>10 Years for Murder of Marine

From the SAO, pic of defendants Crosby and Ammenhauser at right:

A jury convicted Maurice Crosby, 20, of the 5200 block of Ready Avenue of involuntary manslaughter on Friday, and acquitted him of more serious first-degree murder charges and assaults on other victims in the altercation that led to the fatal stabbing of Marine Reservist Michael Simms on June 10, 2007. The maximum allowable sentence for involuntary manslaughter is 10-years in prison.

The jury deliberated about 8-hours after several days of testimony in a trial this week before the Honorable Paul Smith. Sentencing is scheduled for February 3, 2009 before Judge Smith. The defendant testified in his own defense.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Crosby July 16, 2007 for first-degree murder and multiple deadly weapons counts and assaults on 3 other surviving victims following an altercation June 10, 2007 in the unit block of S. Chapel Street. Michael Simms, 19, a Marine Reservist was fatally stabbed and later died at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

A co-defendant, Erica Ammenhauser, 21, of the 200 block of Durham Street pled guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree assault June 10, 2008. Under terms of the plea agreement, announced in open court, she was required to testify truthfully, if called, in the murder trial of Maurice Crosby. She was not called as a witness by the State in Crosby’s trial this week.

Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Phelps prosecuted this case.

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Ammenhauser will serve seven years. She had originally been charged with 1st-degree murder.

... in other news, Three people shot last night; a man shot in the face at Bel Air and Hamilton, and on Marble Hall Rd "One was shot in the groing, the other in teh leg."

One a-hole arrested for the kidnapping and robbery of the U of M medical student

is 10 years too long for slinging crack?

More trouble at York Rd. Plaza-- carjacking on Wednesday, copious puking Friday

Superbad

#179, Dontay Monroe, was "the baddest of the bad"

A mere six shootings this week, mapped by Spotcrime

Brothel case moved to circuit court (19 customers a day?!?!)

Remember that crazy HarfCo melee, where a crazed mob left a man in a wheelchair? An Edgewood teen, Shamere Germany, was convicted of 1st-degree assault.

Vocab word of the day: Espantoon

There's something you don't hear very often: "Parents applaud school's safety response"

What the?! Catholic priest fathers test-tube triplets, is accused of molesting two of them

More on Christopher Clarke

Christopher Clarke's killers got 25 and 5 years, respectively. Here's an excerpt from an article by Jacques Kelly that appeared in the Sun in March of last year:

Christopher C. Clarke, a Patterson High School senior and athlete, was looking forward to becoming a Baltimore police officer. ... His mother, Anita Ann-Marie McDonald, said he had acceptances from several colleges but had decided to enroll at the Baltimore City Police Academy. He "had his eye on the prize," she said, echoing the comments of his teachers and others who knew him.

Instead, Mr. Clarke became a victim of Baltimore crime -- fatally shot March 13 on Cliftmont Avenue near his home in the Belair- Edison neighborhood, a bystander caught in the crossfire of apparent drug-turf violence. He was 18.

Mr. Clarke played on Patterson's football team and was an attackman on the lacrosse team. School officials said that this year's lacrosse season has been dedicated in his honor. He also played the saxophone, keyboard and drums in a Patterson jazz ensemble that performs several times a year.

"God gave him everything -- looks, talent and brains," said Ray Gagne, his music teacher. "You don't get any more hardworking than he was. They just don't come any better."

Tragic, tragic, tragic.

Kidnapping, Murder, and a Creepy Old Man

A University of Maryland medical student was kidnapped and taken to ATM machines. Picture of one of the suspects is at left.

In the county, Nankisoor Ramnath, 54, was charged with first-degree murder in the strangulation death of his wife, Nirmala Maharaj, whose body was found yesterday evening, reportedly by their daughter.

All murder charges were dropped against Adelphi student Nicholas Dudley Pinderhughes Weaver.

Remember the creepy old man found hiding in a Dundalk kids' bedroom? He pleaded guilty today to an attempted first-degree sex offense. Whatever that is.

