block of York Road (5/31)

  • 93. Douglas Winston Jr., 35, 600 block of North Port Street (5/30)

  • 92. Ricardo Montgomery, 39, parking lot, 2800 Ailsa Ave (5/30)

  • 91. Milton Stepney, 32, Eutaw and Lombard streets (5/28)

  • 90. Curtis Brown, 32, 1100 block of W. North Ave. (5/27)

  • 89. David Parker, 25, 200 block of N. Collington Ave.
  • 88. Sean Howard, 24, 3100 block of Cliftmont Ave. (5/25)

  • 87. Hardy Jones, 26, 3300 block of Noble St (5/25)

  • 86. Quite Vanterpool, 41, near Clifton Park Pool (5/25)

  • 85. Keon Cameron, 18, 1800 block of East 28th St. (5/23)

  • 84. Chernere Wooten, 18, 300 block of North Carrollton Avenue (5/23)

  • 83. Lee Johnson, 28, shot Sept. 27, 2008, 1900 block of Frederick Ave. (5/22)

  • 82. Tavon Crawford, 26, shot April 12, 2005, 2700 block of Saint Lo Drive (d. 1/2009)

  • 81. Lucio Solarzano, 84, 7001 Reisterstown Rd. (5/16)

  • 80. Christopher Ricks, 32, 2000 block of Kennedy Avenue (5/9)

  • 79. Anthony Griffin, 23, 3200 block of Montebello Terrace (5/8)

  • 78. Deontae Carter, 24, 3000 block of Elgin Ave. (5/9)

  • 77. Anthony Eggers, 48, 600 block of Parkwyrth Ave. (5/5)

  • 76. Fabian Palmer, 24, 3300 block of Frederick Ave (5/3)

  • 75. William Jones, 26, 800 block of Milton Ave. (5/2)

  • 74. Frank Swiston, 48, 2800 block of Erdman Ave (4/25)

  • 73. Shawn Williams, 18, 2200 block of Christian Street (4/27)

  • 72. Maurice Toomer, 17, 3200 block of Normount Road (4/25)

  • 71. Jasmon Jiggetts, 28, 1600 block of E. Eager (4/22)

  • 70. Kenneth Johnson, 23, 5100 block of Hillburn Ave. (4/21)

  • 69. Melody Smith, 54, 700 block of Yale Ave (4/21)

  • 68. Qonta Waddell, 24, 3115 Windsor Ave. (4/21)

  • 67. Calvin Hayes, 75/78, 2100 block of North Wolfe Street (4/18)

  • 66. Ernesto Flores, 23, 16 N Clinton St (4/18)

  • 65. Erskine Evans III, 28, Gorman Avenue near MARC stop (4/15)

  • 64. Harold Able Sr., 63, 1800 block of Aiken Street (4/15)

  • 63. Russell Day, 30, 2100 block of Christian Street (4/13)

  • 62. Quinton Savage, 22, 2800 block of Winwood Court (4/11)

  • 61. Dominic Baker, 16, 1900 block of Wilkens Ave. (4/8)

  • Unidentified man, 1017 Hillen Road (4/7)Has not yet been ruled a homicide

  • 60. Curtis Pounds, 36, 4700 block of Homesdale Avenue (4/5)

  • 59. Dorothea Wright, 42, 500 S. Broadway and Gough St. (4/5)

  • 58. Timothy Hebron, 23, near Northwood Shopping Center (4/4)

  • 57. Zachary Thompson, 48 400 block of Watty Court (4/3)

  • 56. Darrell T. Lee, 19, 2900 block of Allendale Road (4/1)

  • 55. Dewayne M. Booker, 20, 2200 block of Sherwood Ave. [shot on Bonaparte Ave] (4/1)

  • 54. Marcus Nicholson, 20, 1700 block of McCulloh St. (3/30)

  • 53. David Williams, 20, 1500 block of West Fayette Street (3/31)

  • 52. Derrick K. Franklin, 28, 3800 block of Lyndale Ave. (3/31)

  • Questionable death, N. Abington Ave/Elbert St. (3/27)Has not yet been ruled a homicide
  • 51. Caneil/Kaneil Fullwood, 29, 700 block of W. North Avenue (3/26)

  • 50. Carlos Spence, 23, 5800 block of Edgepark Road (3/26)

  • 49. Kara Lawson, 23, 500 N. Ellwood Ave. (3/23)

  • 48. Davon Saunders, 26, near train tracks in the 600 block of W. Patapsco Ave. (3/22)
  • 47. Marty/Martie Williams Jr., 20, 2600 Maisel St. (3/21)

  • 46. William L. Smith, 24, 6500 block of Cleveland Ave. (3/17)

  • 45. Adrian Martise, 24, 2900 block of Greenmount Ave. (3/17)

  • 44. Anthony Bailey, 20, 2900 block of Greenmount Ave. (3/17)

  • 43. Keon Barnes, 35, 1900 block of Pulaski Street (3/14)

  • 42. Andrew Goodwin, 22, 400 block of Normandy Avenue (3/13)

