September 26

This story about elderly murder victims notes that the current Baltimore homicide clearance rate is 36 percent. The national average is about 67 percent. Even with a generous curve, that's an F-minus in my classroom.

The murder trial of Michael Hughes, 58, of the unit block of Anson Street, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Hughes for first-degree murder January 3 of this year. Court documents allege Hughes murdered McKinley Johnson, 40, on December 24, 1974 in the 1700 block of Baker Street. News sources reported the murder was over a stolen can of Spam®. A murder warrant was issued for Hughes in 1974, but he was not arrested until summer 2003 in Boston and extradited to Maryland in December 2004. Hughes is currently being held without bail. Assistant State's Attorney and Homicide Division Chief Mark Cohen will prosecute the case.

Yay, some witness intimidation prosecutions: A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sandy Rogers-Howerton, 44, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 2, Hargrove District Courthouse, 700 E. Patapsco Avenue. Court documents allege that on July 2, 2005 Rogers-Howerton attempted to influence/intimidate a witness in the discharge of his duty. The witness reports that Rogers-Howerton and an accomplice threatened the witness and family members with assault and harassment. And the witness intimidation trial of Erik Johnson, 32, and Juan Tucker, 29, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 N. Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Johnson and Tucker May 14, 2004 for intimidating/corrupting/influencing a juror/witness. Court documents allege Johnson and Tucker attempted to intimidate and retaliate against a witness in a pending murder case in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Johnson and Tucker are currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Assistant State's Attorney Samuel Yee is prosecuting the case.

The murder trial of Michael Johnson, 15, of the 1600 block of West Franklin Street, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Edward R.K. Hargadon. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Johnson for first-degree murder and handgun counts May 18. Court documents allege that on December 1, 2004 Johnson shot and killed Flenall Carter, III, 19.
Johnson is currently being held without bail.

The victim who died in the Water Street triple-stabbing has been identified as Stanley Thomas, 35.
Also identified was Terrance P. Williams, 18, who was stabbed to death in East Baltimore.

A homicide arrest for the murder of Thomas Mason, 35, in the blotter.

Baltimore County police have arrested 22-year-old Geremiah Johnson for first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault and arson in the death of Evelyn Amereihn and the stabbing of 22-year-old William Clark Mitchell.

The Euerildo Vasquez kidnapping case was postponed because interpreter was not present. The new court date is October 24.

Police say two of the three deaths in Howard County Detention Center were suicides.

Dontaz Anthony Winston, 23, is scheduled for arraignment for two counts of firearm violation Tuesday, September 27 before Judge Lynn Stewart. Winston was indicted by the Baltimore Grand Jury on August 22 for handgun on person and for possession of regulated firearm after being convicted of drug felony. Court documents allege that on August 3 police officers observed Winston ditching a firearm in a rear yard of a vacant dwelling in the 900 block of North Streeper Street. The firearm was recovered by police officers and Winston was arrested at the scene.

A pair of federal employees, Franklin G. Thomas and Andrea D. Harrison, are facing a max of 20 years after they pled guilty to stealing from the SSA and NASA.

After the "Staying Alive" program showed success, the city has trained about 800 people to know the signs of heroin overdose and admister naloxone, (right) and the health department is seeking to expand the program. Thanks to better availability of the drug, last year the city recorded 261 fatal overdoses, the lowest rate since the turn of the century.

The anti-snitching tee shirt is the 2005 "X" cap. Baltimore's fashion statement to the world has even been featured in the latest L'il Kim video.

O'Malley will anounce his bid for governor this week.

September 25

Did you know that a guard convicted in the Abu Ghraib scandal, Robert Jones, left, is now with the Baltimore Police?

Dan Rodericks knows well that human beings can only empathize with one person at a time, hence, another meditation on the evils of the drug trade, this time as a profile of a 25-year-old dealer who got beat up, impregnated some girl and now lives with his mom. Here's a more uplifting Baltimore story.

The York Road Giant has increased security following the July robbery of five teenagers.

In Baltimore County, police have arrested more than 100 people as part of Operation Just Cause in Landsdowne and Riverview.

In AACo a 19-year-old in has been arrested for shooting and killing 24-year-old James Tico Smith.

In Carroll County, assault and vandalism.

September 24

The 17-year-old victim shot outside of Mondawmin mall was identified as Abdul-Bahiri Muhammad.

A suspicious death on the West side.

Liquor Board Non-Shocker: it's really corrupt. More intriguing: two undercover police officers were posing as dancers.

One of Ehrlich's advisors, Edward B. Miller, is accused of money laundering for a lobbyist. Will he get the Joe Steffan treatment for that ethical breach? Line's posted at 1:5.

Bad Behavior in the Burbs Dept
euuu... Stanley A. Taylor, 79, a former Boy Scout leader and grandfather of 34 and great-grandfather of 10, pled guilty in circuit court to a third-degree sex offense and a child-pornography charge for taking naked pictures of a nine-year-old girl in his minivan in the Wal-Mart parking lot. But for some reason he's not in jail and is bragging to neighbors that he's "free as a bird." Here is a map to his house.

Someone robbed a gas station in Landsdowne on Hammonds Ferry Road and shot the feisty owner, George Panchigar, in the leg.

Weird: two murders outside of two different high-school football games. A girl gang beat a 15-year-old to death in the parking lot. And in Germantown, two men beat 23-year-old Stephone Wiggins to death with a mini-baseball bat after yesterday's Seneca Valley-Northwest High School football game.

Someone shot and killed a 19-year-old hotel desk clerk, Jerry Alan Wills III, at the Day's Inn in Waldorf, for no immediately apparent reason.

September 23

A man was shot in the head at Mondawmin mall.

In the blotter, an arrest in the murder of Curtis Streat, 27, of Laurel.

Judge Wanda K. heard denied a juvenile transfer motion yesterday for Keyona Dillon, 14, charged with attempted first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on May 31 of this year Dillon stabbed Shatina Quinn with a kitchen knife at Margaret Street and Washburn Avenue (in the Southern). Nearby men broke up the fight, Dillon fled and was later arrested while trying to hide in an abandoned house. The victim survived, in spite of a two-inch stab wound to the heart. Dillion remains charged as an adult and is scheduled for trial October 3.

The woman who was stabbed and had her house set on fire in Dundalk was identified as 63-year-old Evelyn Ameriehn.

Euerildo Vasquez, 27, of Belair Road, is scheduled for arraignment Monday. Vasquez was indicted on August 12 by a Baltimore City Grand Jury in connection with the kidnapping of a two-year old boy. Court documents allege that Vasquez took the boy from the El Salvadore Restaurant at 207 South Broadway, hailed a cab, and forced the child inside. The taxi driver became suspicious and signaled two Baltimore City police officers that were in the area. They arrested Vasquez and the boy was retuned to his parents in the restaurant. Vasquez is currently being held on $500,000 bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

Why is 19 year-old Moshe Khaver not in prison and getting meals delievered to Central Booking by his mother? The controversy rages on, with Judge Evelyn O. Cannon now also demanding to know what the deal is.