FBI: Hate crimes are down in MD (maybe because self-hate crimes are on the uptick?)

Wheee! "Man not hurt after SUV drives into Inner Harbor"

50 Years for a Home Invasion, from the SAO (verbatim but with punctuation corrected):

Judge John Addison Howard today sentenced Wayne Morris, 22, of the 300 block of S. Calhoun Street to a total consecutive prison term of 105 years in prison suspending all but 50 years for the murder of Robert Atkinson and charges stemming from his participation in an armed home invasion that occurred in April 2006. Morris received 30 years incarceration for second-degree murder and 20-years for handgun counts. The first 20 years of his sentence are to be served without parole. He received 10 year sentences on each of 3 counts of first-degree assault, robbery, burglary and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Before sentencing Morris, Judge Howard denied defense counsel’s motion for a new trial. The State in a discussion of the pre-sentence investigation revealed that Morris became involved with the criminal justice system at age 14. His crimes escalated from CDS possession to assault to murder. A victim of the home-invasion told Morris in a crime victim impact statement that he did not hate him but, in fact said “I love and forgive you.” Morris asked the Judge to show mercy and not to throw his life away saying that he wanted rehabilitation.

On April 20, 2006 Morris kicked down the door at 1404 Kuper Street, announced a robbery, and shot and killed an occupant of the home, Robert Atkinson, 47. One victim was pistol-whipped and two victims, including a pregnant woman, were assaulted. All were robbed of various items on their person including cash and cell phones.

Morris has also been convicted of obstruction of justice. He was found guilty of attempting to prevent testimony in the home invasion and murder trial. Sentencing in that matter is scheduled for November 12 before Judge John Prevas.

A co-defendant, David Marshall, was acquitted of murder, robbery and assault charges in April. Marshall faces first-degree burglary charges in connection to this incident. Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Shaffer of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

A mother and daughter were reportedly carjacked at the York Rd. Giant.

#183

Mark Vines, 21, shot to death on the porch of a house in the 600 block of McKewin Ave.

Five Years (or less) for Murder of Christopher Clarke.

The killers of Christopher Clarke, Brandon Green and Jerome Whitaker, pleaded guilty yesterday to charges related to his murder. Green will get five years, Whitaker will get "up to" five years.
UPDATE/CORRECTION: The SAO says that the Sun's report is incorrect: Under terms of the plea, Whitaker will be sentenced to 30 years in prison, suspend all but 25 years, the first 5 years without the possibility of parole, and Green will be sentenced to 5 years.

As for the other trials that were supposed to start yesterday, from the SA's office:

Baltimore, MD – October 30, 2008 – The following five murder trials were scheduled to begin in Baltimore Circuit Court Wednesday.

The murder trial of Bryant Williams was postponed to January 26, 2009. No courts were available.

Court documents allege that on May 2, 2007 in the 2200 block of Barclay Street Derius Harmon, 19, was found fatally shot. Witnesses later identified Williams as the alleged shooter.

The murder trial of Dajuan Marshall was postponed to a date to be determined. No courts were available.

Court documents allege on June 8, 2008, Dajuan Marshall and an unknown male approached Kenneth Jones in the area of Custom House and Water Street. Marshall and the unknown male allegedly forced Jones at gunpoint into the trunk of a waiting four door sedan. The body of Mr. Jones was found on June 9 at 12:15AM in the 4500 block of Bonner Road.

The murder trial of Danny Battle was postponed to January 14, 2009. No courts were available.

Court documents allege Danny Battle was responsible for a shooting incident on January 25, 2008 in the 900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Irvin Lawson was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the unit block. He died later at University of Maryland Shock Trauma.

The murder trial of Michael Wallace was postponed to a date to be determined. No courts were available.

Court documents allege June 12, 2007 in the 2400 block of Ellamont Ave. the victim, Sterling A. Carr, Jr., 28, was found on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Carr died the same day at Shock Trauma. Witnesses later identified Wallace as the alleged shooter.