  • 41. Roger Dennis, 24, 300 block of W. North Avenue (shot 1997, d. 8/08)

  • 40. Wayne Robinson, 22, 3300 block of E. Baltimore St. (3/8)

  • 39. Sctario Tia Edwards, 25, 800 Linden Ave (3/7)

  • 38. Herbert Carsten Jr., 17, 3700 block of E. Lombard St. (3/6)

  • 37. Nelson Gause, 29, 1500 block of Clipper Road (3/1)

  • 36. Frederick Jeffrey Archer, 68, 700 block of N. Arlington Ave. (2/26)

  • 35. Ramon Williams, 2500 block of Loyola Northway (2/22)

  • 34. José Escobar Peña, 32, 3500 block of Eastern Avenue (2/22)

  • 33. Hubert Dickerson, 32, 2500 block of W. Baltimore St. (2/21)

  • 32. Rodger Evans Jr., 24, 5600 block of Sagra Road (2/16)

  • 31. James Flannery, 23, 3900 block of S. Hanover St., (2/16)

  • 30. Michael Davis, 30, intersection of Erdman Avenue and East Federal Street (2/14)

  • 29. Daniel Lee Hoeck, 62, 6100 block of Glenoak Avenue (2/13)

  • 28. Eric Pendergrass, 26, Patapsco River (2/9)

  • 27. Tracy Kinchen, 34, 1700 block of E. 32nd Street (2/11)

  • 26. Faruq Barakaat, 20, 2100 block of Presbury Street (2/10)

  • 25. David Bryan Wright, 47, 1600 block of Gorsuch Ave. (4 p.m. 2/4)

  • 24. Lemuel Wallace, 37, 1500 block of North Franklintown Road (1:45 p.m. 2/4)

  • 23. Demetrius M. Saulsbury, 22, 1700 block of N. Washington St. (3 a.m. 2/4)

  • 22. Kendrick L. Daney, 38, 200 block of W. Dickman St (2/1)

  • 21. Theodore E. Moore, 44, North Pulaski Street and Edmondson Avenue (1/31)

  • 20. James McKoy, 46, 900 block of Poplar Grove St. (1/29)

  • 19. Dewayne Lawrence, 17, 4900 block of Aberdeen Ave. (1/28)

  • 18. Jasmine Harris, 23, 3000 block of Windsor Ave. (1/27)

  • 17. Stephen Mauk, 47, 200 block of N. Bond St. (1/26)

  • 16. Juan Johnson, 14, 4400 block of Pall Mall Road (1/25)

  • 15. Jaiwan Jones, 26, 1200 block of Bayard Street (1/16)

  • 14. Ronald Crosby, 56, 5400 block of Jamestowne Court (1/14)

  • Shawn Green, 17, Alameda and 32nd Street (1/11)- ruled justified

  • 13. Bryant Eldridge, 20, 3600 block of E. Lombard St. (1/9)

  • 12. Kipton A. Degree Jr., 23, 5000 block of Dickey Hill Road (1/8)

  • 11. Antron Betts, 35, North Bond and East Eager Sts. (1/7)

  • 10. David Falkinburg, 45, 2800 block of Clearview Ave. (1/6)

  • 9. Joshua Harris, 21, 3600 block of Reisterstown Road (1/5)
  • 8. Tian Zin Wang, 51, 800 block of Webb Court (d. 1/5)
  • 7. Andre Thorpe, 17, 800 block of N. Kenwood Ave. (s. 1/2)

  • 6. Lougene Williams III, 20, 4000 block of Chesmont Ave. (1/4)

  • 5. Mayresa Craft, 15, 5600 Loch Raven Boulevard (1/4)

  • 4. Trevane Ricks, 16, 5600 Loch Raven Boulevard (1/4)

  • 3. Glenn Cunnigham, 22, 1100 block of Orleans Street (2 a.m. 1/2)

  • 2. Marcel Mitchell, 20, 1100 block of Orleans Street (2 a.m. 1/2)

  • 1. Mario Williams, 31, 700 block of N. Luzerne Ave.
More on Clifford Jamar Williams, the soldier murdered here while on leave from Afghanistan.

Baltimore has reached "camera saturation"

justin_fenton
: Greenmount Ave. victim identified as a Joseph Beatty, 38, who just got out of prison on a 20 year robbery sentence (10 yrs suspended)

Should the death of A. Robert Kauffman be considered a homicide?

237

Unidentified man shot in the street in the 3800 block of Oakford Avenue just before 9:30 p.m. last night

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Violent and prolific offenders

"Program keeps a close eye on most violent and prolific offenders"

The Ink has last week's eight murders. Shocking that the deaths of Janaya Wallace and Clifford Williams haven't gotten more ink and airtime.

Kendall Jones, 19, was arrested in the fatal shooting of 53-year-old Ashley Harper, killed in front of his house Saturday night in Baltimore's Poppleton community

All about homicide and shooting numbers. Are there really 20% fewer shootings, but the remaining shootings are somehow 20% more likely to be fatal? or do these strange numbers signify something else-- like police taking 20% fewer reports?
Is there anything to corroborate these numbers, like emergency-room statistics?
And robberies are way up in the Northern, so where is it robberies are going down?