Did Paris Hilton give teenagers marijuana and bourbon while filming in our fair state? And wasn't Carmelo Anthony supposed to be filming a Public Service Annoucement?

Mikulski wants no killers at Arlington.

Why does everybody like to flee to Baltimore County?

A Nigerian immigrant got 14 years for an indentity theft scheme that he ran while working for Southwest Airlines at BWI.

September 22

Godawful suspicious fire death on the 600 block of East 30th Street. Sixty-four year-old artist and painter Myron Terry Koenig was found in his living room.

An armed-and-dangerous bank robbery suspect, Kendall Alexander, 41, left, is on the loose.

An O'Malley interview by WBAL notes that in 2004 violent crime in Baltimore was up 4 percent. The term "inconsistency in leadership" comes up. As in, even the Democrats are saying there's doesn't seem to be much clue what the plan is, or whose job it is to establish priorities to go about making the plan. Are we fixing "broken windows"? Are we "targeting hot spots"? Wiretapping? Building bigger jails and kicking off some executions? Adding more drug treatment facilities? Anyone? Anyone?

The state is now taking charge of education at the state-run juvenile jail. No mention as to who was running it before.

There was a triple stabbing at 2:15 this morning on Water street.

A 27-year-old man was stabbed in East Baltimore.

We Know Who We're Working For: Poisions have been found on Lockheed Martin's property, which the company wants to turn into condos.

A couple of Democrats stole Michael Steele's credit report.

A snakehead in Potomac got 6 1/2 years for fraud.

Two arrests for attempted murder and a lot of stolen stuff in the blotter.

Instead of this week's murder ink, readers are advised to visit the March Homes Funeral Registry. Here's Christopher Richardson, 15, whose 15-year-old murderer was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison.

Down in Anne Arundel County The Capital reports that some teens were charged with arson, a convenience store robber was caught, and two employees of an armored-car company stole $99,000 from three Wal-Marts. And a prisoner was stabbed at Jessup.

Pinocchio? Lamp-wick? Two 30-something Dundalk residents were pulled out of the water, drunk, after jumping off of a stolen boat near Pleasure Island.

September 20

Suspected gang member Derrell Miller pled guilty to the first-degree murder of Derald Guess, a father of nine from Edgewood.

In the blotter, 23-year-old Harvin Sandoval was arrested for the first-degree murder of 15-year-old Jessenia Dubon. Police are also seeking a second suspect, 25-year-old Oman Hernandez.

In Carroll County, a woman got a 10-year prison term for three counts of vehicular manslaughter-- she was driving 100 mph, drunk, to get to Target before it closed.

A Pasadena woman got two years for neglecting a man with Down's Syndrome.

A man in a bird mask robbed the Maryland Zoo.

Speaking of dirty birds, other Orioles are being questioned about Palmeiro's steriod use.

In Overlea, police are warning parents about a suspicious man seen hanging around school-bus stops.

A grand jury report found that Maryland's prison health care system is inadequate.

DJ equipment, a pair of pants, a cat, a PlayStation and a seven-year-old Chrysler = stuff stolen in the northern 'burbs lately.

Hey wow, a ray of hope that maybe I can stop this depressing-ass blog one day! The Sun has a new section, "Crime Watch Digest"!

September 19

Plenty of burglary and theft going on in the Northern.

In Dundalk a woman was stabbed and her house set on fire.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning for Kevin Scott, Jr., 15, of the 1900 block of Dukeland Street, before Judge Paul A. Smith at the Courthouse East on North Calvert St. A Baltimore City jury convicted Scott August 1 of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and armed robbery. He faces a maximum prison sentence of life plus 45 years. On September 13, 2004 Scott attempted to rob the victim, Christopher Richardson, 15, in the 2800 block of West North Avenue. A struggle ensued over the gun Scott wielded, a .22 caliber handgun, and Richardson was shot twice during that struggle. Scott then ran several feet away, returned, and shot Richardson three more times before taking an unknown amount of money from his pocket. Richardson was shot a total of five times, four times in the head.

Charles Benedict Knott Sr., 51, was scheduled for bail review at 11:30 today. Last Friday, September 16, Knott got into an argument with James Garrett in the 1100 block of 36th street. Knott allegedly hit Garrett over the head twice with his cane. Police responded and Garrett was taken to the hospital where he later died of his wounds.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Torri Fatherly, 26, today of voluntary manslaughter and carrying a concealed deadly weapon after three days of testimony and five hours of deliberation. Judge Sylvester Cox will sentence Fatherly on November 9 where she will face a maximum prison sentence of 13 years. On July 12, 2003 Fatherly stabbed to death Kevin Blackston, 20, in the 1600 block of West North Avenue.

At a hearing Friday, September 16, Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Felicia Hayes, 19, to 13 years in prison, suspending all but five (otherwise known as eight years in the can). Hayes pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and use of a deadly weapon March 9, 2005 for the death of her boyfriend, Christopher Wynn, 21. On October 15, 2004 Hayes stabbed to death Wynn during an altercation in their apartment located in the 6000 block of Amberwood Road.

September 18

A jury will have to figure out if the shooting of Landsdowne resident Deneen Smith was murder or an accident.

An arrest for first-degree murder, a stolen Jag, plus the "odor of burning marijuana" leads cops to an illegal Glock and a trove of hollow-point bullets in the blotter.

In Anne Arundel county a jury found that the shooting of unarmed, naked 20-year-old Donald Coates by the police was justified. Also in AACo a woman was raped in her home in Glen Burnie.

September 16

A man was beaten to death at around 3 p.m. in front of the Hampden Family Center on 36th street. Rumor on the street is that one old man accused another old man of molesting his granddaughter, then proceeded to beat the geezer to death with a cane. I was interviewed by Keith Daniels. He didn't like my answers much.

Rod: "As a citizen, what do you think when something like this happens?"
"Well, gentrification, schmentrification, you can put in some boutiques but Hampden is still Hampden."
RD: "Let me ask this another way... as a human being, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear about something like this?"
Me: "As a homeowner, I hope my property values aren't affected. And if it's true he was a child molester, it's kind of hard to feel bad for him."
RD: (getting frustrated) "But as a human being how does this loss of human life make you feel?"
Me: "Well, *sigh* (finally deciding to give the guy what he wants to hear).. the amount of passion and anger it takes work up the strength to physically beat someone to death is difficult to fathom, and it's shocking that something like this would happen in broad daylight right in front of the family center where children are getting help with their homework."
That seemed to satisfy him. And now I know why none of the "concerned neighbors" on the local news are ever quoted as things like "that bitch had it coming!"

On that note, in Essex an 18-year-old as arrested for the Labor Day shooting death of Charles Clark, 20.



Freaky looking sex offender Joshua Keller, above, tried to abduct a 7-year-old at Glendale Elementary in Glen Burnie.

The trial of Linda Trinh's accused murderer has been postponed.

An article about the jurors in the Espinoza/Canela murder trial.

In PG county, Jerome Anthony Proctor was shot to death.

More on the man and woman stabbed in Liberty Heights.

