April 25-30

The murder and attempted murder trial of Allen Samuel Gill, 23, of Abbott Court; Colby Madison, 21, of Roslyn Avenue; and Terrell Allen, 30, of East Fayette Street is scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 2 before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Gill and Allen on October 31, 2003 for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault and various handgun violations. Madison was indicted July 21, 2003. Court documents allege that on April 9, 2003 Gill, Allen and Madison shot two men, killing one and injuring the other, after picking the men up at the bus station and buying drugs from them. All three co-defendants are currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

A sentencing hearing for Monique Baldwin, 36, of the 500 Block of Louden Avenue, is scheduled for 3:00PM Monday, May 2, 2005 before Judge Kaye Allison, 451 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 N. Calvert St. On March 3, 2003 Baldwin pled guilty the to first-degree assault of Nicole Townes, 12 and the second-degree child abuse of Brenda Bailey, 11.

A sentencing hearing is also scheduled for the same time for Kenya Keene, 25, of the 400 block of Lyndhurst Street. Keene pled guilty to the reckless endangerment of Townes and the second-degree assault of Bailey. Various females participated in the February 28, 2004 beating of Townes and her sister Bailey. Monique Baldwin encouraged a group of women and juveniles to attack Townes and Bailey and those present kicked, punched and choked Townes. Keene struck Bailey several times and deliberately delayed obtaining medical treatment for Townes. When medics responded to the scene she told them Townes had suffered a diabetic episode. The misinformation and the delay in treatment resulted in a worsening of Townes' condition. First-degree assault carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. Second-degree child abuse carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Reckless endangerment carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Do You Want to be a Crime Blogger?

Do you have what it takes to be the Baltimore crime blogger? Do you:

• feel that news sources in Baltimore should do a better job of providing comprehensive and balanced coverage of Baltimore City's chronic crime problems?


• Have about a spare hour a day?


• read a lot of Baltimore news?


• Know basic html (or care enough to learn)?


• enjoy doing research and learning?


• have half-decent writing skills?

...then maybe you're the next Baltimore Crime Blogger!
As much as I, Chococat, enjoy crime blogging and find it meaningful, both I am my co-author Claire have paying jobs and families, and it just isn't possible for one of us to blog every single day... but to provide the complete coverage Bmore deserves, the site needs daily reporting. If you'd like to pitch in for a day, a week, or periodically, drop a line to chococatsanrio@yahoo.com.

April 23-25

The manslaughter trial of Justin Saul Jones, 29, of Bel Air, MD is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Paul A. Smith, Courthouse East, N. Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Jones September 9 of last year for automobile manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol. The indictment alleges that on May 30, 2004 Jones was driving a vehicle on interstate 895 in which his automobile struck a car killing Darius Jovan Brown, 12, who was a passenger. Jones is released on $75,000 bail.

Ronald Edward Johnson, Sr., 32, of Lindsey Road, pled guilty today to involuntary manslaughter for the murder of D'Koy Dancy, 14. Johnson faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 10 years. Judge Joseph P. McCurdy ordered a pre-sentence investigation and will sentence Johnson on June 24. On August 20, 2004 Johnson had observed D'Koy Dancy attempting to break into a storage shed in Johnson’s backyard. Johnson reportedly fired one gunshot from a second story bedroom, striking the victim in the back. Dancy was transported to University Hospital Shock Trauma Center where he was treated and later pronounced dead. Ronald Johnson, Sr. is released on $50,000 bail.

A fued led to a shooting in Dundalk.

Fourteen people were indicted on various conspiracy drug deal charges.

A diet doctor, Robert Keenan, was indicted for making E in his Fell's Point rowhouse.

Darvell Guest, 25 was fatally shot in a bar fight in Perryville.

A girl beat with a board and old ladies stealing from each other in the Blotter.

Justin "Jayou" Willard is being saught as a suspect in the attempted murder of Karl Cully in Annapolis. Also in Annapolis someone is breaking into yachts and stealing flat-screen TVs. And Hugo Whitaker Jr. got busted for defrauding the MIA.

The Crue (Motley, that is) has posted a $10,000 reward for clues in the target="_blank">disappearance of Trans-Am driving fan Tracey Gardiner-Testo.

April 22

Edgar West, charged with child abuse and sex offense, pled not guilty at his arraignment this morning. A jury trial was scheduled for June 30 of this year before Judge Allen L. Schwait.

April 19

The O'Malley-Curran administration is having a great week. Tragedy for the Griffin family of Annapolis turns in to time to shine for the office of top state's lawyer Joe Curran, who will be bringing a case before the Supreme Court. And his ripping son-in-law is also getting national exposure--O' Malley made Time magazine's Five Best Mayors list.
The family's enemies are even biting the dust: Former Police commish Norris has reportedly lost his job as a perfume salesman in Florida (?!), and Ehrlich is trailing in the polls in the imaginary race for governor.

Michael Phlelps' cautionary tale is saving young lives.

Details of the Iko inmate-suufocation lawsuit.

Hopkins will hold a memorial service for Chris Elser at 5 p.m. tonight in the Decker garden of Homewood campus.

In Ellicott City, 33-year-old Anthony Williams is on trial for the murder of Tamaria Hughes.

April 17-18

The murder trial of Tyrone Beane has been specially set for May 31, 2005 in Judge John Glynn's courtroom, 234 Mitchell Courthouse.

At a hearing today Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Rose Green, 47, of Richmond, VA, to 20-years in prison with all but 12 years suspended. Green pled guilty February 28 to second-degree murder. On March 24, 2003 the victim, Raymond Shifflett, 52, was found stabbed to death in the 1800 block of McHenry Street. Green gave a statement to police admitting the extent of her involvement in his death.

At a hearing today Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced George Holman, 60, of Dudley Avenue, to 30 years in prison, suspend all but 18 years. Holman pled guilty February 18 to second-degree murder. On April 18 of last year the victim, Devon Boston, 46, was found stabbed to death in the 1200 block of Greenmount Avenue. Holman and the victim got in an argument resulting in Holman stabbing Boston once in the chest.

Roland Park's latest lurking sex offender, Kenneth Barnes, has a bail review hearing scheduled today at 2 p.m. at the Wabash District Court. Barnes was arrested on April 14 by the Baltimore City Police Departmenton charges of failing to register as sex offender and trespassing on school grounds. So if you've ever been flashed in the Stony Run/ Roland Avenue area, go down with your camera and make an ID.

Reports the Sun:

A man convicted of sexually molesting a 9-year-old child in 1998 was arrested yesterday evening and charged with trespassing at Roland Park Elementary-Middle School, where he allegedly offered money to pupils, city police said. Kenneth Earl Barnes, 43, of the 200 block of W. Cold Spring Lane, was arrested about 7:25 p.m. by members of the Warrant Apprehension Task Force as he sat in a parked car in the 4400 block of N. Charles St., said Officer Troy Harris, a police department spokesman. Barnes was charged with failing to register as a sex offender, as well as trespassing at school property in the 5200 block of Roland Ave. He was alleged to have offered money to children there about 11 a.m., police said. Harris said the children refused the money and reported the incident to school officials. There was no physical contact with the children, Harris said. Barnes had registered as a convicted sex offender upon his release from prison but had not registered again after moving to his current address, Harris said.
-Richard Irwin

April 15-16

Tyrone Beane, 20, of Wharton Court, is scheduled for trial at 9:30 a.m. on Monday the 18th before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 North Calvert Street. Beane is charged with killing Taharka McCoy, an East Baltimore man, on January 17, 2002. Beane is currently being held in the Department of Corrections after being sentenced to 75-years in prison in an unrelated robbery and shooting.