236


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Unidentified man, 2300 block of Greenmount Ave in front of the Jolly Tsa Carryout (pan right)

Your Tax $ at Work

"Five of the 12 jurors who convicted Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon of embezzling retail gift cards this month have been asked to return to court - this time, as witnesses."

Monday, December 28, 2009

More on Lenny Clay

An interview with Lenny Clay, the 73-year old barber whose arm was broken by police during a traffic stop.
Lenny Clay: Police broke my arm

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Ding, ding, '09's homicide total passes '08s with the Medical Examiner's decision that Trina Johnson, 27, "whose remains were found Oct. 18, 2008, in a rowhouse in the 1900 block of E. Lanvale St., had been strangled."

231, 232, 233, 234

Two of the victims killed this past weekend were ID'd as Wayne Ruder, 56, shot at his jewelry store (though nothing was taken) at 6999 Reisterstown Road, and Ashley Harper, 53, shot in the chest in the 700 block of West Lexington.

The rest of the weekend killings were identified, including Kinlaw Jones, 21, shot on 1800 block of E. Pratt St, as well as a man shot earlier this week who died today was ID'd as Harrison Butler, 44 shot on the 700 block of North Linwood St.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Crime never takes holidays off, but I do.


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Chalk up another murder to the tally, as police classify the death of a 20-month-old child as a homicide.

Terrell Allen, a man who police believe is the leader of a violent drug organization, which has been the cause of several shooitngs in the past year and a half, was given a 4 year federal sentence recently.

Questions have yet to be answered in the shooting of a 15-year-old girl.

Justin Fenton gives us a deeper look into the troubling history of suspected rapist Donald Vaughan.

It took several fights and a brutal murder for people to realize that the Baltimore Christian Warriors are quite possibly the worst church group ever.

In a slightly more uplifting news, a 2007 murder victim is going to be remembered at The Rose Parade on new years day.

Way to go feds! A pair of 15 year sentences were handed out to two Baltimore baddies. A 50-year-old was caught tipping over an
armored car
, while a three time convicted felon got locked away for having a whole lotta ammo just lying around

And finally, an intriguing look inside the history of the convicted murderer shot to death by police earlier this month.

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Four shootings yesterday including a fatal in the middle of the afternoon at East Madison and Aisquith Streets.

... and it sounds like the girl shot in Brooklyn Park yesterday was only 15

We're number 1

According to a report, Maryland classifies more deaths "undetermined" than any other state..

And hey, isn't it a crime to threaten violence against the Mayor's spokesman, even if you're the head of the city's firefighters union?

Monday, December 21, 2009

Canton attacker

A man offering to shovel snow for residents in Canton forces his way into a woman's home and sexually assaults her.

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Fenton tweets that the incidents on 1600 E. North and Williston and S. Wickham are apparently now homicides.
Two charged in murder of Ghanan immigrant in Leakin Park.

Snow barely slowed the pace of violence. Police Tweeted:

Shooting, Claremont/Dean, adult male shot about 10 hours ago from UberTwitter

Shooting - Wickham Rd/Williston, adult male shot. about 11 hours ago from UberTwitter

Shooting - S.Fulton Av / W.Pratt St-Adult male shot about 15 hours ago from UberTwitter

Shooting-1600 Blk Bakbury Ct-Adult male shot in the leg about 18 hours ago from UberTwitter

STABBING - 1600 E North Av. M/B/ stabbed multiple times, transported to Hopkins. 8:30 AM Dec 19th from UberTwitter

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Ervin Convicted in Roland Park Rape

Reports the SAO:
Roger ErvinA Baltimore jury today convicted Roger Len Ervin, [pictured right] 48, of the 3100 block of Oakley Avenue of first-degree rape, third-degree sex offense, two separate counts of first-degree assault, armed robbery, use of handgun in crime of violence, wear/carry/transport handgun, first-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary. Jurors heard three days of testimony and deliberated approximately one hour before reaching its verdict.

On August 23, 2007 Ervin broke into the victim’s Roland Park home and raped her. He also burglaized the home and robbed the victim of personal possession while pointing a gun at her. Police recovered DNA from the victim and eventually identified Ervin with a DNA search of the Combined Offender Data Index System (CODIS) in March 2008.

Judge John Howard ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for February 12, 2010. If given the maximum sentence on all counts, Ervin faces a possible prison term of life plus 118 years.
Links here and here from the Examiner in August of 2007.
Guess the 2nd guy is still out there somewhere

Purple City Dipset?

Darnell "Ronnell" WilliamsHermann claims Darnell Williams (right), a member of the Purple City "Dip Set" (presumably the drug clique, not the rap group) was arrested and charged with two rapes

More on yesterday's shootout in Brooklyn, the alleged shooter, Michael S. Guest, has died

Judge Motz compares West Baltimore to "bombed-out Beirut" but says city's suit against Wells Fargo is "silly"

Criminal charges are pending against a 20-year-old drunk who mowed down a 62-year-old man and kept going. And county police are ISO a driver who killed a woman this morning on Eastern Avenue.