September 15

Steven Richie Craft, 39, of Loch Hill Road, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before the Honorable Lynn Stewart on Calvert Street in connection to the attempted first-degree murder of Baltimore City Police Officer Edward Mendez.
Craft was indicted by the Baltimore City Grand Jury on August 11 for attempted first-degree murder, first-degree and second-degree assault, and car theft. Court documents allege that on July 16, Officer Mendez Edwards approached the stolen 2005 Toyota Camry at a gas station when Craft put the vehicle in reverse and at a high rate of speed struck Officer Mendez, sending the officer into the air. The officer was transported to Shock Trauma due to head, back, and shoulder injuries. Craft was arrested on July 17. Craft is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status.

State pension system defrauder Nathan Chapman is in trouble with the feds again, this time for not paying the agreed-upon settlement.

Study: drug use among Maryland inmates is up 20 percent.

A Cecil County judge has granted a change of venue for John Dougherty, who is accused of starving the mother of his children to death.

A Severna Park man, Harvey Brown, was convicted of raping a 24-year-old Bowie woman on the Baltimore-and-Annapolis trail.

David Martin, 29, was shot while driving a van in Columbia.

Is Moshe Khaver, 19-year-old son of a prominent Park Heights rabbi turned Cherry Hill drug dealer, getting preferential treatment in jail?

A lot of stolen stuff and a carjacking in the Messenger crime log (fyi Roland View Avenue is between TV hill and Park Heights Ave).

An editorial by Dan Rodericks about the high cost of Maryland's drug laws.

Not a crime, but too weird not to mention: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made a special trip to Charm City just to visit the National Aquarium, of all places.

September 14

The Ink reports five murders this week, bringing the toll to 191.

WTF?! dept: Baltimore Police arrest about 200 people a day, 32 percent of them without charges. Last year about 100,000 people were processed through central booking. How could that even be possible? The city population is only 620,000!

A man and a woman were stabbed this morning on Liberty Heights Avenue.

And in Edgewater Jose Amaya was arrested for stabbing his live-in "girlfriend" to death.

A hit-and-run driver rear-ended a man and his girfriend who were riding a Harley on an exit ramp on 695. Police are looking for an amoral asshole driving a late-model Chrysler with front-end damage.

Cradlerock school in Columbia was robbed of computers at gunpoint.

A story about the challenges of the city's needle exchange program.

In Howard County, police arrested 52 people on various drug charges following an eight-month investigation flamboyantly dubbed "Operation Mesmerize."

Seven members of The Pioneer City Boys, an AA County gang, were indicted for conspiring to sell crack.

Police cameras caught some guys in the act of trying to sell a stolen handicapped tag.

In spite of an attempt to use a bankruptcy loophole to weasel out of proceedings, the Erotica strip club (formerly known as "Chubbies") on Eastern Avenue was fined $3,000 and must suspend operations for 30 days for various violations.

September 13

A Baltimore County jury today found Javon Clark guilty of attempted armed robbery, but not guilty of murder.

A crashed car and a woman with a slit throat are a mystery in Northeast Baltimore. Also, Rrtired Baltimore Archbishop William D. Borders was accused yesterday in two lawsuits of covering up charges of sexual abuse against a priest.

Police in PG county are looking for a serial stick-up robber.

An attempted murder arrest, robberies and an explosive device tossed on a porch in the blotter.

Three school campuses in Randallstown were on lockdown today as police searched for murder suspect Lance Aaron Backus.

A perv was arrested for soliciting an undercover agent in Frederick.

September 12

The murder and attempted murder trial Emanuel Young, 24, is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Edward R. K. Hargadon. Young is charged in three separate shooting incidents - five people were shot, one fatally. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Young July 21, 2003 for the April 13, 2003 first-degree murder of Marcus Gordon, 20, in the 3000 block of Oakley Avenue. Two other men were wounded. Young was also indicted for the attempted murder of a 40-year old man who was shot June 11, 2003 in the 2300 block of West Fayette Street, as well as the attempted murder of a 21-year old female who was shot June 13, 2003 in the 2900 block of Oakley Avenue. Young is being held at the Baltimore City Detention Center on a no bail status.

Richard A. Damon, Jr., 35, pled guilty today before his murder trial was scheduled to begin of two counts of second-degree murder for the murders of Theresa Moore, 51, and Michael Mick, 40. Under the terms of the plea agreement announced today in open court, Damon will receive two 20-year prison terms, concurrent, when Judge John M. Glynn sentences him October 25. On January 20, 2005, Theresa Moore and Michael Mick were shot and killed inside of their home in the 800 block of Bradford Street by Co-Defendant Antoine Adams while he and Damon were participating in a robbery at that address. A city jury convicted Adams last month of two counts of first-degree murder and he will also be sentenced October 25, 2005.

Robbery after robbery in the blotter.

More on the Odenton Fire Hall shooting spree.

Serial arsonist Thomas Sweatt got life plus 136 years for setting fires that killed two old ladies.

As others get rich off of the tee shirts, Stop Snitchin filmmaker Akiba Matthews goes on trial today for cocaine and heroin possession. UPDATE: The trial has been postponed until October 26 before Judge John C. Themelis. The defendant hired a new attorney.

In Frostburg, six field hockey players have pled guilty to hazing and were fined and put on probation. New team members were forced to drink to the point of alcohol poisioning and sit in their own vomit and urine. Go team!

September 11

Two Baltimore judges in separate rulings in the past two weeks have said they don't believe the police officers who investigated gun cases, prompting prosecutors to dismiss charges. Meanwhile, unprosecuted "Quality of Life" crimes are pissing people off.

Two men were stabbed Friday at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

A gunman shot three people outside the Odenton fire hall.

Attorneys say the Javon Clark trial may end tomorrow.

Three women and one man were arrested for prostitution and maintaining a brothel at the Presence of Mind massage parlor in Ellicott City.

An 18-year-old wanted in New York for killing her 6-month-old baby was arrested in Baltimore working at a doughnut shop on Falls Road.

A Massachusetts paper covers a cold case in Bel Air, the murder of Tina Louise Leone in 2003.

Three young men were arrested for selling marijuana on Falls Road in Hampden.

Robbery, vandalism and assault in the Carroll County blotter.

September 10

Javon Clark claimed yesterday that he was held hostage by his friend and forced to rob William Bassett.

Why are Baltimore County's police dogs getting sick?

September 9

A Baltimore City jury returned guilty verdicts against Antonio Williamson, 16, of Mello Court, Percy Johnson, 17, of Southeast Avenue, and Sean Howard, 17, of East Fayette Street in connection to the October 21, 2004 shooting of two teenagers in front of Thurgood Marshall High School. The jury heard testimony for two weeks and deliberated two days for reaching its verdicts. Williamson was convicted of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and second-degree assault. He faces a maximum total prison term of 25 years. Johnson was convicted of first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and two handgun counts. He faces a maximum total prison term of 53-years. Howard was convicted of reckless endangerment, first-degree assault, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and two handgun counts. He faces a maximum total prison term of 58 years. Williamson, Johnson and Howard shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School at 5700 Moravia Drive. The defendants remain held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 20.

