Life Plus 55 Years for Armed Carjacker

A Baltimore City jury returned guilty verdicts late Friday, January 18, 2007 and convicted Adrian Outten, 21, of the 5100 block of Sekots Road of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, armed carjacking, robbery deadly weapon, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, and possession of handgun counts. The two-day trial began January 16, 2008. Details:

Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Outten to a total of life in prison plus 55 years: life for the attempted murder and consecutive terms of 20 years for the handgun crime of violence count, 30 years for the armed carjacking count and five years for the handgun possession count.

On June 4, 2006 at approximately 5:30 p.m. police responded to Sekots and Pickwick Roads for a shooting. Upon arrival police found a male victim suffering non-life-threatening injuries to both legs. The victim was working as an unlicensed taxi driver when he picked up Outten on Park Heights Avenue and drove him to the 5100 block of Sekots where Outten left the car and stated he would be right back. Outten returned armed with a gun and ordered the victim out of the car, telling him to run. Outten then shot him in the lower legs and Outten fled in the victim’s car.

On June 12, 2006 the car was located and towed to police headquarters and processed for fingerprints. On June 20, 2006 a fingerprint “hit” was found from the car’s rearview mirror and matched to Adrian Outten. The victim is shown a photo array and identifies Outten as the person who carjacked and tried to murder him.

Assistant State's Attorney and Cross-designated United State’s Attorney Traci Robinson of the Firearms Investigation Violence Enforcement (FIVE) Division prosecuted this case.

Eight Years for Murderer of Lennard Benjamin

At a hearing today, Lonnie Edwards, 23, of the 100 block of Haven Street, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Edwards to 30 years in prison suspend all but eight years for the murder, a consecutive eight years in prison for the drug count and three years' probation.

On June 21, 2005 Edwards was found standing over Lennard Benjamin, 23, in their cell at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Benjamin was unconscious lying face down on the floor and had sustained severe head trauma. Benjamin was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital were he died two days later.

Assistant State’s Attorney Douglas D. Guidorizzi of the Homicide Division will prosecute this case.

Guilty Verdicts for Perp Who Mowed Down Officer

From the SA's office, edited for style and clarity:

A Baltimore City jury returned guilty verdicts late Friday, January 18, 2007 and convicted Justin Fauntleroy*, 22, of the 2900 block of Kaycee Lane of first-degree assault, distribution of cocaine and a handgun violation. The two day trial began January 16, 2008. Judge John A. Howard scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2008. Details:

On December 8, 2006 between 10:45 p.m. and midnight in the 500 block of Orchard Street, police observed Fauntleroy and other co-defendants engaging in suspected narcotics transactions and called for an arrest team. While waiting for the arrest team, police observed Fauntleroy continue to engage in a suspected narcotics transaction. Fauntleroy and the other co-defendants left the block in a vehicle heading north toward Druid Hill Ave. Police pursued the vehicle and stopped it at Martin Luther King Blvd. and Fayette St., identifying themselves as officers. The driver was removed from the vehicle and arrested, but Fauntleroy, while in the passenger seat, shifted the vehicle into drive and drove straight into Sgt. Steven Ward, throwing him up onto the hood, and then clear from the vehicle.

Sgt. Ward was taken to Shock Trauma with injuries to his arms and neck and was released later that evening. The vehicle drove down MLK and onto 295/ Russell St. while being pursued by police. The vehicle eventually got caught in traffic and Fauntleroy and a co-def surrendered. Police recovered a .38 caliber handgun.

Co-defendants Troy Walker and James Bruce pleaded guilty in July 2007 to CDS possession and handgun counts. Assistant State's Attorney Staci Pipkin of the Narcotics Division prosecuted this case.

* Wonder if there's any relation to Dale?

January 23

Lisa Holley was hospitalized for a week after being beaten in her home on the 2700 block of Pelham Ave. Holley died on Monday, and her boyfriend has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Anna Ditkoff takes a look at the homicides at 2007. There are also some very interesting statistics, and (of course) a few new names and updates in Murder Ink.

AAC police have officially said that the double murder in Annapolis was, in fact, a double murder. In the same article, a cabby in Annapolis totally screwed up a robber's plan.

50-year-old Dr. Lorraine Fertsch has been missing since Sunday, when she was last seen near Union Memorial.

Alleged convenience store robber Gary Carpenter tried and convicted himself at the Cecil County jail.

Sean Nelson Smith got convicted, but Nicholas Porter and Vance Major got off. Meanwhile, the Sun offers a look at the life of Smith and his activist mother, Mildred Samy.

Justin Switzer got 13 years for making meth in an AAC cemetery. Now, he just wants to "get back into college."