An MTA employee is charged with stealing $400K of fares

Monday, December 14, 2009

Officer-involved shooting

Police Tweet, "POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING - 9TH ST /E PATAPSCO AVE. SUSPECT SHOT, OFFICER NOT INJURED."
This would be the 23nd police-involved shooting this year.

Meanwhile,

the family of Byron Matthews, #22, point out that the victim had no criminal record and was a father of twins

And the victim of shooting #21, Michael Blake Jr., and his 16-year-old accomplice, were officially charged with the attempted robbery of Hampden Discount Liquors. Blake was shot by "hero" Officer Adam Braskich

All in the Family

CP: "there's more going on than meets the eye" in the case of 21-year-old former prison guard Lynae Chapman, charged with procuring a cell phone for her incarcerated BGF babydaddy-to-be.

Friday morning, "Shawn Michael Green, a former federal fugitive accused by the feds of drug trafficking and money laundering, pleaded guilty to drug dealing and being involved in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The plea agreement also outlines Green's involvement in a fraud scheme, along with his mother Yolanda Crawley, in which the two used false documents to defraud mortgage companies."

Media Blabber: Sounds like the Washington Times may be shutting down, or at least downsizing Father's propaganda-making significantly
(via DCRTV)

Sick of it all...

Police say Union Square president Chris Taylor's behavoir before he was arrested induced vomiting in a victim, but friends and neighbors say he's never made anyone sick.

Meanwhile, a bill to corral the city's controversial parking penalties will finally get a hearing

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Mother of slain teen dies

The mother of the 17-year old girl beaten to death last week died Tuesday evening. Both mother and daughter were beaten to death by 32-year old William Jones last week.

30 Years for Murder of Three-Year-Old

From the SAO (warning: deeply depressing)
At a hearing today Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Phillip Queen, 29, of the 100 block of Conley Drive to two concurrent 30 year prison terms. Queen pled guilty June 30, 2009 to second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.

On June 8, 2007 Queen caused the death of Jabari Stocks, 3, while babysitting him at the house they shared in the 900 block of Patapsco Avenue. The mother was working that night. Queen called the mother while she was at work that night advising her that Jabari was not breathing and was unresponsive. Queen said that Jabari had choked. The mother left work and rushed home to take Jabari to Harbor Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

An autopsy was performed and the cause of death was ruled homicide by trauma to the brain with force. Testimony would have shown that Queen took a disliking to Stokes, calling him spoiled and that eventually, June 8, 2007, he hit Jabari in a way in which his head was slammed into an object, severing neurons in his brain. Felony Family Violence Division Chief Julie Drake and Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Burrell prosecuted this case.

Small fires and minor strangling

Nine days in Charles Village, from the benefits district and JHU security. Thanks Buz!
Note that the 300 block of E. University continues to be targeted, even without Donald D. Rice. As Buz says, "their bench is deep!"
Robbery (Armed-Multiple Victims) –2000 blk. Maryland Ave. 12/4/09 10:00pm
The Victims were in a vehicle, at which time they were approached by the suspect who asked them if they had the time. The suspect then pulled out a silver revolver and demanded money from the victims. Both victims showed the suspect that they had no money, at which time the suspect took several personal items from the victims and ordered them to drive away. 
 
Armed Robbery (Commercial) – 2000 blk. Maryland Ave. 12/4/09 8:00 pm 
Property Taken: Cell Phones, $800, Skull Caps
2 suspects entered the business wearing ski masks and armed with handguns. One suspect jumped over the counter and pointed a revolver. Suspect two pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the owner and forced him to the ground. The suspect then took above listed property and fled the location N/B ON Maryland Ave. 
 
Robbery (Unarmed) – 3300 blk. Greenmount Ave 12/4/09 8:30pm
Property Taken: $20
The victim was waiting on the bus-stop with his $20 in his hand waiting to board the bus. At which time he was approached by unknown suspects (No Descriptions Given) knocked the victim to the ground, removed the $20 from his hand, and fled W/B ON 33RD Street.
 
Armed Robbery - 2100 blk. Charles Street 11/30/09 3:00 am   
Property Taken: Cell Phone, Wallet, Credit Cards and Keys
The victim had just left the bar when he was approached by 2 suspects (No Descriptions Given). The suspects asked the victim if he knew where they could get some weed. The victim stated “no” at which time the suspects pulled out handguns and stated “don’t move, I’m going to bust your ass”. The victim gave up the listed property to the suspects. The suspects fled in an unknown direction.

Armed Robbery - 2400 blk. Charles Street 11/30/09 7:50 pm 
Property Taken: Cell Phone, Wallet, Credit Cards, SS Cards, Insurance Card
The victim was walking when the suspect approached and put him a headlock and stated “don’t f*cking move, I’ll blow your f*cking brains out, give me everything in your pockets. The victim complied, the suspect fled W/B on 24th Street
 
Attempted Robbery (Unarmed) – 100 blk. W. 25TH Street 11/30/09 6:45 pm
No Property Taken: Attempt
The victim was walking on the street when she was approached by two suspects. The suspects began to physically assault her, one suspect tried to take the victims purse. The victim resisted, the suspects then abandoned their efforts to rob the victim and fled W/B on 25th Street. 
 