The trial of Joseph DiAngelo, 51, of the 100 block of Wells Avenue, was scheduled to begin at 9:30 this morning. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted DiAngelo April 5 for first-degree assault, witness intimidation and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. Court documents allege DiAngelo hired two individuals to conduct a home invasion/assault on a witness in a pending assault case. The hired individuals entered the home armed with table legs to assault the victim/witness. The home occupants killed one of the individuals. The other individual, William Morton, is facing assault and burglary charges.

The child abuse trial of Darryll Purefoy, 34, of Liberty Road, Randallstown, was scheduled to begin this morning, but was postponed for the FOURTH time, this time because no courtrooms were available. Tthe trial date was originally set for March 8, but the defense attorney was in another trial. Then it was postponed to March 25 by State request. Then the defense requested a postponement until today. And today no courts were available. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Purefoy December 6, 2004 on more than 100 counts of sexual child abuse and related other counts. Court documents allege Purefoy had sexual contact with a minor female between the years of 1995 and 2000. At least said perv is in jail right now, but that poor victim and the witnesses must be, like, so pissed, if they haven't moved out of state by now.

So that's why my neighbor said "I gotsta get me down the bus stop"! Transit police and federal agents have made 23 arrests of people selling prescription drugs* at transit stations.

*excuse my naivete... what are they selling? Oxycontin?

September 8

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Clifton Gee, 46, of the 6700 block of Shaken Wood Road, for first-degree murder today in connection with a homicide that occurred more than 11 years ago. Court documents allege Gee stabbed to death Queen Esther Watson, 29, on May 14, 1994 in her home in the 200 block of South Bethel Street. Gee was linked to this murder by DNA testing conducted by the Baltimore City Police Lab and the Maryland State Police Lab in February 2005. He is currently being held by the Division of Correction where he is serving a five-year prison sentence in an unrelated case. An arraignment is scheduled for October 12.

Opening statements today in the case of 18-year-old Javon Clark, accused of helping murder William Bassett in the Towsontowne mall parking garage.

Police have located dozens of sex offenders who've moved to Maryland from out of state and not registered with local authorities.

Local prisons have become donation collection points for Katrina victims.

A Reston man who traveled to Frederick to meet two 14-year-old "girls" had his conviction overturned on account that the girls were cops.

Someone broke into Lt. Governor Michael Steele's Chevy Suburban and took four cell phones.

September 7

In the murder ink a shooting and Baltimore's third older black woman to be asphyxiated in her home.

The shooting death of Earl Tillman has inspired anti-police tee shirts.

A Woodlawn man stabbed his wife and cut himself.

A murder suspect, James Davis, 16, was spotted by police but evaded capture.

Momoh Abu Conteh, Treasurer to city councilwoman Paula Johnson Branch, was arrested and charged with theft, embezzling and perjury.

BoCo councilman Stephen G. Samuel Moxley got probation for driving drunk in a county-owned vehicle.

In AA County a policewoman was dragged 45 feet by a car driven by Tony Joseph Wieland of Jessup, a suspect attempting to flee. Wieland was arrested after a brief car chase.

A fuel-delivery driver is accused of stealing gas from the state highway administration.

September 5

Funding for drug treatment has fallen off by more than 10 percent in the past two years due to a decrease in federal funds and private grants. "Ehrlich has pushed for more rehabilitation in prisons and announced last month a new initiative to spur private funding of drug prevention and treatment. But his support for treatment has not been reflected in his state budgets, advocates say."

In Towson, 25-year-old Melvin Dashiel Greene was shot after a fight in a parking lot.

In Millersville, 17-year-old Kevin Michael Weingart was stabbed to death in the parking lot of Marley Station Mall. A 16-year-old was arrested and charged.

In Columbia, 20-year-old Eric McGhee was found lying face-down, beaten and stabbed to death.

In Pittsburgh, Andre Staton, 38, of Baltimore, was ordered to stand trial for murder after an 11-year-old testified watching him stab 26-year-old Beverly K. Yohn to death.

Edward Grunell Howard Jr., 38, was shot to death in Severn.

The death of an inmate at the Howard County Jail is being investigated.

Burglary, assault and a break-in at Killer Trash in the blotter.

September 2

Police are seeking Shaun Donell Joyce of Landsdowne after the shooting of Alfred Parker on Monday on Madison street.

The Cockeysville rapist caught in Oregon has now been implicated in at least six other crimes.

The state has rejected Vernon Evans Jr's claim of racial bias in his death-penalty case.

Two officers are on routine leave after shooting a robbery suspect at a hair salon on McHenry Street.

Some nutjob set fire to a marked patrol car behind police headquarters on Baltimore and Gay streets. He's now in the hospital being treated for burns.

Drunk dad Jaime Martinez passed out cold on the sidealk while taking his seven-month-old baby for a walk in Annapolis. And there were a lot of marijuana arrests.

August 31

Believe it or not, there were only two murders last week. Current toll, 184.

Montese L. Thompson, 22, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning before the Honorable Wanda Keyes Heard, Courthouse East. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Thompson August 2 for first-degree murder and deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection with the beating death of Verna Brown, 35. Court documents allege that on June 28 Thompson beat Brown to death in the 1800 block of North Montford Avenue. Thompson assaulted Brown in a house and later followed her outside and beat Brown in the face with a shovel. Brown was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries on July 3.

Samuel McFarlin, 24, is scheduled for a jury trial for first-degree murder and auto theft 9:00 tomorrow morning before the Honorable John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted McFarlin on February 14 for first-degree murder and auto theft. Court documents allege that on June 6, 2004 McFarlin ran over Dwight Allen Chase, 53, with a stolen automobile. On November 10, 2004, Mr. Chase died from the injuries he received at the time of incident. The Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide.

In Baldwin (BoCo) police have charged 30-year-old John Coles with the stabbing death of Alice Tremper, 34.

The Espinoza/Canela trial has ended in a hung jury. The new trial will begin March 1.

During the Christopher Travon Williams rape arraignment trial was set for November 16, Judge Shirley Watts.

The Danier Baker attempted murder trial was postponed at the request of the Defense to October 27, Judge Glynn.

The Robert Edward Pasik murder trial was postponed to September 26.

The John Leo Blankenship murder trial was postponed to September 20, Judge Wanda Keyes Heard.

The suspect accused of raping a woman in Timonium, David Mollett, was arrested in Oregon.

August 30

The three-day hunt for a fugitive near the PA border ended when the body was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head.

The jury is still deadlocked in the Epinoza/Canela trial.

A murder arrest, a robbery arrest and a lot of stolen stuff in the Blotter. Yesterday there were two shootings and an 18-year-old female stabbed in the eye with a knife.

An 82-year-old deaf man was beaten to death on Greenspring Avenue.

August 27

Police are seeking an armed fugitive who evaded capture near the PA border Thursday. Also, police seek help in solving the mysterious murder of 19-year-old Darryl Smith Jr., shot to death March 2 in Westport.

Rodman Durham got 75 years for murder, conspiracy and robbery in the April 2003 Colonel Brooks Tavern case.