Yesterday a Baltimore City Grand Jury officially indicted Donta M. Allen, 27, for the first-degree murder of Hopkins students Linda Trinh as well as first-degree burglary.

In the City Paper, a story about the RESTART program at the prison near Hagerstown, and, of course, the Murder Ink, which announces two murders last week, bringing the toll to 67.

Convicted child molester Kenneth Barnes was caught hanging around Roland Park public.

The Baltimore police are being sued for another $30 million... this time for alledgedly shooting 37-year-old Dexter Hill in the back.

April 14

It's a dangerous time to be a student.

Two students were grazed by gunfire at Bowie State.

A 14-year old high schooler stabbed an 18-year old near the Rotunda.

And police are cracking down on young drivers.

YEEhaw! A crazy lady led a car chase from Fell's Point to Ruxton to Carroll County yesterday.

April 13

The four teenagers who alledgedly shot Reginald Grey after an altercation at Hammerjacks pled not guilty today. "Ramon Ramirez, general manager of Hammerjacks, said he could not recall the fistfight. "We go through so many fights here," he said."

From PJ's office:

At a hearing today Judge Paul A. Smith sentenced Thomas Alston, III, 20, of the 1200 block of Sugarwood Circle, to 40-years in prison suspend all but 15-years, the first five without parole and five-years supervised probation. Alston pled guilty today to second-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. On May 2, 2004 in the 4300 block of Shamrock Road, Alston was at a party, and was asked to leave. He left, stating that he would be back in five minutes. Approximately five minutes later, Alston returned, and began shooting into the crowd. He shot and killed Jade Hall, 33. A second victim was shot in the buttocks area and a third victim was shot in the knee.

Why does Life-Like products keep catching on fire?

Ten years after her disappearance, there's no trace of Tracie Lynn Mosley (left).

Two men have been arrested for home-invastion-style robberies of old ladies.

April 12

Hurray for law-abiding citizens... the witness intimidation bill has passed!

A teen in a stolen car was shot by a Baltimore County officer.

A man and a woman have been injured indouble shooting in Northeast Baltimore.

A 30-year-old Catonsville man got 30 years for cocaine distribution.

April 11

Sixteen-year-old Roman Paige was shot in the head while playing basketball.

Kwesi Owens, 23, was also shot to death in West Baltimore over the weekend.

Aaron Bell, Derrick Davis, Xavier Lewis, and James Robinson are all scheduled before Judge Stewart, Room 215 Mitchell Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning for a Murder Arraignment.

The case of 17-year-old Asmar Holland was advance postponed on Friday at the request of defense counsel, John Deros. The new date is June 20. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Holland in February for two counts of first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on May 18, 2002 Holland shot and killed Joseph Harris, 16. Court documents further allege that on December 1, 2003 Holland shot and killed Earl Ross, 39, at his home in the 600 block of Bartlett Street.

DeAndre Whitehead, 20, has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. he'll cop to two counts of solicitation to commit witness tampering. Whitehead was accused of an 11-year-old girl and her mother who testified against him at the trial for the murder of Russell Peterson.

A woman serving a 26-month federal sentence for carjacking in Baltimore and Richmond is now testifying against her ex-boyfriend, Jaron Reevey.

WJZ is letting visitors to its Web site view the new police department flick, "Keep Talking (Snitching Bitches)!"

More woes in Annapolis: as the legistlative session winds down, the body of a 21-year-old midshipman was found outside of a dorm, apparently killed in a fall. Jay Michael Dixon was reportedly a junior physics major from Destrehan, La. "It was the second time in three years that a midshipman was found dead outside the dormitory after a fall." Weird!

The Tao Te Chuck did some ranting about the state of the local news.

April 9 - 10

Police are countering "Stop Snitching" with their own DVD. No word yet if there're cameos by MELO or Sonja Sohn.

Charles County arson trials will kick off June 14.

April 8

Maurice Blackwell has been granted a new trial.

Even more problems in the Juvenile Justice System... now they're short $16 million.

Allison Lamont Norman, 22, left, went on a shooting spree in Salisbury, killing two and wounding 4. He's being held on no bail status.

April 7

The best reason yet to pass the witness-intimidation bill: "Baltimore is too small."

In Anne Arundel County, two arsonists have been forced to pay restitution for setting Marley Elementary School on fire.

Robbery, arrests, theft in the blotter. Some heavy sentences handed out for drug dealing and firearm posession in the Digest.

Downy shore police are investigating a shooting near North Salisbury Elementary School. (Congrats on the Peabody, BAL!)

April 6

The trial of former police officer Gerald Goode will begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Mitchell Courthouse before Judge John Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Goode July 27, 2004 on a charges of third-degree sex offense and sexual child abuse of a minor under the age of 18. The incident allegedly occurred in 2003. Goode's been out on $25k worth of bail for the past eight months.

Three men have been arrested for the murder of Renard Jawon Graves.

The white cement truck that killed two men and fled the scene on the B-W Parkway was found in Jessup last night.

Newest Raven Samari Rolle has settled his assault charge with anger management classes, probation and a five-figure donation to help abused women.

Oh, the irony! I just had to take a break from crime blogging to call the police about some white guys in a fight in front of my house. The cops were on the scene in less than two minutes, which is simply amazing. Anyway good thing for me the witness inimidation bill seems to be coming together.

And speaking of, Charles Village residents are through playing nice with drunken and disruptive students, and Mary Pat Clarke and the Vice Squad are on the job.

As of now, declared the House of Delegates, it's illegal to secretly film your goodies in public. No comment on the wearing of x-ray spex or very shiny shoes.

Give it up already and quit boring me with this story! The Ehrlich is still going on about the slots thing.

An 11-year-old boy has been arrested for dealing heroin.

The City Paper's cover story this week is a strange tale of an officer dismissed (or not) for falsely stating that she saw a guy put drugs under a bush during a fake call. And five murders this week makes 65 for the year in the Murder Ink. Meanwhile, relatives of people in jail with mandatory sentences are fighting the law, and there's an update on the city's plan to put security cameras in high-crime areas.

A city police officer, Eric Spilman, has been changed with insurance fraud and faces 30 years.

And here's the Baltimore Messenger blotter, and the Dick Irwin special.

April 5

Teon Hall, charged with first-degree murder in the Ritz Cabaret mistaken-identity shooting of 32-year-old Craig Morris, pled not guilty at arraignment this morning. A jury trial date was scheduled for August 8 before Judge Alfred Nance.

And Coketa S. Diggins and Terrance A. Smith, charged with first-degree murder, also pled not guilty at arraignment this morning. A jury trial date was scheduled for July 11and will also be before Judge Nance.

Thought the story was over, but I was wrong... Kevin Clark's filed an appeal.

Two men were killed on the B-W parkway in a hit and run involving a white cement truck.

In Annapolis, legislators are trying to change the law to close what critics call a loophole that lets suspects out of jail while lawyers make pre-trial appeals. I think. Honestly I don't quite understand.

PG County's 43rd homicide victim of the year was 23-year-old Maurice Brown of Forestville. And here's some more PG County misdeeds.

In Easton, trial has begun for Harold Brown charged with stabbing his wife and stuffing her in the trunk, hours after he was released for violating a protective order.

Indentified victims, robbery and burglary in today's Blotter, and a police officer shot in the foot in the Metro Digest.

And according to this web site, BJ's Wholesale Club and the Hunt Valley mall are among places in Maryland haunted by murder victims. Creepy!