Attempted Robbery (Unarmed) – 2800 blk. Maryland Ave. 12/2/09 10:45 am
No Property Taken
The suspect approached the victim on a bike. The suspect asked the victim for a cigarette, the victim stated “no”. The suspect then choked the victim, the victim fought back. The suspect fled on his bike.
 
Armed Robbery (Commercial) – 2400 blk. Charles Street 11/23/09 3:50 pm- 9:00 am
Property Taken: $150
The suspect entered the store and began ordering food. The suspect then placed his hand in his pocket implying that he had a gun and stated “give me all the money now”. The employee complied and opened the register and gave the suspect the money. The suspect then fled S/B on Charles Street. 
 
Burglary (Commercial) – 2000 blk. Maryland Ave. 12/2/09 9:30 pm – 9:00 am
 
Property Taken: Unknown
An unknown suspect broke the front window to gain entry. The suspect moved the items around inside the church and fled w/o removing any property.  
 
Stolen Auto – 2200 blk. Calvert Street 11/29/09 7:15 pm Property Taken: 2001 Volvo S60 MD Tag 48755CC
 
Larceny from Auto – 2200 blk. Guilford Ave. 12/5/09 7:19 pm – 6:29 am Property Taken: 7” monitor screen for back-up camera
 
Larceny from Auto – 400 blk. E. 23RD Street 12/5/09 5:00 pm – 8:30 am Property Taken: Debit Card, SS Card, Credit Card, Health Ins. Card


On Campus

Theft from Building – Update – Arrest – 3003 N. Charles St. (suite 300) – On Dec. 2nd at 3:00 PM, after an investigation by JHU Security and the Baltimore City Police, a graduate school alumnus working as a casual employee of CSOS, was arrested on a warrant for this offense. 

Theft from Building – Latrobe Hall Room 1 – Between Nov. 25th and Nov. 30th a JHU graduate student reported that person(s) unknown entered through an unlocked rear door inside room1, due to a faulty lock, and removed a laptop and power cord from the middle desk in the room.  This incident was reported on Dec.2nd at 12:01 PM.  Investigation continuing.   

Off Campus  

Theft –From Building – 3100 Wyman Park Drive (Room 170A) – On Nov. 30th between 10:00 AM and 1:45 PM, a Baltimore City Police Officer and a Campus Officer responded for a JHMI employee who reported that her cell phone, Bluetooth, social security card and two debit cards were removed from her purse, that was in an unsecured break room. All cards were cancelled.  Investigation continuing.  
 
Fire – PJ’s Pub, Charles Apts., 3333 N. Charles St. – Dec. 4th at 12:22 AM, Fire Department, campus officers and building maintenance responded for a report of smoke at the building’s rear basement area. The building was evacuated. The smoke was found to be coming from inside a men’s room bathroom wall at PJ’s Pub. The Fire Department opened the wall and extinguished a small fire. No injuries.   
 
ARREST – Robbery (Strong Arm) – Charles Village Pub, 3100 Blk. St. Paul St. – Dec. 7th at 1:38 AM, an off-duty Baltimore Police officer arrested a male suspect who attempted to steal a purse from a chair in the Charles Village Pub.  The purse’s owner observed the suspect remove the purse from the chair and struggled with him to retain it.  Campus officers assisted in detaining the suspect until the arrival of Baltimore Police. Recovered from inside the suspect’s automobile was other stolen property, including a purse stolen earlier from the Charles Village Pub at 9:55 PM on Dec. 6t h . Medics treated the arrested person for hand and face abrasions. All parties involved are non-affiliates.  Investigation continuing.  
 
Armed Robbery of Non-Affiliate – 3000 Blk. St. Paul St. (east side) – On Dec. 6th at 1:45 AM, a non-affiliate walking alone was approached from the rear by an unknown male who grabbed her, held a hard object against her back and threatened her. The suspect took her purse and struck her in the head with the object in his hand. The suspect fled on foot, last seen running west on E. 30th Street. The victim was treated at Union Memorial for injuries. Baltimore Police and campus officers searched the area with negative results. Investigation continuing. (The incident was reported to Baltimore Police at 1:56 AM).  

Burglary (Private Residence) & Assault – 300 Blk. E. University Parkway – On Dec. 4th at 6:50 PM, a senior undergraduate returning home and going upstairs encountered an unknown male, carrying a bag, coming down from the 3rd floor. The male pushed the student backwards, ran into a 2nd floor room and exited through the window. A lap top computer, wallet and two bottles of cologne had been taken from rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Entry had been gained by removing an air conditioner from a 2nd floor porch window. Baltimore Police and campus officers searched the area with negative results. Investigation continuing.  
 
Theft from Auto – Evergreen House parking lot, 4545 N. Charles St. – On Dec. 6th at approximately 1:20 PM, the passenger side window was broken on a non-affiliate’s parked vehicle while the owner was in the building. A purse containing cash, cell phone and credit card was taken. The credit card was subsequently used. Investigation continuing. 