A County rapist has been ID'd as one 35-year-old David Mollett, right. Police believe he's fled that state and that he was last spotted in Missouri.

A Baltimore prosecutor was forced to throw out conspiracy and gun charges yesterday against three alleged juvenile members of a gang after a missed deadline to hand over a surveillance videotape to defense attorneys.

August 26

In Manassas, the man suspected of being the Route 29 Stalker pled guilty to the minor charge of unlawful wounding and could be out of jail in a matter of months. Ladies (and gentlemen) if you are out of the road and someone who is not a cop follows you and signals you to you to pull over, 1. don't do it 2. get the hell out of there, fast and 3. write down the vehicle's license plate number, okay?

Albert G. Antonelli of Queenstown became the luckiest cop-killer in the world when he got just three years for auto manslaughter for a hit-and-run on Route 50 that killed extremely hot officer Duke G. Aaron III, left, last July 20. Especially considering "police found a small bag of cocaine, trace amounts of marijuana, six syringes and the prescription drug Suboxone" in Antonelli's truck.

James William Fling kidnapped a woman in Arbutus, tied up traffic by the airport and eventually was pepper-sprayed and arrested on Aviation Boulevard.

Stop Snitchin t-shirts are becoming Baltimore's calling card to the world.

Snockered White People Dept.:
More on the meth raid in Severna Park that resulted in the arrest of alledged lab operator Brian Kauffmann, 33.

Dan Rodericks' drama amp goes to 11, but this is nevertheless a touching column about the heroin-overdose death of Ralph "Casey" Kloetzli.

The Iguana Cantina, down in the Lomard St. Marketplace area, is in agua caliente after some kids from Howard County did some underage drinking on the premesis.

August 25

Nineteen members of MS-13 were indicted on federal racketeering charges in Greenbelt.

"Specific acts of violence charged in the indictment include six murders and six attempted murders in Maryland, as follows: the April 20, 2003 beating and murder in Langley Park of rival gang member Noel Gudiel; the June 10, 2003 attempted murder of a juvenile member of a rival gang outside of High Point High School in Beltsville; the November 22, 2003 stabbing and death of Eliuth Madrigal in Silver Spring; the November 22, 2003 shooting death of gang member Randy Calderon in Mount Ranier; the May 21, 2004 beating and murder of Ashley Antonio Urias at the Washington National Cemetery in Suitland; the September 17, 2004 attempted murder of a juvenile member of a rival gang outside of a nightclub in Langley Park; the October 25, 2004 kidnapping in Adelphi of two juvenile females, resulting in the murder of one and attempted murder of the other; the March 26, 2005 drive-by shooting in Hyattsville resulting in the death of a juvenile male; the June 8, 2005 attempted murder of a high school student outside his home in Langley Park; and the June 14, 2005 attempted murder of a juvenile member of a rival gang and his friend in Silver Spring."

A 15-year-old shot to death in Severn, Keisha Shardae Lane, was a runaway from Hagerstown.

The murder trial of Terrence Wynn, 21, and Christopher Minor, 21, iis scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Wynn and Minor September 23, 2004 for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Court documents allege that on August 30, 2004 Wynn and Minor shot to death Marshall Giles, 15, inside a home in the 3200 block of Lyndale Avenue.

At the juvenile transfer hearing of Percy Johnson, 17, Sean Howard, 17, and Antonio Williamson, 16, the boys were ordered to remain in the adult system. Court documents allege the defendants shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School.

Jurors deliberating on the E/C murder trial claim to be hung.

Here's the link to the New York Times story about Leonard Hamm's heroin-addicted stepdaughter, Nicole Sesker. Also interesting details about the police's public relations campaign to get people to "change their lifestyles." (And how Smalltimore that Cummings and Hamm live next door to each other and they both went to City College with Schmoke)

Are O'Malley and the gov's ideas of tracking sex offenders too out there?

In Timonium, Baltimore county, another report of a big black rapist.

In Elkton, the man charged with starving the mother of his children to death has asked for a change for venue from Cecil County.

Gilbert Sapperstein, owner of a boiler business and a liquor license broker, got 18 months in jail for trying to steal more than $3.3 million from the school system in a 12-year scheme. And in Stevenson, 40-year-old Daniel Llewellyn of Towson pled guilty to stealing more than $55, 000 from the Odyssey School (which serves dyslexic children).

The DOJ has reports of some recent coke and meth arrests in Annapolis and Severna Park, respectively.

Dirty bird dept: pugalistic pitcher Sydney Ponson was arrested on 95 for a traffic violation, DUI and DWI.

August 24

A shooting victim in the Northwest was identified as Derrell Mark Stanley, 46, a ticket scalper. There was also a on-fatal shooting on the 5500 block of the Alameda.

A man was shot dead late Saturday night/early Sunday morning near Patterson Park. Source' on the Sun News Talk says that the victim was a white man named Richard Boroughs and one indivdual reports:

... just got back from visiting the parents of the young man. He said it happened around 3:00a.m. around Eastern Ave & Patterson park ... From talking to the girl who was assaulted here is what he told me: Around 3am his son was taking a shower when three black men in ski masks broke in through the back door. His girlfriend was then pistol whipped and basically beaten the **** out of her. She was on the floor trying to cover her face with a blanket as they repeatedly kicked her about the head and face. My neighbor's son came out of the shower and they proceeded to shoot him in the face 3-4 times. What, was taken, I don't know. I'm sure there is more to it.

I talked to Officer Troy Harris with Public Affairs, who confirmed that the victim's name was Richard Paul Boroughs, a white man age 25, born June 14 1980. He was pronounced dead at Hopkins shock trauma at 3:52 a.m. Said Harris, "he was in the house with his girlfriend and in ths shower, three black males entered the home, beat her, asked her where the money was, then they went into the bathroom and shot the victim multiple times. That's all we have right now."

Note to the people who are outraged that there's no coverage of it in the Sun: I'm outraged also about the lack of coverage of murder and violence in general, that's why I do this job (that and to avoid my other job). But have you heard anything about any of this week's other murder victims other than in the ink either? Did you hear anything about 20-year-old Tavon Granger? There's no conspiracy-- that's just how common and unremarkable murder and death is in our and so many other American cities.

The juvenile transfer hearing of Percy Johnson, 17, and Sean Howard, 17, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Antonio Williamson, 16, 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 the defendants shot two teenagers on October 21, 2004 in front of Thurgood Marshall High School at 5700 Moravia Drive. A juvenile transfer hearing motion has been heard and denied for Williamson. A trial date will be scheduled once the transfer hearing motions for Johnson and Howard are heard. All three defendants are currently being held on a no bail status at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

Nine years later no one knows who killed Johns Hopkins graduate student Alicia Showalter Reynolds, but police believe it was part of a string of attacks on women by the so-called Route 29 Stalker, who may or may not be 37-year-old Darrell D. Rice.

It's day seven of deliberations in the Espinoza/Canela trial. The AP reports that these jurors are asking a lot of questions.