April 4

At a hearing today, Reginald Mickens, 43, of West Garrison Avenue, pled guilty to the involuntary manslaughter of Tammy Patterson, 42. Judge Paul A. Smith sentenced Mickens to ten years in prison. On August 20, 2004 Mickens was involved in a fight with his girlfriend, Tammy Patterson. The fight escalated and she was forced to climb out the window of a fourth floor apartment building located at 501 East Preston Street. She fell to the ground and died of multiple injuries from the fall.

This morning a Baltimore Circuit Court judge dismissed the lawsuit of former Police Commissioner Kevin Clark against the city and made him keep his severence pay. So there's the end of that story.

Twice this month, Maryland 911 operators have been caught sleeping on the job.

Two murder arraignments are scheduled for tomorrow: Teon Hall, 28, who was indicted Hall March 14 for first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Craig Morris, 32, in front of the Ritz Cabaret. Hall was also indicted for the attempted first-degree murder of a second victim who survived the shooting. And Coketa S. Diggins, 18, and Terrance A. Smith. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Diggins and Smith March 11 for first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Reshawn Myers, 19. Court documents allege Diggins shot and killed Myers January 20 in the 5700 block of Chinquapin Parkway, and it's alleged that Smith ordered Diggins to carry out the shooting.

An arrested attempted murderer, two non-fatal shootings and a teen shoplifter in the blotter.

If the suspicious shooting death of Michael Jones is ruled a homicide it'll be the first in Cecil County this year.

More charges have been filed in the Charles County arson case.

How Baltimorean! John Greeves went ape on a Peter Pan bus after the driver told him to put out his cigarette.

April 3

Crikey, there were THREE shooting deaths last night in Baltimore, and not much information about any of them.

Paul T. Holmes Jr., a Pennsylvanian, was busted for doing his heroin shopping in Baltimore.

Police blotters from Carroll and Anne Arundel county have plenty of theft. One curious item, "a 45-year-old Sykesville woman faces charges for allegedly leaving her 7-year-old daughter unattended in a car." I was amazed that this was illegal, and it turns out that the law in Maryland is that kids under the age of eight must be directly supervised at all times, and kids must be 14 before they're allowed to babysit. After eight, you can leave them wherever you want, I guess. Well, now I know, good thing I didn't get tossed in the can all those times I dashed into the dry cleaner's, eh?

April 2

An attempted escape at the Hickey School, a car chase that ended in a shooting and man shot during an arguement in PG County.

Relatives of Ifeanyi A. Iko, an inmate who was asphixiated at the Western Correctional Institution, have filed a $28 million suit.

Maryland's ballistic database system helped convict PG County's Robert Garner of the murder of Kelvin Braxton.

Officials will be working together to "put together a [police] performance enhancement plan that is more of a qualitative measure than quantitative" after accusations of arrest quotas in the department surfaced last week.

More on Howard County's first felony animal abuse conviction, aka The Case of Clyde the Cornholed Cat.

A police impersonator was arrested in Charles County.

Federal officials say a theft ring shook down local Marshall's stores for about $250k.

Nineteen-year-old Jayson R. Mitchell is accused of robbing stores in Elkton.

April 1

There's been a "police-involved shooting" tonight on Greenmount and 25th.

A sentencing hearing for Harold Singfield, 20, of Ensor Street, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Monday. A Baltimore City jury convicted Singfield February 11 of second-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and a handgun violation for the death of Wayne Fisher, 30. Says the State's Attoney's office:

"In the morning hours of May 13, 2003, in the 1500 block of Argyle Avenue, Singfield, Jr. was approached by the victim concerning a drug debt owed to the victim by Singfield, Jr. An argument ensued during which Singfield, Jr. withdrew a .380 caliber handgun and shot Fisher one time. Fisher then attempted to flee but fell to the ground. Singfield, Jr. then proceeded to straddle Fisher's prone body and shoot him five more times resulting in Fisher's death. Singfield, Jr. then ran from the scene. Witnesses positively identified Singfield, Jr. as the shooter. Additionally, during the course of his flight from the crime scene, Singfield, Jr. disposed of certain items of clothing in close proximity to the crime scene. These items were subsequently positively matched to Singfield, Jr. by way of DNA analysis. Singfield, Jr. fled Baltimore and was ultimately apprehended in Rock Hill, South Carolina, approximately one month after the murder."

In Ellicott City, the case of the guy who sodomized the family cat is drawing to a close; Steven Richard Schatz was found guilty of animal abuse and may get up to three years for his mistreatment of Clyde.

Two Maryland men were sentenced to life without parole for the execution-style slaying of a mother and daughter in Bighamton, New York.

The heroin addict who stabbed his mother to death in the walk-in fridge of the Subway got 20 years. That means he'll be eligible for parole in 10. (By the way, when I wrote some un-nice things about the Sun's reporting style I didn't mean you, Andrea Siegel! You're good goods!)

A stay of execution has been granted for Vernan Evans, Jr. The court has agreed to hear his appeal based on a January 2003 study by University of Maryland professor Raymond Paternoster that showed that blacks who killed whites were more likely to get the death penalty.

The arrest of "Fat Kenny," a mugged epileptic and a stolen Hyundai in the blotter.

In Pasadena, the murder trial of the suspected killers of Noah Jamahl Jones goes on.

Sentencing is scheduled for today at 2 p.m. for Aaron Morehead, 19. Morehead pled guilty to first-degree child abuse January 25. On August 21, 2004 Morehead beat his four-month old son, Nathan Morehead, causing a fractured skull.

In Montgomery County, a hostage situation was diffused after a man shot his wife and another woman.

Three New Hampshire rape suspects who posed as door-to-door salesmen were arrested in Aberdeen.

There'll be no bail for Donta Allen (the suspected killer of Linda Trinh).

A Baltimore City jury convicted Hugh Wade, 55, today of one "conspiracy to commit theft" count, 23 "counterfeit" counts and eight counts of identity fraud after approximately three hours of deliberation and two days of testimony. Judge Allen L. Schwait scheduled sentencing for June 1. Wade faces a maximum possible prison term of 285 years. Baltimore County Police Department Economic Crimes Unit executed a search and seizure warrant at Wade’s residence on April 25 of 2003. Police recovered multiple separate counterfeit checks in various stages of production and numerous personal identifications that had been previously reported lost or stolen. During the investigation it was discovered that these identifications were used to pass counterfeit checks in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Douglas Andrew Kukucka, accused of e-mailing threats to local officials, is on the lam in Harford County.

A former State Highway Administration employee has admitted to taking bribes... in one instance buying overpriced cans of "Whoop Ice" in exchange for pens.

In Bel Air, 28-year-old teacher John Zappola has been indicted for sexually abusing one of his students

March 31

Anne Arundel County prosecutors are persuing the death penalty for Alexander Watson Jr., who was charged with three murders in the 80's after he was linked to them using DNA-testing technology.

Theft, burglary, robberies, shootings, arrests in the blotter.

A five-year-old boy was hit with a stray bullet in the Southeastern district. Also, the death of 19-year-old Jesse Peay has been ruled a homicide.

March 30

I'll come out and say it: PG County rep Joe Vallario is a big fudgeclown for single-handedly blocking the witness intimidation bill. I hope anyone reading will give his office a call at (410) 841-3488, (301) 858-3488, or toll-free at 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3488 and ask him what this reasons are, because he won't even comment to the press (?!). I guess he doesn't care about the public as he's about to retire. Meanwhile, his home district remains a cesspool of violence. Here's his web site, if you care to know what sub-par schools he attended. Hope your PG County pals are happy, because the rest of us who are terrified to report our drug-dealing neighbors certainly are not. Jerk.