We'll all go together when we go...

Why are politicians rallying around Conviction Dixon? Maybe because without "developers," those fund-raising dinners would be awfully quiet.

Dixon watch

Dixon ducks out of speech at JHU, staff said she didn't have time to write speech.

Going Rogue

DR: "The Baltimore Board of Estimates will be asked to approve a $225,000 payment to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit brought against the city police department by 17 people who accused the East Side Special Enforcement Team of “rogue” police work."

"Wikipedia search voids murder conviction"

"Maryland State Police say new reporting requirements for pawnbrokers and precious metal dealers have led to the recovery of more than $50,000 worth of stolen goods in the first month."

Remember the tale of Shirley Worcester, 58, killed by a stray bullet in Middle River? The gunman, 26-year-old Warren Yates got 75 years (in the county, of course). Yates was apparently chasing a guy who gave him a fake bankroll for a trash bag full of doobage.

Monday, December 7, 2009

An animal-control officer was shot while sitting in his van last Monday

WTF? Ravens linebacker's babymom says he knocked her down, spilled bleach on her and his son

Family of murder victim Shantel Brown is hoping witnesses will come forward

The widow of Officer Norman Stamp has filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city, Stamp was Tazered and shot in a bar fight last year.

Arrest of Union Square community president

The president of the Union Square Community Association is not pleased with his recent arrest, police say he intefered with an investigation, he says being handcuffed and taked to Central booking has "shattered" his sense of security.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Hi Haters

Sun poll: most Baltimoreans think Dixon should leave office, though nearly a third of those polled would vote for her if she ran again.

and a pair grows on Calvert St!
Rodricks: "I don't think our city can afford a bad-news mayor for any length of time"
Rosen: "people are comparing Baltimore with tainted places such as Detroit"

Shooting, Beating at Downtown Sheraton

Three Two adults were seriously injured early this morning at a birthday party at the Sheraton hotel, 101 West Fayette Street, police Tweet that arrests are "forthcoming" and there will be a press conference today at 2:30 pm.

Update: more details

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Havoc in Hampden

SpotCrime reports a man shot in the head in the 3600 block of Elm Avenue... right by the Wine Source. Looks like the guy was fleeing the scene after being shot by an off-duty officer at the Hampden Discount Liquors on Falls Road, one of a pair of suspects who'd already robbed two other places in the past hour!

Friday, December 4, 2009

20 years for crazed, tazed shooter

From the SAO:
At a hearing today, Judge John A. Howard sentenced Christina Rather, 22, of the 1500 block of Mountmor Court to seven concurrent 20 year prison terms. Rather pled guilty August 11, 2009 to seven counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Judge Howard sentenced Rather under terms of the state-recommended plea agreement.

On November 16, 2008, at 9:32 PM Baltimore Police receive a call of an armed person discharging a weapon at 327 West Lorraine Avenue. When officers arrive, they observed Rather running out the front door carrying a black handgun in her right hand. The officers withdrew their service weapons and told the defendant to drop her gun and when she refused, taszered her. Police interviewed several occupants of the house and it was reported that Rather was involved in a relationship with one of the occupants, but that the relationship was over. Rather went to this location to talk about this relationship and knocked on the door. When the occupants would not let her in, she then kicked open the door causing damage to the door and frame. Rather eventually became enraged and retrieved a handgun from her car.

The occupants of the house, totaling seven people, hid in the basement. Inside the house were two teenagers and a six-year old. Hatcher fired a bullet breaking a basement window and gained entry to the house. Family members scattered throughout the house while Rather tried shooting at them, only to have the gun malfunction. One of the occupants was able to grab a candlestick holder and struck Rather. The fight ensued out the front door where until police officers arrived.

Police recovered a black Ruger 9mm handgun along with five 9mm cartridges.

Dixon gets mixed holiday greeting

A mixed chorus of "boos and cheers" greeted our recenlty convicted Mayor at the annual Mt. Vernon holiday ligthing fest.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The graft that keeps on grifting

Baltimore Lead Inspector Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Lead Inspection Certificates

Girls gone too wild?

A Girls Gone Wild tour bus, lots of liqour, and some topless girls at Bourbon street last September has lead to liquor board charges against the downtown nightclub.

"Double Life" for Killing of 17-Year-Old

At a hearing Wednesday, Judge David W. Young sentenced Jamar Anderson, 20, of the 3000 block of Glenmore Avenue to two consecutive life in prison terms plus 20 years. A city jury convicted Anderson October 14, 2009 of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Judge Young sentenced Anderson to life in prison for the murder and attempted murder counts and 20 years in prison for the handgun count. Details:
On August 7, 2008 just after midnight Anderson fatally shot John Person, 17, in the 2900 block of Garrison Boulevard. Testimony showed that Anderson fired at least 10 shots at two victims. Police found Person lying across a threshold of an apartment suffering from a gunshot wound to his back. As a result of his injury, Person fell into a coma and succumbed to his injuries nine days later at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Hospital. The intended victim, Alethea Hawkins, was uninjured. According to testimony at trial Anderson was attempting to break into a house on that block earlier the previous day when he was interrupted by Hawkins, who called 911. Anderson told Hawkins he was going to come back to shoot and kill her.