The murder trial of Darnell Jeter was postponed to February 2, 2009. No courts were available.

Court documents allege Darnell Jeter was responsible for the death of Theresa Parker on March 25, 2007 in the 1200 block of Treeleaf Court. Parker was found dead in the second floor bedroom of a vacant dwelling at that address.

Seven murders, a stabbing and a threatening gesture

Seven murders reported this week in the Ink; #178, Kenneth Ringgold, was removed from the toll. The teenager shot on N. Clinton Street was ID'D as 17-year-old Shawn Crosby.

"17-year-old charged in stabbing at Heritage High"

Two years for witness intimidation and disorderly conduct, verbatim from Margaret Burns:

Willie Guiterrez Amaya, 26, of 8000 block of Gough Street in Baltimore was found guilty Tuesday of witness intimidation and disorderly conduct during a court trial before the Honorable Nathan Braverman. Amaya received a 2-year suspended sentence and 1-year supervised probation.Prosecutor Oana Nagy handled the case in Eastside District Court.

On August 23, 2008 at approximately 12:30 AM police received a call for a traffic accident in the 6500 block of Eastern Avenue and upon arrival Amaya was found threatening the 24-yr.old victim for calling for police assistance. The defendant failed in his attempt to negotiate a financial settlement for the accident and made hand gestures towards the victim appearing to cut his throat.

Exhibit A interviews the exec director of the MD Legal Aid Bureau.

The Gerard Mungo lawsuit is moving to HoCo.

Place Your Bets

Following, a press release from the State's Attorney's Office. Six murder trials are scheduled to start tomorrow.
How many will actually start? (All but one are scheduled for the same judge-- duh!)
How many will end in a conviction?
Let's follow together, shall we?

Baltimore, MD – October 28, 2008 – The following six murder trials are scheduled to begin in Baltimore Circuit Court tomorrow.

The murder trial of Brandon Green and Jerome Whitaker is scheduled to begin at 2:00PM tomorrow before Judge John C. Themelis, 225 Courthouse East.

Court documents allege that on March 13, 2007 Christopher Clark, 18, was caught in a crossfire and sustained a gunshot wound to the torso in the 3100 block of Cliftmont Avenue. Allegedly, Clark was shot in the crossfire when an unknown male appeared from an alley and fired a handgun at Antonio Santifer, who was standing on the sidewalk in front of his residence. Santifer was struck and taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The two other suspects, later identified as Jerome Whitaker and Brandon Green, were also wounded and treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Clark died from his injuries at Johns Hopkins Hospital the same day.

The murder trial of Bryant Williams is scheduled to begin 9:30AM tomorrow before Judge John A. Howard, 438 Mitchell Courthouse.

Court documents allege that on May 2, 2007 in the 2200 block of Barclay Street Derius Harmon, 19, was found fatally shot. Witnesses later identified Williams as the alleged shooter.

The murder trial of Dajuan Marshall is scheduled to begin 11:00AM tomorrow before Judge John C. Themelis, 225 Courthouse East.

Court documents allege on June 8, 2008, Dajuan Marshall and an unknown male approached Kenneth Jones in the area of Custom House and Water Street. Marshall and the unknown male allegedly forced Jones at gunpoint into the trunk of a waiting four-door sedan. The body of Mr. Jones was found on June 9 at 12:15AM in the 4500 block of Bonner Road.

The murder trial of Danny Battle is scheduled to begin 2:00PM tomorrow before Judge John C. Themelis, 225 Courthouse East.

Court documents allege Danny Battle was responsible for a shooting incident on January 25, 2008 in the 900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Irvin Lawson was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the unit block. He died later at University of Maryland Shock Trauma.

The murder trial of Michael Wallace is scheduled to begin 2:00PM tomorrow before Judge John A. Howard, 438 Mitchell Courthouse.

Court documents allege June 12, 2007 in the 2400 block of Ellamont Ave. the victim, Sterling A. Carr, Jr., 28, was found on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Carr died the same day at Shock Trauma. Witnesses later identified Wallace as the alleged shooter.