The murder trial of Martay Delvon Powell, 18, of Elmley Avenue, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Allen L. Schwait at 400 Mitchell Courthouse East on 110 N. Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Powell May 28 of last year for first-degree murder. Court documents allege Powell shot and killed Damon Martin in the 200 block of Collington Avenue on March 11, 2004.

At a hearing today, Victor Vanderheiden, 45, of South Bond Street pled guilty to the involuntary manslaughter of Langford Woodhouse, 49. Judge David Mitchell sentenced Vanderheiden to 10 years in prison, with all but two years suspended (if you're paying attention you'll note that's one year dude has to serve). On October 17, 2004 in the 900 block of North Broadway Street Vanderheiden, Woodhouse and some other friends, who were homeless, got into an altercation. Vanderheiden pushed Woodhouse into the water, where the victim drowned. An autopsy showed the victim had been heavily drinking and had a blood-alcohol level of .38.

Albert Mosley has filed a $40 million brutality suit against the city, claiming officer Bryan Kershaw attacked and paralyzied him while he was in a holding cell. Isn't it kind of bad news when your own lawyer refers to you as "a drunk?"

"Gee, rilly?" story of the day: apparently Frederick County's legacy as a KKK stronghold is making it difficult for the police to recruit minority applicants.

Do not miss this week's City Paper cover story about Baltimore's gunshot-wound survivors, a stunning photo essay by Jefferson Jackson Steele. When you live in this town and read and hear every day about the violence, it's easy to forget the human toll behind the numbers, and this piece poignantly brings eight of these victims to life.

And here's the link to the murder ink.

A man's been murdered in Randallstown... Eric Ronnell Keith, 20, was found shot to death last night. This is murder #11 for Baltimore County.

Anyone who's ever had to pay $63 in late fees for Happy Gilmore will be happy to hear that O'Malley's father-in-law and 46 other attorneys general have squeezed a $630,000 settlement out of Blockbuster for those deceptive "No Late Fees" ads.

Only day after the Hickey School settlement, there's now tales of abuse at the Baltimore Juvenile Justice Center and the Alfred D. Noyes Children's Center. Naked groin-punching, hey, they're kids, not liberated Iraqis!

March 29

Cleeetuusss! The University of Maryland Medical Center has misplaced a heckofalota OxyContin

The State's Attorney announced that last Friday a Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Akiba Matthews, 32, for two counts of possession and possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. If convicted on all counts, Matthews could face a maximum prison term of 40 years.

Ugh, I hate these stories... a two-month old in Laurel is in critical condition after being beaten, alledgedly by her mother.

Shoplifter Heather Calp is in a heap of trouble after dragging a police officer with her Saturn. She was last seen at the Joppa Road Giant.

After being denied a license in PA, first cousins Eleanor Amrhein and Donald Andrews got hitched in Maryland. This story also hit the wire and has been covered in about 100 sources.

This article about police book-cooking slips in a detail I haven't heard, and I can't find the source to verify but here it is anyway: "An audit in Baltimore found that police there underreported crime by 14.5 percent in 1999."

New commissioner Leonard Hamm's policy that gives police officers brownie points for seizing drugs, making arrests and issuing parking tickets is under fire. Observes police PR guy Matt Jablow, "the appearance of having a quota is very, very bad."

A lawsuit has been settled against the corporation that used to run the Hickey School (Baltimore County's juvenile "detention center"). Twnety-nine year old Amy Bibighaus was raped by a 15-year-old inmate, and then was charged with statutory rape after the incident. (Interestingly, the AP has picked up the story and it's gone nationwide. I can never predict what they'll go for.)

Attempted rape (which the Sun strangely calls a "rape try"), a guy shot in the legs and plenty of burglary in the blotter.

The governor pardoned six convicts yesterday, and has now pardoned a total of 76, which has got to be some kind of record.

Also in Annapolis, the house passed a bill that would make harming a fetus a crime. Yet somehow it doesn't confer "personhood or rights" on the fetus. Nor does it make fetus-harming an aggravating circumstance that would make the murder of the mother a death-penalty case. So how it'll actually be applied is a total mystery.

Here's more details about the Hugh Wade forgery case I mentioned yesterday. He sounds like quite the dramatic.

March 26-28

Baltimore County just experienced the 10th homicide of 2005. No suspects, no motive in shooting of Todd Daniel McCoy.

The counterfeit and forgery trial of Hugh Wade will continue tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Allen L. Schwait, 400 Mitchell Courthouse.

Some good news: the city drug overdose fatality rate is down 12 percent.

That had better be a real crackhead in your living room: Starting Friday, Howard County will fine residents $50 for false alarms.

BaltoCoPo are seeking two armed robbery suspects.

March 25

Quit making a "big deal" out of his DUI and other criminal activities said Aruban judge-puncher Sindey Ponson. He added, "Some of you guys [the press] want to live our life off the feild." Uh, non gracias to that. If you want to read more about our resident big fat drunken civic embarassment, here's something from the MLB site. (Rick Bowman/AP photo left)

Sophie Kerr prize award-winner Angela Haley has been arrested for marijuana possession.

A former U of M wrestler, Salvatore Aquia, was hit by a car during a road-rage incident.

Baltimore Police seem to have a real talent for arresting suspects fleeing from other states. Yesterday they nabbed DeWayne Lee Mackell, wanted in North Carolina for shooting two women.

And police in Camden, New Jersey, caught a fleeing Baltimore (alledged) murderer and coke dealer Vance White.

Six arrests have been made in the shooting death of Christopher Weaver, a Baltimorean pot peddler and business student at Hampton University in Virginia.

The bail review of Donta Allen is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. today at the Wabash Ave. District Court building. The Alpha Phis are breathing a sigh of relief. (Bizarre quote of the day: "The fact that she knew him is kind of disturbing," said junior Vijay Sudan. "I think I would have felt a little more comfortable if it was a more disconnected, random act.") Meanwhile, Hopkins hopes to have security cameras on its Homewood campus, in the Moument Street area and on Charles Street by June.

A disgruntled pizza shop employee in White Marsh has been charged with murder after stabbing store owner Amir Shahmaee in the neck.

According to a new policy, Baltimore County Police will no longer be allowed to sell guns.

The mother of murdered 15-year-old Lauren Zinsavage (left) is furious that her murderer will be eligible for parole in 7 1/2 years. (Note to WBAL, he got 15 years, not 10).

BTW, I spoke with the very helpful and friendly Mark Vernorelli of the Department of Corrections yesterday, who explained to me that in Maryland, prisoners convincted of a violent crime are eligible for parole after serving half of their time. Perps of non-violent crimes only have to serve one-fourth (!).

And speaking of non-violent crimes... two married Pikesville lawyers, Christie and Jonas Needleman, are accused of conspiracy to distribute OxyContin.

March 24

Theral Isadore Harris, 25, pled guilty to second-degree murder today before Judge Thomas J.S. Waxter, Jr. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with all but 15 years suspended. n the early morning hours of August 18, 2004 Harris and the victim, Lauren Zinsavage, 15, and other individuals were walking in the 3100 block of Gough Street in Highlandtown. Zinsavage followed Harris into an alley where witnesses heard one gunshot. She was found with one shot in the chest. The City Paper reported last August that they were fighting over a cell phone.

Milton K. Engle, 70, pled guilty to attempted first-degree murder today. He now faces a maximum prison term of 20 years and will be sentenced on May 23. On September 28, 2004 Engle hit his live-in girlfriend, Darlene Burke, 31, in the head repeatedly with a sledgehammer at their home in the 600 block of Savage Street. Ms. Burke suffered permanent brain damage and is now partially paralyzed and requires 24/7 medical care.