A bit more about the case of the Charles Village stabber. (Wasn't that an Encyclopedia Brown book?)

I'm confused. Last week, Dr. Sharfstein said we needed to get illegal bupe off the streets. Today, an article in the Examiner reports that the good doctor says illegal bupe is overhyped. What's the deal?

Servers Targeted?

From a Roland Park neighborhood crime alert:
"Last night, January 21, at approximately 8:45 pm, a female employee of Loco Hombre was taking a break in the back of the restaurant and was approached by a male who demanded her apron. She did not have one. He rummaged through her pockets and took $5, black book of customer credit card receipts, and her cell phone.

Deputy Major Smith reported that detectives are assigned to this case and that he is fairly certain that this was a crime of opportunity and it does not match any robbery trends in the area."

It may not constitute a trend (yet), but this does sound similar to the robbery of three employees of the nearby Ambassador Dining Room on January 1, and there have been a higher-than-usual number of "opportunity" thefts in the Evergreen area lately, so be advised, Tuscans, Evergreeners and waitstaffs.

.. in other news, 70-year-old Marie Bellamy pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return, which helped one Joseph Poteat, age 61, of Danville, Virginia, bilk "investors" out of $17 million in an old-fashioned pyramid scheme.

January 22

George Dyson just pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon, and got 18 years for his deeds.

On May 27, 2007 at approximately 4:30PM Dyson stabbed a 57-year-old woman multiple times while she was walking home from the grocery store in the 100 block of E. 26th St. near the corner of St. Paul St. She suffered a collapsed lung. This is Dyson's third robbery with a deadly weapon conviction.

Mayor Moyer's two recently murdered constituents were shot to death.

Apparently, Daewoos and groceries are hot on the carjacking scene.

Brandon Morris chose to let a judge determine his sentence.

Sarah Kreager's attorneys seem to be hoping that things aren't as safe and reliable as the MTA says.

Isaiah Simmons' family is calling for manslaughter charges.

Kathleen Ann Harris pleaded guilty to hooking up high school kids with lots of fun things that end in "done."

A bill was introduced yesterday to standardize punishments for cyberbullying. Perhaps cyberasskickings would be a fitting punishment?

Dumb cops might have a new potential employer.

Worse to Worser Dept.

Deputy Mayor Salima "They just don’t have no black people up in there like that" Marriott holds a doctorate from Howard, was a member of the faculty Morgan State University for 24 years, and while in the house of delegates served on at least four educational committees.
Wow.
(Thanks Cynic)

January 21

Two victims were ID'd this morning. The man shot last week on Cliftmont Ave. was 19-year-old Isaiah McKeiver, and the man who was killed on Saturday night on Holbrook St. was identified as 20-year-old Effrem Devon Kearney.

A key witness is missing, and the case against alleged triple-shooter Vincent Berry is on hold. Another potential witness in the case was murdered in November even though he wasn't snitching.

Deputy Mayor Salima Siler Marriott talks about her son, Patrice, who was recently indicted on federal gun charges.
QTD: "You can’t enter corporate at 27, black, 250 pounds, 6-foot-4. They just don’t have no black people up in there like that."

Walter Buczynski didn't kill himself and his wife because his subprime mortgage company was in the crapper, or so says fellow executives at the Columbia company that is "financially circling the drain."

Jason Blizzard of Taneytown is in serious condition after allegedly being stabbed by his 16-year-old brother, Ryan.

Wow. Witnesses and a victim worked with effective cops to arrest a criminal. Weird.

It's good to see some under appreciated weapons getting some face time.

Criminal tip for the day: If you're part of a successful, international car theft ring, don't leave your cell phone behind.

Politicians in Annapolis are spinning their wheels and blowing hot air.

Iris, one of only 71 dogs in the country who is trained to search for accelerants in suspected arson cases, is retiring from the AAC fire department. And should Iris ever be in need of a transfusion, you can help her out.

January 20

An unidentified man was shot to death at about 9:30 last night in the 1500 block of Holbrook St., behind the Green Mount cemetery.

The headline "Young life taken on a troubled block in the city" is nearly identical to the one that ran for the story on Edward Smith in Cherry Hill, but this time the victim is 18-year-old Collin Mazyck and the troubled block is 2700 Tivoly Ave.

Mayor Moyer (wow, that's fun to say) eloquently addresses Friday's double murder of Cecelia Brown and Charles Cully: "It's not a good day. When we got to thinking that disputes get settled with guns, I don't know." I don't know either, Mayor.

Marvin Little was charged with murdering 27-year-old Derrin Thomas in a pickup truck near the Arundel Mills mall on January 10.

Jason T. Blizzard was stabbed in the 100 block of E. Baltimore St. in Taneytown (Carroll County) and is in serious condition.

