UPDATE: John Alexander Wagner, 34, and Lavelva Merritt, 24, were arrested for Pitcairn's murder. Unshockingly, both have extensive criminal histories.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Hopkins Cancer Researcher Killed in CV Robbery
23-year-old Stephen Pitcairn was stabbed to death last night in Charles Village while walking home from the train station; died in the gutter holding a stranger's hand.
UPDATE: John Alexander Wagner, 34, and Lavelva Merritt, 24, were arrested for Pitcairn's murder. Unshockingly, both have extensive criminal histories.
UPDATE: John Alexander Wagner, 34, and Lavelva Merritt, 24, were arrested for Pitcairn's murder. Unshockingly, both have extensive criminal histories.
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8 comments:
That must make Stephen Pitcairn at least the third Hopkins-affiliate to be murdered in the past what, six years in Charles Village? Chris Elser, Linda Trinh and now this poor fellow.
Charles Village remains a very dangerous place, with persistent and serious street crime.
Such a neat neighborhood, but such a dangerous neighborhood. The people that killed him probably should've still been in jail for their other crimes.
Very, very sad to read about this. It is unfortunate that it takes the death of such promising young people to stimulate change - but I hope to God that this death does stimulate change. This city seems like such a depressing wreck at times, and yet wonderful young people like Stephen keep on giving it a chance. This city needs to step up and show that it deserves the confidence of such young people.
It sounds like this poor guy was walking home from Penn Station at 11 PM while talking on his cell phone. Very bad idea. I am NOT in any way trying to blame the victim (in a civilized society people aren't murdered because they walk home from the train station at night) but that's not an area of town you should be walking through then. Talking on your phone also advertises the fact that you aren't paying attention to your surroundings.
BTW, this is why I took such glee in the Hopkins Samurai's knifework. This city is full of animals who have no respect for the law, or the lives of innocent people. Do-gooders like Dan Rodricks would like to believe that these thugs simply need more opportunities and another second chance, but far too many of them will never respect anything other than force. Our legal system has proven itself to be hopelessly impotent, so an armed law-abiding citizen is often the only reliable way to take these things off the street.
Gotta love the legal system in
Baltimore! In December, 2008, Lavelva gets 11 years, with all but 4 months (time served) suspended. In May, 2010, she gets sentenced to the remaining time (10 years 4 months) for a probation violation, but only serves 40 days (time served at time of sentencing). When a 24 year old can rack up over 20 years of prison sentences and be on the street, does anyone think they are actually afraid of the criminal justice system?
Anyone talking on a cell phone and walking down the street is a target. It doesn't matter where you are in the city or the time of day. A distractied kid with a $400Iphone is easy money. I'm not blaming the victim, I just want people to know that they should always walk in groups and never talk on your cell phone while walking.
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