Donta Allen's bail review is scheduled for tomorrow at Wabash district court. Police say that he confessed to attempted robbery and assaulting Trinh soon after he was arrested but denies killing her.

Robbery, burglary, robbery in the blotter.

There's a certain criminal element that hangs out downtown... and the call themselves the Orioles. Anger management classes are apparently not having much effect on pitcher Sidney Ponson, who, after an 11-day stay in an Aruba jail for hitting a judge, showed up to practice with an injured hand from hitting somebody else. Meanwhile, another Oriole picher, Eric DuBose, was arrested for drunken driving in Florida.

Trial has been delayed until June for the three teenagers (Antonio Williamson, Percy Johnson and Sean Howard) charged with shooting students as they exited Thurgood Marshall High School in East Baltimore.

Plenty of robberies, shoplifting, drugs et al. in Laurel and PG County, and lots of crack in Annapolis.

A Frederick high school chemistry teacher, Donald Glen Wiggins Jr., 35, who taught Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, pleaded guilty Monday to molesting a 17-year-old student.

March 23

Found an article that might explain why two people have been shot in the head on Chinquapin Parkway this year... apparently it's the territory of the local Bloods. If you're not familiar, the Bloods were founded in 1972 in Compton as a counterpoint to the Crips. Both are black gangs, but have been known to be affiliated with other groups, such as MS-13 (usually affiliated with the Crips and currently the most violent gang in DC, if not the country).

Bloods= the color red and bright colors, and red team jerseys, the right side, Biggie and L'il Kim, graffiti with the letter "C' crossed out, also "OTM" (out tha mob or on tha move) and "MOB" (member of bloods).

Crips= color blue and dark colors, left side, Suge, Snoop and Dre, symbol of the pitchfork, GD (Gangster Disciples), graffiti with Star of David, 8 ball, letter B crossed out, LA sports team gear, affiliated with the Latin Kings (last I heard).
In both gang$, u$e of the dollar $ign as an 's' means they're $elling narcotic$.

A 27-year-old Cheesecake Factory employee, Donta Allen, has been arrested for the murder of Hopkins student Linda Trinh. Police held a press conference at 4 p.m. today. The Washington Post reports that police took a DNA sample from Allen a month ago, and were waiting for test results to come back before arresting him.

Arrests, muggings, blah blah in the blotter.

Murder Ink tally: Four this week, 55 this year. And here's last week's.

And the Keith Jennings sexual assault trial has been postponed to May 31.

Cumbersome bloomers and petticoats will be things of the past if Annapolis passes a bill fighting "upskirting" and "downblousing".

In Montgomery county, 19-year-old high schooler Jose Carrillo is accused of pistol-whipping two classmates with a BB gun (mmm... pistol whip...).

Also in MoCo, 27-year-old Ofni Gonzalez is accused of arson.

Kithric Pearly, wanted for murder in Orlando, Florida, was arrested in Baltimore by our intrepid police.

Kenyatta Costes, 19, was paid $1,630 by Baltimore City yesterday after being jailed for 163 days after she failed to show up to testify at a murder trial.

Leonard D. Hamm was quietly sworn in as Baltimore's police commissioner on Monday.

The "cameras-in-shopping-mall-parking-lots" bill was passed.

Rachel L. Riffee was found guilty of misdemeanor electronic harrassment after sending obscenity-laced missives to the brother of a murder victim.

BoCo police are investigating the shooting of Steven McGilton, who was shot by an officer in White Marsh after brandishing a lead pipe.

March 20-23

Back from yet another vacation, with another load from the State's Attorney. Justice never sleeps! I'll report this Baltimore Sun-style, aka copied almost verbatim from the press release...

Duane Garrett is scheduled for bail review this morning. On January 18, Garrett shot and killed Pierre Forrester, 23, as he was exiting his car. Forrester was shot several times in front of his residence on N. Central Avenue. Family members heard the gunshots, came outside and attempted to render aid to the victim. Two bullets were recovered from the front door of the next door neighbors' house.

The attempted first-degree murder trial of Antonio Williamson, 16, of the 700 block of Mello Court, Percy Johnson, 17, of the 10 block of Southeast Avenue, and Sean Howard, 17, of the 1500 block of East Fayette Street, was scheduled to begin this morning. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Williamson November 12, 2004, Johnson November 22, 2004 and Howard December 1, 2004 with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and handgun violations. Court documents allege that Williamson shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School at 5700 Moravia Drive. Williamson is currently being held on a no bail status at the Baltimore City Jail.

Antoine Adams and Richard Damon Jr. pled not guilty yesterday. This was the pair accused of robbing and murdering Penelope Sharpe-Medina, Theresa Moore, Michael Mick and Justin Gaglione.

The sex offense trial of Baltimore Police Officer Keith Alexander Jennings, 37, of the 1000 block of Billie Holliday Court, was scheduled to begin this morning before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy at the Calvert Street courthouse. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Jennings more than a year ago for first-degree sex offense, kidnapping, false imprisonment and misconduct in office. Court documents allege that in the early evening of January 15, 2004, Officer Jennings, while on duty, kidnapped and sexually assaulted an 18-year old woman. On February 26 of last year, Jennings was released on $250,000 bail.

On Monday, Michelle McKnight, 36, of the 5800 block of The Alameda, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. McKnight faces a maximum penalty of ten years in the can when Judge Joseph McCurdy sentences her on May 16. On May 30 of last year McKnight stabbed her husband, Thomas McKnight, while inside their home. McKnight remains held at the Baltimore City Detention Center on a no-bail status.

On Tuesday the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Ryan Jason Conaway Lamana, 27, of Lutherville for automobile manslaughter in connection with the death of Chardan Lorenzo Johnson, 18. The indictment also charges Lamana with driving under the influence of alcohol. On October 26 of 2003, in the 4200 block of Frederick Avenue, Lamana's automobile struck a vehicle driven by Johnson.

At a hearing last Thursday the 17th, Judge Wanda K. Heard sentenced Mark A. Batts, 36, to life in prison plus 20 years, with the sentences to run consecutively (in Maryland, "life" is defined as 15 years, which in some parts of the city is about accurate.) A Baltimore City jury convicted Batts December 23, 2004 of first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence for the murder of Stephen Francois, 41. On March 29 of 2002, Batts laid in wait for Francois in the 3800 block of Fords Lane and shot him to death. Batts and Francois had argued that week over a woman.

Also on the 17th, Kendall Jones, 29, of West Lafayette Avenue, got 50 years in prison after being convicted last month of first-degree assault, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and reckless endangerment. Jones got 25 years for the assault count, 20 years for the handgun count and five years for the reckless endangerment count with the sentences to run consecutively. On July 14, 2003, Jones chased a group of women and children inside of a house in the 500 block of Half Mile Court, shooting at them. Fortunately, no one was injured but the house.

March 19th

Lots of crime! Not enough time!

A White Marsh woman left for a concert on March 6th and never arrived. She was last seen southbound near the harbor tunnel.


Edgar West, Jr. has been charged with molesting his 2 foster children and his own daughter for years. He denies the charges. The Sun reports that "Attorney Mitchell Y. Mirviss, who is monitoring the state's compliance with a 16-year-old federal consent decree from a lawsuit on behalf of the city's foster children, said children being sent to abusive foster homes has been a longstanding problem."

Disgruntled ex-employee goes homicidal in an Owings Mills pizza shop.