The murder trial of Darnell Jeter is scheduled to begin 11:00AM tomorrow before Judge John A. Howard, 438 Mitchell Courthouse.

Court documents allege Darnell Jeter was responsible for the death of Theresa Parker on March 25, 2007 in the 1200 block of Treeleaf Court. Parker was found dead in the second floor bedroom of a vacant dwelling at that address.

Two years for assault & bomb threat

From the SAO
PRESS RELEASE

At a hearing today at the Wabash District Court, Waliyyuddi Fergueson, 32, of the 3700 block of Woodbine Ave, entered into a plea on one count of second degree assault and one count of threatening to explode a destructive device on a structure. After being found guilty, Judge H. Gary Bass sentenced the defendant to 2 years with all but 5 months suspended, 3 years supervised probation, and a stay away order in addition to the standard conditions of probation.

The following not guilty agreed statement of facts was read into the record by the State to support the plea:

On September 19, 2008 at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Fergueson's brother, Willie Fergueson, was found guilty by a city jury of murdering Richard Ray.

As the victim's family was returning from court in the 3700 block of Woodbine Ave some time after 5 o'clock, Waliyyuddi Fergueson approached them and said, "I'm going to throw a fucking bomb in your house." Mr. Ferguson then pulled up his shirt and displayed what appeared to be the butt of a handgun sticking out of his waistband. Fergueson entered his vehicle and left the location, but was apprehended by a Northwest District Patrol Officer a short time later. No gun was recovered.

No Jail Time for Hit and Run that Killed Toddler

From the SA's office:

At a hearing today, Donte Spencer, 22, of Burleigh Avenue plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Spencer to 5-years in prison suspended and 3-years probation. He was ordered to write a letter of apology to the victim’s family and pay a fine as conditions of probation.

At today’s hearing, attended by the many members of the victim’s family, Spencer agreed to waive his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to the following facts. On May 20, 2006 at approximately 8:30 PM family members of 2-year old Taemier Forrester were having a family cookout in the 2300 block of Lauretta Avenue. Taemier and her mother were sitting on the house steps when the child’s mother entered the house to use the restroom. Donte Spencer was driving a vehicle in the 2300 block of Lauretta Avenue when the 2-year old darted from between two parked cars into traffic. The child became trapped in the wheel well of Spencer’s car and suffered massive head injuries. Taemier died of these injuries May 21. The medical examiner ruled her death an accident. Investigators found no speeding, drugs or alcohol involved in the accident.

Despite numerous witnesses outside at the time of the accident, Spencer was not positively identified as the driver of the vehicle that hit Taemier until a witness came forward in December 2007. A paint chip from the crime scene was eventually matched to Spencer’s car.

Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Wherley of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

25 Years for Murderer of Christine Richardson

Press release from the SA's office:

At a hearing today Calvin Puryear, 21, of the 1900 block of Ramsay St. pled guilty to first-degree murder and openly carrying a deadly weapon with intent to injure. Judge John A. Howard sentenced Puryear to life suspend all but 25-years in prison.

On July 10, 2007 at approximately 2:10AM the mother of the victim, Christine Richardson, 15, [left] returned home from her job and discovered the back door of her home in the 300 block of S. Fulton Ave. unlocked. She found her daughter in an upstairs bedroom wearing a pink dress suffering from fatal stab wounds to the neck. She had been stabbed several times and her throat was slashed.

Police identified Puryear as a suspect and he gave police a statement indicating that he was in the house and that he held Richardson down while implicating a co-defendant, Lloyd Chase, saying he stabbed her. Police continued their investigation and questioned Chase who denied being in the house and said that Puryear confessed to him that night that he killed Christine. Chase admitted that he went by the house later to see what was going on and called police. Police were able to confirm that Chase made a 911 call.

Further investigation revealed that DNA taken from the victim matched Puryear and not Chase. No fingerprints are recovered from the scene and a murder weapon was not recovered. No motive was offered at today’s hearing.