Andre Staton was arraigned Tuesday. He is accused of stabbing 26-year-old Beverly Yohn to death in Pennsylvania, and was arrested 18 months ago after fleeing to Baltimore and standing off with city and federal authorities.

Last Saturday cops found a collection of 69 "strange" guns, including an Uzi, MAC-10 and big game rifle, from the home and garage of Anthony Felicetti. (Thanks Jay. Is Delwood down in the area the realtors call "West Virginia?").

Police Commish Leonard Hamm revealed that his daughter is a drug addict.

August 23

Jurors in the Epinzoa/Canela trial were reprimanded for not participating in deliberations.

In the trial of Javon Clark and John Kennedy, Clark tried to put the blame on his younger co-defendant for the shooting of St. Paul's dean William Bassett at the Towsontown Mall.

A bail hearing will be held this afternoon for the third defendant in the Smoot murder case.

John William Smith, 40, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Wanda K. Heard in connection to a stabbing at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church on June 18. Smith was indicted by the Baltimore City Grand Jury on July 25 for first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and weapons counts. Court documents allege Smith stabbed Rodney Dickerson, 42, once in the chest. Smith and Dickerson allegedly began arguing in the church's dining area while eating dinner. Police arrested John William Smith on July 1.

Murder arrests, a gunman on the loose and a thirty-year sentence for home invasion in the Sun's Metro digest.

Stolen cell phones and cash in the blotter.

August 22

A Howard County District Court judge set bail for alledged Smoot murders James Hatcher and Nathan Colbert this morning at $100,000.

August 19

A man was arrested in the body-in-the-safe case.

On Tuesday the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted former correctional officers Dameon Christopher Woods, 33, of Baltimore County, Nathan Delmont Colbert, 42, of North Loudon Avenue and Leonard Hatcher, 43, of Thomas Avenue, for second-degree murder in connection to the beating death of Raymond K. Smoot, 51. Second-degree murder carries a maximum possible prison term of thirty years. Smoot was in custody in his cell May 14 at the Central Booking and Intake Facility. Colbert and Hatcher were arrested today and are in custody. There is a warrant issued for Woods' arrest. At the time of the indictment, arrest warrants were issued. A bail review will be scheduled for next week in Baltimore City Circuit Court. An arraignment will be scheduled at a later date.

Shane Burton, 20, of North Clinton Street, Ronald Sturgiss, 21, of Parkton and Dominic Warren, 21, of Parson Avenue were scheduled for arraignment at 9:30 this morning. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted all three men for first-degree murder and conspiracy to first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Jerry Evans. If convicted, the maximum sentence the defendants could face is life in prison. Court documents allege that on June 16 police officers responded to the 1100 block of McAleer Court for a shooting. Evans was later pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The defendants were identified through eyewitness accounts.

Crazy shit in the countryside dept.: Sixty-seven year-old Ralph Manna was convicted of trying to solicit the murders of his ex-wife and his own son from jail (Myersville is out west between Frederick and Hagerstown). There's a big black rapist on the loose in Hebbville. And in Elkton, Kathleen Zeman was acquitted after being accused of starving her boyfriend's wife to death.

The CP covers Bmore's surveillance cameras, and the murder ink includes some gruesome tales.

Maryland is the second stop in sniper John Muhammad's four-state court tour.

August 17

At a hearing today, Bradford Mulcahy, 25, of Towson, pled guilty to automobile manslaughter before Judge Lynn Stewart. Under terms of the plea agreement announced in open court, Mulcahy will receive four-years in prison when formally sentenced October 12. On February 15, 2005 Baltimore City Police observed Bradford Mulcahy engaged in a possible narcotics violation and attempted to pull his vehicle over to investigate. Mulcahy failed to stop and proceeded the wrong way in the 1500 block of West Baltimore Street where he struck and killed a pedestrian, Stephen Cage, 46. Mulcahy crashed into a building in the 1200 block of West Baltimore Street and was apprehended after a brief foot chase.

A peek behind the petticoats of Baltimore's liquor license trade.

Suprise to no one Dept.: in Cumberland a guy the neighborhood kids called Mr. Tickles has been arrested for trying to abduct and eight-year-old.

August 15

Two men in their early 20's were fatally shot in separate incidents in South Baltimore and Edmonson Village.

Closing arguements went down today in the Espinoza/Canela trial, and the jury has begun deliberations.

A 17-year-old Marcus Bradford of Bowie has been charged as an adult in connection with a shooting the buttocks of a 21-year-old student on campus at the University of Maryland.

In Salisbury six-month old hit-and-run victim Briana Braxton died, and both her father Brian and her mother are under arrest.

Robert Manger of South Baltimore got 15 years for child sexual abuse.

A former Jessup corrections officer, Rasheem Jamal Robinson, is under arrest for dealing coke.

Two attempted-murder arrests, a stabbing and lots of stealing in the blotter.

Maryland's juvenile offenders may be sent to Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Trial starts tomorrow for Patrick Walsh, accused ringleader and cheeky monkey in the Charles County arson case.

August 14

Frank McCreary of Crofton and Carmelo Vizzi of Perry Hall got one and two years for bribery. McCreary was a Realty Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Baltimore who steered property repair contracts to Vizzi in exchange for kickbacks of $250 to $600 per contract.

"Hello, Finksburg police? Rascals have purloined my latex gloves and back issues of Black Inches from my Ford Probe!"

Escaped convict Eric Curley was captured in Camden, Delaware.

Ed Norris gave an interview to JZ.

Teenagers buying drugs were stabbed at Laurel Mall.

The Mid-Atlantic Cold Case Homicide Investigators Association held its first convention in Annapolis.

August 12

Today the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Euerildo Vasquez, 27, of Belair Road in connection with the kidnapping of a two-year old boy. Court documents allege that Vasquez took the boy from the El Salvadore Restaurant located at 207 South Broadway, hailed a cab, and forced the child inside. The taxi driver became suspicious and signaled two Baltimore City police officers that were in the area. They arrested Vasquez and the boy was retuned to his parents in the restaurant. Vasquez is currently being held on $500,000 bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

James Smith and Jason Mack will get a new attempted-robbery trial because the defense was not allowed to present evidence to the jury proving that some white people can't tell one black guy from another.

Willies Dept.
The body of 37-year-old Robin Hoey was found in a safe in a South Baltimore business, and there's a "person of interest" being sought in the case. "The owner of Safes and Security Systems on Lorena Avenue called police Tuesday evening after he noticed a strange smell and found a pool of blood."

Richard E. Kyle, a public school teacher in Frederick, was found guilty of second-degree assault for kissing and touching a 17-year-old who was one of his daughter's friends.

An arrest in the shooting of Sharrice Cabbagestalk, six stolen crabs, domestic assault etc. in the blotter.

Reports of an escape attempt at Jessup on Wednesday that was thwarted. And in OC the manhunt continues for an escaped prisoner, 34-year-old Eric Curley.

What is with these hit-and-run drivers? In Salisbury a man fled the scene of a two-car crash where his six-month old child and his babymomma were injured.

Speaking of crappy fathers, Maryland's 12 days of child support amnesty ends tomorrow.