A man is found fatally shot on Chinquapin Parkway in Northeast Baltimore.

Elsewhere:

In Rockville, an HIV-positive man was sentenced to 66 years in prison for raping a 16 year old and a 14 year old. Nice guy--not only is he a pedophile and a rapist, but he knew he had HIV when he did it! 66 years wasn't enough.

March 16

Yesterday Norman Hock III pled guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal automobile accident. He faces a maximum of 5 years in prison when sentenced May 10. Makes you wonder how much he would have gotten for the DUI...

Glad to see arrests have been made in the shooting of 18-year-old Reginald Gray and his 16-year-old friend.

But there's still more dead black teenagers in the Ink.

Melissa Harton, a 25-year-old Loyola doctoral student (studying clincal psych, no less) is charged with strangling her drinking buddy Natasha Bacchus of Burtonsville and dumping her body in front of the Dorsey pool building. I like the expert quote: "Wow ... strangling someone takes a level of emotion that shooting a gun doesn't."

Fleeing North Carolinian murder suspect DeWayne Mackell was arrested in our lovely 'burg yesterday.

The sex offense trial of Donald Tymous, 48, of the 30 block of S. Calverton Road, is scheduled to begin today before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy at the Courthouse East on Calvert. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Tymous August 4 for second, third and fourth-degree sex offense, perverted practice and second-degree assault. Court documents allege Tymous had sexual contact with "an adult male who has the mental ability of a child" between January 2003 and May 2003. Ew.

In other a-hole boyfriend news,

Juan Pablo Navarro Juarez got 33 years followed by deportation to Mexico for beating his (then) 17-year-old girlfriend Shannon Pierre-Jerome into a coma with a piece of a bed frame. He punctured her brain, then bitched about getting hit with a flashlight when he was arrested. Here's hoping he gets a thorough ass-reaming every remaining day of his miserable life, and then a few in hell.

And police found the body of dancer Emily Cagal (right) buried in the woods in Upper Marlboro. Her ex-boyfriend and his roommate are under arrest for the murder. Don't you love how JZ uses photographs of a television set on their page? Too cheap for a scanner?

What's with Annapolis? Is William Kennedy Smith's boat docked down there? Reported rapes have increased an incredible 31.5 percent this year! Also this week a guy got stabbed at a birthday party, the KFC got robbed and a woman got hit in the neck with a paintball.

March 14-15

Returning from vacation, I see I haven't missed much... let's open the inbox and see what the State's Attorney has been up to..

Well, the Grand Jury indicted Teon Hall, 28, of 243 Admiral Drive, Annapolis, Maryland for first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Craig Morris, 32. Hall was also indicted for attempted first-degree murder of Steven Kendall, 21, who survived his injuries. This was the case of mistaken identity in front of the Ritz Cabaret, as I recall. Teon will be arraigned April 5.

The trial of Norman Hock III will start tomorrow. He's an 18-year old indicted for automobile manslaughter and leaving the scene of the accident that killed 15-year-old Joshua Naparstek. This'll be before Judge Joseph McCurdy at the courthouse east on Calvert Street.

Bryant Thompson, 20, is being arraigned today. He was indicted last month for first-degree murder for shooting Damon Lamont Brooks in his apartment.

And Antoine Adams, 32, was indicted in connection with the shooting death and armed robbery of Penelope Sharpe-Medina, 43. Last month the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Adams and a co-defendant, Richard Damon, for the double homicide of Theresa Moore, 51, and Michael Mick, 40, on January 20, 2005. Adams and Damon were also indicted for first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy for the shooting death of Justin Michael Gaglione, 29, on January 14 in the 300 block of E. 20th street. Adams is being held on a no bail status. An arraignment for all four murders is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22 in the courtroom of Honorable Lynn K. Stewart, 215 Clarence Mitchell Courthouse.

And the first and second-degree assault trial of Baltimore City police officer Hadyn D. Gross, 24, was scheduled to begin yesterday. Says the state, "The indictment stems from a verbal confrontation between Gross and the victim, Peter Bell, that occurred on October 10, 2004 in front of the Speak-Easy bar located in the 1000 block of Linwood Avenue."

Also scheduled to start yesterday was the murder trial of Asmar Rashad Holland, 17. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Holland last month for two counts of first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on May 18, 2002 Holland shot and killed Joseph Harris, 16. Court documents further allege that on December 1, 2003 Holland shot and killed
Earl Ross, 39, at his home in the 600 block of Bartlett Street.

I guess everyone's heard by now that Brian Nichols of the Atlanta courthouse freakout is from Baltimore.

Depressing stat of the day: one in five Black men in Baltimore are in jail right now, and those three hots and a cot are costing the city $22k a prisoner a year.

New Dept. of Homeland Security immigration laws are bring used to arrest Baltimore members of a South American street gang.

Arrest, theft, robbery in the blotter.

Attention carjackers and stick-up artists... Towson Town Center won't have security cameras in the parking garage until at least December. Easy pickin's.

A deputy from the sewage treatment plant shot up the place.

A Bel Air man, Paul Neumyer, has pled guilty to assaulting a 15-year-old he met on the Internet. Okay, even at 15, wouldn't you have been a little suspicious of a Secret Service agent demanding a blowjob?

March 10-14

In a most excellent investigative piece, City Paper's Stephen Janis asks this week: Could it be that Baltimore's crime problem is related to the lead-paint epidemic? Could it be that lead in the drinking fountains at Baltimore City schools created a generation of brain-damaged, aggressive children? And if, so, what do we do about it now?

We're up to 48 murders in the city, including a man who was strangled next to the Ravens' stadium last month whose death was only recently reclassified by the cororner.

March 8-9

The much-needed witness-intimidation bill is being held up by PG county legislator Josheph Vallario (left). When asked about his vote, Vallario explained, "YALL THINK YALL GOT SUGE AND MELO BUT WE GOING KILL EVRYLAST BITCHASS POP SNITCHIN NIGGANOWHATIMSAYN."*

Is 38 years enough for throwing acid in someone's face?

Is loving someone of the same sex a crime? The legislature is tring to figure it out.

* my mother insists that I label this clearly as satire

March 6-7

The sex abuse trial of Darryl Purefoy, 34, of the 9100 block of Liberty Road in Randallstown, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.tomorrow before Allen L. Schwait at the Mitchell Courthouse on Calvert Street. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Purefoy December 6, 2004 on more than 100 counts of sexual child abuse and other counts. Why this story hasn't been picked up by local news I don't know, it seems right up JZ's lurid little alley...

Three officers have been dismissed and two more have been punished as a reault of the prison bus strangling of Philip Parker. And the state is seeking the death penalty for strangler Kevin Johns, who was in jail for choking his uncle with a belt, trying to saw his head off and leaving him in a closet.

There'll be one more criminal in town when wife-beater Samari Rolle joins the Ravens. And there's currently one less as Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson is being detained in Aruba for hitting a judge in the face.

A $2,000 reward is being offered for leads in the shooting of two teenagers in Landsdowne Feb. 22.

In Frederick County cops nabbed some Brooklyn buttleggers.

March 5

The Sun has more details about Dundalk Murder Mom Denise Sims.

Crooked currency trader and former Mt. Washington resident John Rusnack (who lost $691 million of AIB/Allfirst's money) says that being in jail makes him feel "20 years younger."

"Only" one murder last week in the city-- 18-year-old Reginald Gray. But there was still an accidental shooting, a justifiable homicide, and a guy stabbed by someone named "Peaches."

Bmore's organized crime division is not impressed that 50 Cent's penned a song that, they say, touts Baltimore as a great place to deal heroin.