Lloyd Chase pled guilty April 25, 2008 to accessory after the fact to murder and is pending sentencing November 6, 2008. Chase faces a maximum prison term of 3-years. Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Banks of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Charging docs here and here

Nicholas Browning Pleaded Guilty

today to four counts of first-degree murder.

Two recent murder victims were ID'd as Derrick Phillips, 42, and Gregory Boston, 48. And apparently there was a murder Saturday in the 2400 block of Loyola Southway.

Pig-biting mad

Pigtown residents are pig-biting mad that Colin (aka Collin or Calvin) Frost DOB: 10/24/1988 has been picked up and dropped off more times than a Washington Blvd. working lady

The City Council wants to start fining parking permit fraudsters $500

That cannot possibly be legal dept: the E says Baltimore City Election Director Armstead Jones office is canceling hundreds of ex-felons’ voter registrations because the former criminals did not call his office, as per an unsigned, undated letter he sent out.

Melissa Harris: Murders may be down, but the homicide clearance rate is the second-lowest "in nearly 3 decades"

A teen was shot and "seriously injured" yesterday morning, reportedly on West Fayette and North Monroe Streets

Peter Hermann visits the ironically named Walbrook Homeland Security Academy, and he and Buz blog about a visit from LA police chief William J. Bratton (who, for head of a large organization, certainly manages to travel a lot)

Hot damn I'm psychic, indeed no daily local news source could resist the siren song of the "man caught stealing women's underwear" story

#182

"An unidentified black man was found shot in the head in the 1800 block of North Regester Ave. in East Baltimore at about 12:59 this morning, Baltimore City Police said."

JB: "Baltimore police said they recently closed a 'well-organized house of prostitution' in Upper Fells Point and a related residence in Butchers Hill" and "prosecutors say it is apparently a case of human trafficking"

Scary numbers

... from the NYT
Cost to analyse a DNA sample: $1500

And guess what % of its budget CA spends on the state corrections system? No wonder they's broke!

News of the Weird

"A bizarre case unfolded in Howard County where police say a man was breaking into apartments and stealing women's underwear."
(What you want to bet this story makes every single local news channel?)

AAC sheriff pursues criminals with flair, Pat Sajak

One Year for Witness Intimidation

from the office of Patricia C. Jessamy:

THELMA WATKINS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON FOR WITNESS INTIMIDATION, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, & CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ASSAULT

Baltimore, MD – October 24, 2008 - In August 27, 2008 a Baltimore jury convicted Wayne Morris, 22, of the 300 block of South Calhoun Street of second-degree murder, five counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of robbery deadly weapon, two counts of attempted robbery deadly weapon, four counts of first-degree assault, and four counts of conspiracy to commit robbery deadly weapon. This conviction followed four hours of deliberation and a six day trial.

While awaiting trial, Morris made numerous phone calls from the Baltimore City Detention Center attempting to prevent testimony in the home invasion case. Morris was charged with witness intimidation, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit assault after investigators reviewed more than 36 phone calls Morris made to Thelma Watkins and others. In those phone calls, Morris commanded and directed Watkins to take action against the witnesses in the murder case in an attempt to prevent their testimony at his trial. Morris was heard in many calls, played in open court, describing how he wanted to get out of jail and come home, and needed help to eliminate witness testimony to thwart his murder case.

On or about April 26 Thelma Watkins and another woman broke into A Kuper Avenue residence to assault a witness to the home invasion. Subsequently she was indicted on charges of witness intimidation, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. Thelma Watkins provided testimony in Morris’ witness intimidation trial and was sentenced this morning by the Honorable John N. Prevas to 10-years suspend all but 1-year for her role. She was also sentenced to 5-years suspend all but 1-year with 3-years probation for obstruction of justice and 10-years suspend all but 1-year with 3-years probation for conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. Ms. Watkins was out on bail prior to her sentencing this morning.

A co-defendant in the home-invasion, David Marshall, was acquitted of murder, robbery and assault charges in April 2008. Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Shaffer of the Homicide Division has prosecuted these cases.
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