August 11

I'm glad to hear that the hit-and-run killer of 11-year-old Damon Jackson Jr. has turned herself in.

In Baltimore, local police helped tarheels get their man. Jesus Rios, 24, was arrested for a murder three years ago in Charlotte, NC. He was on Charlotte's 10 most wanted list but he's now awaiting extradition.

The defense rested in the Espinoza/Canela trial.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Steven Richie Craft, 39, for the attempted first-degree murder of Baltimore City Police Officer Edward Mendez via striking him with a stolen vehicle. Craft was also indicted for first-degree and second-degree assault and car theft. Court documents allege that on July 16 Officer Mendez Edwards approached the stolen 2005 Toyota Camry at a gas station when Craft put the vehicle in reverse and at a high rate of speed struck Officer Mendez, sending the officer into the air. The officer was transported to Shock Trauma due to head, back, and shoulder injuries. Craft was later arrested on July 17.Craft is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status. An arraignment is scheduled for September 11 before Judge Lynn Stewart.

In the always-saucy Hometown Annapolis beat, some loud-partying women, some crack, attempted murder and a jailbreak.

August 10

Added to the tally this week: six murders, all shootings, all black. Total so far this year: 171.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Antoine Adams, 32, of the 500 Block of Patterson Park Avenue yesterday on two counts of first-degree murder for the murders of Theresa Moore, 51, and Michael Mick, 40. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Adams on February 22. Judge John M. Glynn will sentence Antoine Adams on October 25. He faces a possible sentence of life without parole. On January 20, Adams murdered Theresa Moore and Michael Mick inside of their home in the 800 Block of Bradford Street. You may also recall that Adams and his crime partner Richard Damon were also charged for the execution-style murder-robbery of Justin Gaglione, 29, on January 14. I know at some point the pair were also wanted for robbing two other men and for the murder of Penelope Medina, don't know what happened to those charges.

The trial of Cedric Stancil, 30, is scheduled to begin at 9:00 this morning before Judge Allen L. Schwait at the Mitchell Courthouse. On March 1, 2004, the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Stancil for the July 9, 2003 shooting death of Edwin Boyd, 17, in the 2300 Block of E. Oliver Street. Stancil was also indicted for conspiracy to murder.

And Marvin Moore, 24, is scheduled for jury trial at 9:00 this morning before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy at Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Moore March 15 for child labor and illegal outsourcing, aka counts of hiring a minor to distribute heroin, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession of heroin, and possession with intent to distribute heroin on February 21 in the 1500 block of West Baltimore Street. Moore and the minor were both arrested by Baltimore City Police.

This could be interesting: Ed Norris will host the WHFS noon show.

Stolen this week in Maryland
Doors, a paddleboat, a chainsaw, a flying model airplane, bicycles, scooters, a toilet tank, the life of one 22-year- old Darnell McCoy, a radar detector, cash from the Hardee's, a license plate, a digital camera, a pop-up trailer.

August 9

Police are seeking a hit-and-run driver in a green American sedan that killed an 11-year-old boy. Also an arrest for attempted murder.

Police are seeking information about the fatal shooting of Paul Talley, 18, in the Better Waverly neighborhood. He was shot while sitting in the front passenger seat of a red Ford Taurus in the 800 block of E. 30th St Sunday night.

Eighteen-year-old Baltimorean Shawn J. Harding is wanted in Williamsburg, Virginia accused of giving a 14-year-old gin and raping her.

In Annapolis a nurse's aide got probation for spitting on a 98-year-old woman.

In Ocean City there was mayhem when a fight broke out among 150 attendees of the Funkmaster Flex Car and Boat show featuring Biz Markie. Nobody beat the Biz.

August 8

Bloody gloves were in the spotlight in the Espinoza/Canela trial.

In Moscow, Pravda writer Igor Parfnenko is outraged that a story of eight-year-old Harford County boy, Denis Uritsky, starved to death by his Sunday-school-teaching foster parents, didn't even make the front page of the Sun.

Carl Preston Evans, who I as reported on July 26 was wanted by police for killing his 13-year-old stepdaughter and settliong her house on fire, was caputured.

21-year-old Theodore N. Ross was fatally shot Saturday night at a party in east Baltimore.

A man on the national Terrorism Watch List was arrested in Baltimore County during a traffic stop on Reisterstown Road.

It's a postponeathon down at the courthouse this a.m.: the murder trial of Tyrone Beane, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until October 7 before Judge Sylvester Cox because no courtroom was available.

The murder trial of Kenneth Worrell, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed at the request of the State until October 24 before Judge Sylvester Cox, for unknown resaons.

The trial of Charles Carroll, originally scheduled for this Thursday, was postponed at the request of the defense until October 25.

How many drug addicts are on the streets of Baltimore? What is the sound of one hand clapping?

Six teenagers were stabbed in two incidents on Friday, and there's suggestion that the stabbings may be related to a Salvadorean branch of MS-13.

August 5

Christopher Nathan Porter, 17, is scheduled for arraignment 9:30 Monday, August 8. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Porter July 6, 2005 for first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony crime of violence, and handgun on person in connection with the fatal shooting of Damon Aldridge, 23. Court documents allege that on May 15 police officers with emergency medial personnel responded to 100 Diener Place for a shooting. Aldridge was found lying unresponsive on the pavement suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and torso and was pronounced dead at the scene. Porter was identified through eyewitness accounts.

At a hearing today, Dana (a man) White, 36, pled guilty to attempted second-degree murder and first-degree burglary. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced him to 20 years in prison. On November 26, 2004 White broke into his "girlfriend's" West Saratoga Street home through the rear basement window armed with a butcher knife. During the course of the ensuing argument, White stabbed the victim 11 times all about her body. The victim went to a neighbor, who called for help, and she was transported to shock trauma.

An arrest in the murder of 23-year-old Angel Simms, a drug arrest and various theiving in the blotter.

Baltimore's surveillance cameras were indespensible in identifying the murderer of 21-year-old Darrell Winston.

A 21-year-old rapper called D-Rack racked up a 10-year sentence for selling the yayo.

August 4

Five murders this week, 164 this year.

EW, a human torso was found bobbing in the harbor in front of the Cheesecake Factory last night after a paddleboat employee saw crabs having a feeding frenzy by the dock. "When he it with a pole the object flipped over and revealed ribs. That's when he called police .. a mystery in the water ... a body part in the crown jewel of Baltimore" says JZ's Sharon Lee in the video. Who writes those scripts? I would have led with "Tourists in town for the Maryland Precious Angel Pageant are going Kosher tonight after seeing some unexpected scenery at the harbor..." and wrapped with "certainly something for diners to think about, Bob, before they order the fried crab rangoon."

A forensic scientist was cross-examined this morning in the Espinoza trial.

Kenneth Earl Barnes, Jr., 43, of the 500 block of West University Parkway, is scheduled to be re-arraigned 9:30 Friday morning 2005 before Judge Wanda Keyes Heard, 523 Courthouse East, 111 North Calvert Street. Barnes is charged with failing to register as a sex offender and trespassing on school property. The criminal information alleges that on April 14 Barnes trespassed on school property and failed to maintain his registration by providing accurate address information that is required by Maryland law. The maximum prison sentence Barnes is facing three years for failing to maintain his registration by providing accurate address information and one year for trespassing on school property. Meanwhile Howard county police are vowing to perform spot checks to stay on the trail of sex offenders who give false addresses.