Interesting article from Toledo about the Catholic church's secrecy policies... it portrays the Baltimore archdiocese as the most open and proactive in reaching out to victims of sex abuse. Go Keeler. Baltimore's Catholic church has paid out $4.1 million to victims, which sounds shocking until you note that the Church has now paid $840 million to victims and $139.6 million to attorneys. According to the church, 4,392 priests have been accused of molesting minors in 10,667 cases between 1950 and 2002.

March 4

Way to go, Kima and McNulty ... Easy, Boobie, Hawkeye and a whole lot of other guys and girls (30 in total) were indicted for participating in a heroin distribution ring in Park Heights. The indictments were sealed until law enforcement officers executed arrest warrants on the defendants this week. Search warrants were executed in Baltimore City and Baltimore County that netted raw heroin, 32 guns, approximately 1400 gel capsules of heroin packaged for street-level sale and more than $200,000 in cash. The indictments are the result of an eight-month joint investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement partners, including the DEA, Baltimore Police Department Organized Crime Division, Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and the Baltimore County Police Department. Notes the State's Attorney's Office, "Many of the defendants are facing significant, mandatory, state sentencing penalties." PoPos 30, Garrett Bailey, Shawn Barnes, Tim Bates, Marlon G. Bell, Boobie, Danbrell T. Brown, Randolph H. Carter, Harry Cokley, Paul Cooper, Marc Crandell aka Hawkeye, Easy, Kenneth Farrington, Lenny Hess, Lamont Johnson, Taavaon C. Johnson, Delandies Lilly, Jr., Louie Livingston, Austin Mabbott, William M. Manns, Antoine K. Rich, Sean A. Smith, Anett J. Snyder, Bill St. John, Kevin K. Thompson, Hassan R. Tucker, Germaine V. Wallace, Bryant A. Warren, Sharma Williams, and Terry L. Williams, zero.

Traquan Johnson, 25, got 10 years for robbing banks in Owings Mills and PA.

Anthony A. Brown got life without parole yesterday for killing city police detective Thomas Newman. His accomplices also got life. The motive for the killing, says prosectuers, was revenge for testifying against Saunders' half-brother, Andre Travers, who was convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

A 26-year-old man was shot at 3:30 a.m. on the 1st in PG County, and police apparently have no leads whatsoever.

Stolen baby food, a rammed cop car and a 14-year-old JC Penney's shoplifter in the blotter.

China's Human Rights Report on the U.S., Baltimore's rising murder rate deprives its citizens of basic life, liberty and security of person.

March 3

The cameraman of the infamous "Stop Snitching" video is doing his part for the cause ... his work on the DVD was apparently so compelling, witnesses woud be a waste of time. Not only did he list his name in the credits, he appeared on screen threatening people who might consider interfering with his drug business and then mocked people who don't sell drugs for a living. And then there's his house full of white stuff and the gel-cap-making machine. Ah, sweet irony, the snitch es tu.

Ehrlich BFF Al Redmer revealed during a subcommittee meeting that pro-rumermonger Joe Steffan's computer is currently under lock and key at the mayor's father-in-law's office on St. Paul Street.

Tie down your lawn chairs, kids... meth is spreading east.

Meanwhile, in the suburbs...
Dundalk murder mom Denise M. Lechner's parenting skills were well known to social services, a spokeswoman said yesterday.

Hours after Jessup's month-long lockdown was lifted, an inmate got shanked by a piece of a light fixture.

White Marsh gets this month's Wes Craven award for the most seemingly bucolic suburb where horrible things happen (sorry, Anne Arundel County): A Nigerian immigrant was found shot to death in a suburban subdivision close to the mall.

March 1-2

The conditions at Central Booking are being investigated by the state, and snow delayed Jessamy's scheduled appearance ata hearing on witness intimidation.

The drug kingpin trial of William Nicholson, 27, of the 100 block of Boxthorn Road, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday before Judge Albert Matricciani, 330 Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert St. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Nicholson on July 31, 2003 on kingpin and conspiracy narcotic counts. A "kingpin" is defined as a person who allegedly was part of a drug conspiracy in which he/she was the manager, organizer, supervisor, or financier of narcotics distribution. Court documents allege Nicholson supplied at least three high-volume dealers in the Baltimore City metro area with large quantities of cocaine. He faces a maximum prison term of 40 years if convicted.

It's been a year since the murder of Hopkins student and SC native Chris Elser, and police have filed the case under "cold."

The trial of Desmond Dickey is also scheduled to begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at the Mitchell Courthouse on Calvert. Dickey is charged with two seprate murders committed while he was on parole. A Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Dickey December 2001 for the August 12, 2001 murder of Anthony Carlest in the 400 block of North Pulaski Street, and he was indicted on June 7, 2002 for separate first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery with a deadly weapon and conspiracy charges in connection with the murder of Alexander Samuel Logan, 26, whose body was found on November 27, 2001, in the 2200 block of Roslyn Avenue.

And speaking of 2001 murders, 34-year-old Timothy Hawkins just got 30 years for one after DNA linked him to a cold case.

Good lord, it's another 3-year-old murdered by his mom, a beaten 12-year-old, a dead body in White Marsh, and a nieghbor who knew about the imprisoned Easton wife all on lurid-ass WJZ.

A Baltimore radio talk show host was surprised to get a letter of apology from a former aide to Jim Jones (Jones was the cult leader who, with his wife Marcie, compelled 908 cultists in Guyana in 1978 to drink cyanide-laced Kool Aid).

How are things in Annapolis? Well, one lucky murderer got his drug charges dropped, and a teenager is being charged with assault for chucking a snowball.

This councilman seems well-intentioned, but do we really need cameras at every mall?

February 26-28

Lots of nastiness in southern Maryland: a man stabbed in the torso at the Cancun Cantina, a man shot during a mugging that started with the bumming of a cigarette, drug busts and a lady mugged in the parking lot of the Dollar store.

Assault and robbery with a side order of mysterious shootings in the blotter.

"Couldn't they have shot his leg or something?" asks a mom whose 20-year-old son was killed by police last December.

How is Toon Towne Center planning to improve security? Plans are "under review" and things are "being considered." Says the mall VP of security, "the point is that people see enhancements being made and feel comfortable with what we're doing." You have to respect the honesty, I suppose.

What do baby formula, a snowplow and a church safe have in common? Items sniped in Carroll County this weekend, of course.

Horrifyingly depressing story of the week: A transgendered inmate, Dee Harmer, whose rape behind bars led to a new liability standard for prison officials is now blind and bedridden and has been sent home to die of AIDS.

Wait, I spoke too soon, a man is charged with imprisoning his wife for six years and starving her to death in Elkton.

A Maryland snowboarding teenager has been charged with reckless endangerment in Jackson Hole, WY after colliding with a skiier and killing her.

Another story of a hit-and-run driver... what are they thinking?

A woman in Silver Spring got 17 years for enslaving and abusing the help.

The trial of a Rockville (alledged) killer nurse, charged in the deaths of five patients at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, was delayed due to weather.

February 25

In White Marsh, a 15-year-old did $900,000 worth of damage when he set an apartment building on fire.

Also in White Marsh, a man got 21 3/4 years for party powder.

A death warrant has been signed for a guy who murdered a Pikesville couple in a motel 23 years ago.

Sixteen-year-old William Alson, shot in Landsdowne, has been released from the hospital. His 14-year-old friend is still there.

Muggings and cafeteria fights in Annapolis.