Some nerve!

dixon statement
She'll also be lighting the Washington Monument tonight and riding in the Christmas Parade on Sunday.
If you're going to dig in, might as well go balls-out!

Mayor to Step Down at 3 p.m.?!

WBAL Tweets "Mayor Sheila Dixon says she will make a statement at 3pm about the recent jury verdict in her theft trial. Hear it on AM 1090 WBAL"

... JZ will cover it also and notes "Her office says she will not take media questions after the 3 p.m. news conference."
Some nerve!

.. WBAL TV is also planning to cover what they're calling an "announcement" live on the TV and the Internets.
Is Steala "Conviction" Dixon going to do the right thing?!

Post-Conviction and Living in Limbo

After the conviction, the tide of public opinion has turned against Dixon, but the establishment has assumed a buffalo stance to stand by their woman. City Council members are refusing to comment (or stepping on themselves to backtrack), and future Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake told the Sun she is making no preparations to become mayor.

Meanwhile, the Sun editorial pages demand an explanation but, a la Zaiafanice Lipscomb, can't bring themselves to change the locks.

But look on the bright side: They said a Baltimore city jury would never have the cojones to convict, and They were wrong. And as the CP's Nose notes, Baltimore has never been a city of laws, it has a long tradition of graft. Instead of the conviction being a "sad day for Baltimore," maybe it's a jolly sign that the grease isn't overtaking the gears.

More Dixoniana:
Judge Sweeney finds nothing wrong with jurors being Facebook friends

Baltimore Brew has "10 Questions We Wish Sheila Dixon Would Answer"

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Police Tweet, "HOMICIDE - 5522 MIDWOOD AVE. ... BPD TAKES SUSPECT INTO CUSTODY. A 17 Y/O FEMALE WAS KILLED, 59 Y/O IN CRITICAL."

JZ reports that the woman was a double-amputee and the 17-year-old took care of her.

The Sun reports that the 32-year-old suspect lived with them and barricaded himself in a nearby house after the murder.
Horrible.

Scofflaws strike back

Those pesky, ever mouting penalties heaped on top of city parking tickets may come to end, if JHU grad student Jason Howard has his way.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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Tweets the BPD: "Homicide - 4700 Glenarm Av-Adult male found."

A boy and his dog

WTF?! "A 9-year-old boy was shot in the left hand in West Baltimore Tuesday night after three men kicked in the front door of his house and opened fire on the boy and a dog" ... the boy was trying to protect his grandmother.

The Ink covers last week's five murders

Mondawmin MVA employee pleads guilty to making fake IDs

Former crime lab employee gives Peter Hermann the what-for re. his suggestion dropsy drug bags be fingerprinted
This picture is incredible-- like Dixon aged 20 years overnight!

More on the legal confusion surrounding who, what when and even if the mayor will be removed from office (not to mention who's going to pay for those hot$hot attorneys!)

Sun: "Mayor Dixon owes Baltimore an explanation" ... a little late for that, don't you think?

ps., who do you think dominated TV coverage of the verdict?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Convicted Mayor Won't Leave Office, Speak to Press

The Maryland state constitution is straightforward: "The Mayor shall, on conviction in a Court of Law, of wilful neglect of duty, or misbehavior in office, be removed from office by the Governor of the State."

But what if the Governor won't remove said mayor? And what if all of city government from the solicitor to the city council decided in a secret closed-door meeting that the definition of "conviction" was not really a finding in a court of law but instead a state "effective upon sentencing"?

Are her decisions legally binding? Can she get anything done when she could (theoretically) be sent to jail any day now? And who will be riding in the back of the convertible in the Hampden "Mayor's Christmas Parade" next Sunday?
Arnold Weiner?!

More on the Mayor

and she's not stepping down

Holy S@*T!! Mayor Convicted

of one count of misappropriation!
The count is punishable by a fine of up to 5 years in prison, and the state constitution requires that she be removed from office, but Dixon told reporters she does not plan to step down.
So who's mayor now?!

JZ's got their videos up, including interviews with two chatty jurors.

Is Today the Day?

Bykowicz tweets, "Judge is about to instruct the jury that they can return a partial verdict."

Monday, November 30, 2009

Dixon -v- Rohrbaugh

What the hell did Rohrbaugh and Dixon chat about in court today? Maybe, "is this jury nuts?"

More bad news

Looks like November just got deadlier
Headline of the Day: "Tweets Is Watching — Street Gangs Using Twitter"

Is nothing sacred?