There might've been a third man involved in the August murders of Dequincey Antonio Smith and Dontay Lamont Williams in Brooklyn Park.

Perhaps Dundalk resident David Abrams has learned that bad things happen if you lunge at cops while holding a knife.

Firefighter Fatima Hawkins was allegedly dealing coke and pot.

13-year-old Daniel Joseph Tasker ran away from his BaltCo home on January 8, and hasn't been seen since. Have you seen him?

Poe has been toasted.

Freakonomics does The Wire, episode 2

Sudhir Venkatesh watched the second episode of The Wire with his thug pals, and published their thoughts on the Freakonomics blog.

January 18

One of last night's murders happened on the same block where the city is razing abandoned houses; the other happened just a few blocks east of where Patterson High senior and aspiring future police officer Christopher Clarke was killed in crossfire last year.

If the stats are accurate, though, we've had eight murders compared to 17 at this time last year. Bealefeld, if you ever want a beer, I'm buying.

A man was shot Wednesday night in the 2300 block of Wheatley Dr. in the Southwestern. Also in the Blotter: a stubborn jackass on E. 25th St., armed robberies in Essex and Towson, and some stolen beer cans.

Brandon Morris: The jury's out.

Sean Nelson Smith: Guilty.

Michael Gagnon: Not Guilty. (Or so he says.)

The Bermudez brothers went postal, and now they're going to prison.

"Dozens of supporters of a Whiteford couple accused of starving their adopted son to death crammed into a room in Harford County Circuit Court yesterday for the first day of the couple's trial." Uh... why in the world do they have dozens of supporters?

A psych patient who was recently arrested on assault charges decided to leave the crazy house.

Two Murders

Report of two murders last night: one man found shot in an alley at about 7 p.m. in the 3500 block of Cliftmont Ave., and an unidentified person in the 2700 block of Tivoly Ave. at about 11 p.m.

January 17

There are several substantial stories on Mr. Hallback today, but nobody can agree on how to spell the guy's first name: The Sun writes Zachariah, The Examiner, WYPR and WBAL TV have Zecariah, WJZ follows the City Paper and brings Zechariah to the table, and ABC2 News has more important things to cover than murdered teenagers who were working on education reform.
A viewing for Hallenback will be held on Friday from 3-7 p.m. at the Chavis Funeral Home, 2007 Eastern Ave. The funeral is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Saturday at Israel Baptist Church, Preston and Washington.

The guy with the post about Mr. Hallback and the "Stop Snitching" photo that inspired some discussion in yesterday's comments promises that he'll explain his rationale for using that image on his site.

Soman Narayanan Thamby is now facing first-degree murder charges for fatally stabbing his wife, Lesa Lynn Thamby, last year.

The Bowling Brook counselors might get off on their reckless endangerment charges.

Jurors are deliberating about Sean Nelson Smith's innocence. Or lack thereof.

A nurse called 911 to say she saw Brandon Morris shoot prison guard Jeffery Wroten, but the jury won't hear it because the nurse might not have actually seen the shooting.

Dr. Sharfstein wants to reduce illegal bupe on the streets. Yeah, because the city has been so successful in reducing other illegal drugs here.

Stupid a-hole.

From the Algebra Project

We mourn the loss of Zachariah Hallback, a wonderful young man who had participated in many Algebra Project events, and who was helping to organize for the action below. Zach was shot Wednesday, Jan. 9 during a robbery while he waited with other Algebra Project youth for a bus across the street from City College High School. He was pronounced dead on Friday, Jan. 11. The students have decided to continue with this action in his memory.

- STUDENT ACTION --CSI ANNAPOLIS-- NOW SCHEDULED FOR *FEB. 6*
- Please join them, Silent March to the State House begins at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb 6, from Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West Street, Annapolis.
- RIDES NEEDED FOR PARENTS--PLEASE CALL 410-338-0679 TO HELP.
- DEMANDS INCLUDE:
- Reverse cuts to Thornton Funding -- school system must currently cut $50 million to balance 2009 budget
- Jobs in the knowledge-based economy for all youth
- $800 million for Baltimore schools as ordered by court
- Arts for all students; Buildings repaired, not closed; Class sizes capped at 20.
- Quality Education as a Constitutional Right.
- Some students will perform a die-in to dramatize the cost of inadequate education, and the Governor's Mansion will be wrapped in crime-scene tape.

For more information, Call 410-338-0679

Jay

UPDATE: The Sun covers a vigil at the scene of the killing.

40 Years for Killer of Andrew Levi Jackson

At a hearing yesterday, Earl Bazemore, 20, of the 2500 block of E. Fayette Street pled guilty to first degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Robert Kershaw sentenced Bazemore to life in prison suspending all but 40 years and five years probation.