In Edgewood this week cops found <63k of green and white stuff. Alan Lyall, Justin Feronti and Stephen Carpenter presumably do not have Pell grants in their futures.

August 3

Florida's toughest soap salesman (and Baltimore's most famous Victoria's Secret shopper) Ed Norris will be released from home detention Friday. Welcome back, big spender... thanks again for sending the musical panties at Christmas. Speaking of musicals, are the rumors true that you and John Waters are in talks for a biopic? Lunch on me, the least I can do after all those lap dances you picked up over the years? Anywhere but the Polo Grill.

In the Espinoza trial, jurors heard evidence of a second knife.

Unless you've been living in a cave you know that our Dirty Bird Raffy tested positive for steriods, but claimed that he took them 'unintentionally.' The lastest is that said steriod was a powerful anabolic-- not something easily slipped into a cocktail.

Blogger Matthew Yglesias poated a noteworthy link: the press release from the Mayor's Office from nine months ago that claims Baltimore has a dramatic reduction in violent crime. So my questions are, first, are these numbers accurate? Second, how do they compare to the per-capita reductions in other American cities? And finally, how do these facts relate to the Freakonomics abortion theory? Discuss.

August 1

We're up to 159 murders, says the ink. Twenty of the murders this year have been in the Northern.

A Baltimore City jury convicted Kevin Scott, Jr., 15, today of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and armed robbery after eight days of testimony and one and a half days of deliberation. Judge Paul A. Smith will sentence Scott September 20. He faces a maximum prison sentence of life plus 45 years. On September 13, 2004 Scott attempted to rob the victim, Christopher Richardson, 15, in the 2800 block of West North Avenue. A struggle ensued over the gun Scott wielded, a .22 caliber handgun, and Richardson was shot twice during that struggle. Scott then ran several feet away, returned, and shot Richardson three more times before taking an unknown amount of money from his pocket. Richardson was shot a total of five times, four times in the head.

July 26

Carl Preston Evans, 35, is wanted for killing his 13-year-old stepdaughter, Breaunna Floyd, and setting her house on fire, with her and Evans' 8-month-old son, Mosett K. Evans, inside.

Were the Quezada and Espinoza children killed because their mother rebuffed an advance from 18-year-old Adan Canela?

In the Blotter, 17-year-old Shane Burton was arrested for murder. And there was burglary, assault, robbery, theft.

July 25

Following the arrests of a Baltimore man and two York PA guys for a heroin ring, the York Daily Record took readers on a soul-searing ride through the underworld of high school drug use. No, the kids aren't getting "high" on walking over Route 372 any more, and fishermen and eagles aren't the focus. Now they're "car surfing" and possibly smoking something called "skunkweed." And "in the cloak of night" there are rumors of some kind of Asian candy, and maybe a meth trailer in the woods.

Angel Simms, 23, was stabbed to death in the neck last Monday, and an unidentified man was shot, both in the Northeast.

Thanks to DNA evidence, the Severna Park rapist is facing some serious time.

I see Dan Rodericks and I have outrage in common.

Qué día es él? Es el día 12 del ensayo de Espinoza y de Canela.

Blottertime: in Baltimore City, lots of robberies. Stolen bicycles and steaks, prostitution and assault in the Anne Arundel County blotter. Stolen in Carroll County: Marlboros, floodlights, a $40 Victoria's Secret gift card. In Harford County, a meth lab in a trailer by the cow pasture. And in Howard County 23-year-old 23-year-old Nyema Wilson was shot in the bum.

July 24

Ogden Coleman, 21, was found guilty of killing 15-year-old Quartrina K. Johnson.

In the Metro Digest, police are seeking a suspect in a murder in 1992, and there's an update on the Espinoza case.

Was it one of the city's biggest cop/drug dealer conspiracies, or was a cop trying to get an informant's help? That's the question in the case of the feds vs. Sgt. Jeremiah Kelly.

Baltimorean David Burton, 50, is under arrest in Shrewsbury Township, PA, charged with running a heroin ring.

Rodericks is getting strident. And another Sun article, "Criminal, Victim are Often One."

July 22

Good news of the day: the abducted Frederick woman, 19-year-old Delmy Rivera, was found alive in Texas.

It's the first day of testimony in the trial of Kevin Scott Jr., who was 14 when he alledgedly shot and killed Christopher Richardson, 15.

July 21

A suspect has been arrested in the Severna Park rape: 36-year-old Rodrick Lee Wen.

Gary Adams, 58, of Dundalk, has been missing from the parking lot of the Merritt Boulevard Rite Aid since June 17. Mr. Adams is 5' 4", caucasian, about 150 pounds and grey-haired.

The state rested its case yesterday against Anthony Switzer, 17, accused of firing randomly into a passing vehicle for the heck of it and killing Doray Delonte.
(Love JZ's new page design. Very classy.)

July 20

Here's this week's Muder Ink. A black got whacked by the Blacks in Wax museum. And near St. Joe's monastery, and in Waverly, and by the Pizza Pizza. All in all six black guys, mostly young, bringing the city's murder toll this year to 152. As per usual the motives are unknown.

Forty-nine year old Levi Andre White shot and killed his former boss, Dennis Wilson, and was then shot by police. JZ reports that it was Baltimore's second workplace shooting in two weeks.

Bloody gloves were introduced in the Espinoza case.

A 19-year-old, Delmy Beatriz Rivera, left, is missing and believed to be abducted in Frederick.

Police have released a photo of the Severna Park rapist (though said photo doesn't appear to be published anywhere).

"It's so Sopranos" Dept:
Issuing a parking ticket to city "consultant" George C. Grimes Jr. got a meter maid cuffed.

Seventy-year-old Alvin Kotz pled guilty to money laundering and running a gambling business out of Timpano's Italian Chop House in Rockville.

July 19

The new justice, John Bob Junior, looks like Rush Chairman of Pi Kappa Psi.

After a day and a half of testimony, Leighton Rose, 31, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Rose's trial began Monday, but he pled guilty today. Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced Rose to life in prison, with all butt 40 years suspended. On January 15, 2004 Rose shot in the head and killed Romel Pittman, 30, in the 2400 block of East Eager Street. Police in the area, including a Police helicopter, observed the suspect fleeing the scene and Rose was apprehended a short time later on North Castle Street.

The murder trial of Kevin Scott, 14, of Dukeland Street is scheduled to begin 10:30 this morning before Judge John N. Prevas at the Courthouse East on North Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Scott October 13, 2004 for first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon. Court documents allege Scott murdered Christopher Richardson, 15, on September 13, 2004 in the 2800 block of West North Avenue. Scott remains held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Fraling of the Homicide Division will prosecute the case.

From the CP archives: a 2000 Lee Gardiner piece, Murder One: A Baltimore Killing Behind the Numbers.