On Hampden's 34th street, scammers work the crowd, claiming to be collecting donations

Deadly November

Fenton Tweets, "Just like last year, November has been the deadliest month in Baltimore this year, with 24 homicides (23, officially)"
Wonder why?
UPDATE: full story

Our dropsy's acting up

In the NW, Jewish "watchers" "gold standard" of community crime-prevention groups

Hermann on Baltimore's many cases of "dropsy"

What a deal! You can get legal advice for $10 at the Hollywood Diner

And the smokin, hair-braidin' no-law-dictionary havin' Dixon jury is back to the grind

SCOTUS: Detainee photos to stay under wraps; Ford still on the hook for liability claims

8 grand in the hole

Former Towson student travels from Texas to ask a city judge to relieve her of an $8000 parking ticket debt. City council hearing to cap the fees scheduled for next week.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

210

Glen H. Footman, 52, died after being shot 14 months ago in Mt Vernon. His father told Peter Hermann that police were "were very up front with us in saying that the chance of this ever being solved is practically nil."

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Bummer...

Local youth leader shot dead while walking his dog this morning. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Angelo Dangerfield.


In more news that many will find disappointing; Suite Ultralounge will be officially padlocked starting today.


One time Terrell Allen conspirator Andre Kirby was given a 15 year federal sentence on a gun violation.

What is this, 3rd grade?

Jean Marbella claims a Dixon juror gave another juror a new hairstyle in the deliberation room.

Dissing the jury...

Dixon defense: jury confused. Judge: not.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Dixon = Grim

The mayor had a "grim" expression on her face after the jury failed to deliver a verdict Tuesday

Beans and Dread:

A long-planned homeless center’s expansion got underway last week. Then, a Beans and Bread employee stabbed a client. | Baltimore City Paper
Charges were dropped today against city police officer accused of stealing money from a drug dealer
WA coroner reports that former Raven Tony Fein died of "acute opiate intoxication"

Oh, the suspense!

Will today be the day those jurors reach a verdict? Local celebutorney Warren Brown told Fox 45 he "suspects the Mayor will be convicted on at least one count"

Stay of eviction

Will the Mayor save Lakechia Rodriguez, a disabled woman who is facing eviction from her brooklyn homes apartment for drug charges that were later dropped?

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Brandon J. Benjamin, 22, shot in the face at 3100 McElderry St.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Plug tunin

Tune in to Slumlord Watch on WYPR's Midday with Dan Rodricks tomorrow from 1-2

No verdict for Dixon...yet

updates from the Dixon trial, says one juror, I need a smoke.

But I'm an ossifer!

Arthur C. Campbell, 39, was arrested after waving a gun outside of the Angel Inn in O'Donnell Heights, claiming to be a police officer; police found three unregistered, loaded handguns in his car.

Dang, bitches!

Police use pepper spray to break up a girl fight at Overlea HS

Two women were stabbed outside of Club International in West Baltimore, and two more claimed to be stabbed on Wellham St.

Three men were stabbed at around 2:30 this morning at the corner of Curley & Monument Streets

Dixon jurors say they're making "great progress"

Ugh, this law.
Disclaimer: This site offers links to local crime-related news stories, occasionally peppered with snarky commentary. It does not contain original-source reporting. This site usually can't tell you why Foxtrot was circling your block or why there were a bunch of cop cars at a given intersection. This site does not contain pictures of puppehs or kittehs or Levi Johnson in the shower. Etc etc etc etc, whatevs, I already bitched about this last week.

Hermann says a cop might lose his job over Del. Jon Cardin's dingbat boat proposal.

Jailed doctors

Two doctors jailed for leading a protest against insurance company talk about doing hard time in CB. Meanwhile, will the city finally cap parking ticket penalites????

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Police shoot robbery suspect

City police shoot a suspect after a car chase from the county goes into the city, WMAR reports the suspects are suspected in the murder of 52-year-old Brian Meise, killed in a Catonsville convenience-store robbery.

In Catonsville, a man carjacked and shot

A woman drove her car into the harbor at Fell's Point's Pier 5 and died

Gun-wielding road-rager arrested
on 95 inner loop

Who's your daddy?

daddy?NYTimes mag on DNA testing and the messy legalities of fatherhood

Dixon trial judge uses roastmaster skills, cookies to keep jury on task

"out of the thousands of drug addicts who either live in or flock to Baltimore (Black and impoverished) and the seemingly endless string of death that such a condition brings about, two white addicts are deserving of compassionate and humanized coverage, while the rest are consigned to irrelevance and anonymity."

Friday, November 20, 2009

Like father like son...

Black Guerrilla Family member Marlow Bates sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. If you may remember, his father, also named Marlow was a notorious Drug Kingpin in the 80's who is still serving out a life sentence in state prison.

And on the subject of Gangs...
Apparently Maryland has the Latin Kings nowadays, as 19 alleged members were indicted federally. From what I read, despite being a major MD gang the local Kings could not manage to actually kill anybody, try as they might.

In murder news;
Two more victims have been identified:
Carron Spruiel, 25, was the man murdered November 15 on Garrison Blvd.

Lykeisha Freeman, 35, was the woman found murdered in the vicinity of all the rapes on November 17 on 900 East Eager St.

Also in the news...
Police rescue a kidnapped 17 yr. old and possibly stopped a would be murder on Wenesday.

And finally...
Trouble in the suburbs, not even street wise New Yorkers are safe on the mean streets of Rodgers Forge.