February 24

From the State's Attorney's Office: Just before jury selection was to begin in the murder trial of Darren Johnson, 22, of the 2800 block of Plainfield Road, Johnson pled guilty to second-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. On April 4, 2004 Johnson and Calvin McCrea, 20, shot Robert Jenkins, Jr., 29, to death in the 1800 block of Dover Street. McCrea was involved in an altercation with a female on Dover Street and Jenkins attempted to intervene. Judge Kaye Allison sentenced Johnson to a total of 50 years in prison: 30 years for the murder count and 20 years for the handgun count with the terms to run consecutively. McCrea pled guilty Tuesday, February 22 to two counts of first-degree assault. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced McCrea to 15 years in prison,with all but six years in prison.

Yesterday afternoon Fatrina Malika Holloway, 16, of Park Heights Avenue, pled guilty to manslaughter. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Holloway to ten years in prison will all but four years suspended. On October 15, 2003 Holloway and the victim, Natalie Trent, 24, were involved in a fight in which Trent was hitting Holloway with a stick. Holloway stabbed Trent to death following that altercation in the 3000 block of Thorndale Avenue.

Criminal profiling is apprently not the forte of the Towson cops: a second rape in a week has Towson coeds on the alert for a medium-sized white man, or maybe a black man, or pssibly a Hispanic man, who may be college-aged or not.

Camille Bivins got six years for beating her toddler to death. Her boyfriend, Timothy Horne, saw his charges dismissed on a technicality.

In better news, yesterday's Amber Alert that had drivers looking for one Joseph Warren with a nine-month-old baby in his pickup truck turned out to be the result of a false statement by the babymomma (who's now under arrest).

Bullet-catching boy bugger Maurice Blackwell wants a new trial. And by the way Michael Jackson now has a jury, mostly women.

Drunken diver Micahel Phelps will ahve to talk to students in Wicomico County about the error of his beer-swilling, Escalade-driving ways.

State of the News

I wonder if crime reporting in this town has changed, or if I'm just starting to pay more attention. Probably a little bit of both. The bext source of in-depth reporting is anything in-depth by the City Paper, particularly by Anna Ditkoff. The problem is that the CP only does those types of stories about once a month (understandably). If you want to know crime dirt while it's fresh, WJZ definately dishes it out the best. Mary Bubala did a great report last night about the pant-stealing mall murderers, and in the most fabulous orange coat. The local papers like the Messenger and Towson Times can be good for the robberies and burglaries, but finding out that stuff a week after it happened is not particularly useful. The Sun earns about a C-, not doing much more but making a few calls after getting a press release from the State's Attorney. They can't even seem someone at the courthouse regularly. Worst source of news: channel 11, (WBAL), which will actually, literally, during the news, report on television shows. Fox is in its own little world, namely Timonium, and hustles through local news to get to the national "theme" stories like feeding tubes, taxes and the president talking somewhere to somebody. Then the second half of the show is sports and editorials by that preening Ralph-Reedish Mark Hyman guy, who seems scarred for life from being teased about his last name on the playground.

Turns out that the brother of one of the gunmen, as well as the second gunman, in the Towson Mall shooting had been involved in a robbery the previous day in Overlea.

So, let's get this straight: Lavar Clark and two of his best buds go to Overlea, and at gunpoint, steal 97 bucks and a CD player from some guy.... and then demand his PANTS. The next day, Javon Clark and John Kennedy (!!) decide "Hey, that went pretty well! Now let's go shoot some old guy at the mall!"

Boy, I'd love to meet their parents.

In legal news, a judge rejected gunshot residue evidence from the city's only gunshot analyst. This ruling, if it stands, will open up hundreds of trials for appeal. A quick Google search for cases where Harant's testimony figured importantly include the 2002 murder of Det. Thomas Newman by Jovan House, a capital case, and the conviction and life imprisonment of Jermaine Blackwell for the shooting of James Randolph in 2003.

February 23

Two murders last week bring this year's death toll to 44.

February 22nd

Courts are back from vacation so suddenly there's a ton of news..

A-hole child abuser of the week (so far) is 24-year old Scott Cromwell, who was sentenced to to 25 years in prison, with all but nine years suspended, for the assault of a three-year old child. On March 14, 2003, while Cromwell was caring for a three year-old at a home in the 6600 block of Snowberry Court when medics responded to an unresponsive child call. The child was found to be suffering from severe brain injury-- his brain was swollen with internal bleeding and there was a giant bruise on his forehead. The child suffered permanent paralysis as a result of the incident.

A second man has been arrested in the murder of Robert Gail of New Carrolton.

A judge's ruling on the definition of gunshot residue evidence has the potential to derail hundreds of cases in Baltimore city.

Thefts and a murder arrest in the blotter.

On Friday a Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Antoine Adams, 32, of Patterson Park Avenue, and Richard A. Damon, Jr., 35, of the 500 block of Force Road, on 32 counts realted to their robbery-and-murder spree last month. Court documents allege that Adams and Damon shot and killed Theresa Moore, 51, and Michael Mick, 40, inside a house in the 800 Block of Bradford Street on January 20. Adams and Damon were also indicted for first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy for the shooting death of Justin Michael Gaglione, 29, January 14 in the 300 block of East 20th Street. Both defendants are being held on a no bail status. An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22.

A Hagerstown man has been arrested for raping two teenagers.

A pair of guys who were stopped for speeding on 95 who had the body of a man they'd beaten to death stuffed in the trunk got some mighty light-sounding sentences at a hearing today. Alberto Sanchez, 29, and Armando Rosales, 35, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and accessory to murder, respectively. Sanchez got 4 1/2 years in prison and Rosales got three.

Two boys were shot in Landsdowne this morning. The gunman remains at large.

A bail hearing is set for today for Teon Hall, the Annapolis man charged in the Ritz Cabaret shooting. According to WBAL (which seems to dish dirt way better than WJZ):

The club's former owner was convicted in 2002 of laundering money and hiring illegal immigrants, mostly Hungarians, as dancers. The club now advertises as "The New Ritz Cabaret" and bills itself as an "upscale gentlemen's club."

Personally, I always liked the Ritz. And I never saw any Hungarians there. I can recognize a Hungarian from a mile away, especially naked.

[UPDATE: Hall was given "no bail" status.]

And lucky for all of us consumerist bastards, Towson Town Center is "reviewing its security." They offer no specifics, of course. I guess they have to look like they're doing something.

And just for shits and grins, check out O'Malley's 2000 plan to drastically reduce crime in Baltimore. Ed Norris, we hardly knew ye. But man, did you have a hairy back.

A choirboy-loving perv who was apparently unsucessfully treated at Hopkins for his predilictions is dead at age 87.

Another arrest has been made in the Annaoplis Noah Jamal Jones murder case.

The City Paper covers the muder of jazz musician Lydell Honeyblue.

Still more about the prison bus murder. Newsfuckingflash, the prisoners shouldn't have been seated next to each other.

Baltimore city is trying to set up cameras to nab illegal dumpers... who for some reason think it's easier to haul a sofa to the park than call 311 or the Salvation Army.

If you're a cop looking for drugs, knocking and immediately barging your ass in is perfectly fine in Hagerstown.

February 19-21

A man was fatally shot last night in Southeast Baltimore.

An employee of the Dundalk In And Out store is in shock trauma after being shot by robbers.

Elsewhere,
Two 18-year-olds from Middle River have been arrested for murdering St. Paul's Dean of Faculty in the parking lot of Towsontown Center.

Two armed robbers stole cell phones and an office safe at Comcast.

The FBI says that the rate of bank robberies in Maryland has hit a new high, more than double the rate of the second most bank-robbed city, L.A.