Co-defendant Victor Miller, 21, of the 2000 block of W. Eutaw Street pled guilty January 7, 2008 to conspiracy to commit murder and use of a handgun in a crime of violence for his role as lookout. Judge Kershaw sentenced Miller to 50 years in prison suspending all but 25 years and five years probation.

In the early morning hours of September 25, 2006 Police found the body of Andrew Levi Jackson, 26, in the area of the 3200 block of Mt. Royal Terrace. Mr. Jackson had been shot execution style three times in the back of the head. Three .38 caliber bullets were recovered during the autopsy of Mr. Jackson.

On September 27, 2006, Earl Bazemore and Victor Miller were in a gold-colored Honda Accord that was stopped by police in the 6300 block of Hudson Street. A handgun was recovered from the vehicle. The ballistics examination performed revealed the gun recovered from the vehicle was the same gun used to shoot and kill Andrew Levi Jackson.

Homicide Detectives learned from the two other occupants of the car that
Earl Bazemore, whose nickname was “Killer B” and Victor Miller, also known as “.40 Cal” had bragged about killing Mr. Jackson. The witnesses told police how Bazemore and Miller lured the victim into the secluded area near Mt. Royal Terrace and Whitelock Street and then with Miller acting as a lookout, Bazemore shot the victim once in the back of the head and then two more times after Mr. Jackson had fallen to the floor.

The witnesses further explained that Mr. Jackson, who was a lieutenant in the L-Set of the Bloods, was killed because he was “false flagging” – misrepresenting his status inside the gang, and that Bazemore and Miller, who were members of the East Side Bounty Hunters set of the gang, were given the task of killing Mr. Jackson as punishment for this violation of the Bloods Code.

Assistant State’s Attorney E. Wesley Adams prosecuted the case.

January 16

Another shooting in Edgewood.

WJZ has an interview with Diamonte Fairley, the boy scalded and scarred for life by Shamia Lawson. His grandfather reports that he may have to have toes amputated and "may not be able to procreate without an operation."

"The stupidity of it is astounding." Lamont Thomas Harrell, 23, pleaded guilty to the 2007 murders of Allen Coates and Andre S. Jones and got 50 years for both murders and related gun charges.

Murders of Jarrell Brown, Zechariah Hallback and Willie Joyner in the "Ink," the 2004 cases of Jennifer Fischbach and Leslie Berger were closed, as was the 2007 murder of Byron Dickey.

Probation violation charges will be dropped against accused rapist Charles Carroll.

Burglary and vandalism at Bryn Mawr and Boys' Latin.

The CP has part II of the story of Fred Brooks, the drug dealer who ruined Remington.

"Violence Haunts Cherry Hill Block"

Lots of free time at work today? Check out NYT Mag's Steven Pinker pondering if morality is innate, and the various bloggy ponderings of the issue.

January 15

"The 9-year-old boy went outside without his godmother's permission. His punishment was to sit in a bathtub as the woman filled it with five pots of boiling water. When he emerged from the scalding water, the lower half of his body was covered in severe burns. The woman waited four days to take him to a hospital."
Judge Glynn gave her six months... and the Department of Social Services allowed her to keep her biological child.

A boy who was 14-ish was sot to death in the 800 block of Bethune Rd. in Cherry Hill last night at about 6:30. (Isn't it amazing that two of our first six murders happened on the same street? I took a ride down Bethune Rd. last week, and I've never seen so many people in one neighborhood wearing so many red clothes. They must all have the same tailor or something.)

The article above confirms that 18-year-old Zecariah Hallback died on Saturday after being shot at a safe and reliable bus stop at the corner of 33rd and The Alameda on Thursday night. I assume that Hallback was waiting for the infuriatingly inconsistent MTA #22, which would have dropped him off a few blocks from his home in the 3200 block of Noble St.

And the same article also IDs 18-year-old Willie Joyner as the guy who was fatally stabbed by an old man in a store in the 400 block of E. 25th St. on Saturday afternoon.

Someone got shot in the crotch on Eutaw, and a cop got bopped on the noggin on Pennsylvania Ave.

Threats against the HarCo Circuit Courthouse were made on Friday, so there's more security in Bel Air during Sean Nelson Smith's trial.

Stupid bitch.

PDJ: Registered sex offender Leon Frederick Richards was charged with stalking an 11-year-old girl in Bel Air.

Beware of teenagers in puffy coats.

Three Lanham teenagers are being held without bond for last week's PG drive-by that killed one teenage girl and injured another teenage girl and a 36-year-old man. Apparently, the girl who died wasn't the intended target.

We must've just gotten some fancy new DNA equipment or something, because two guys were just arrested in two unrelated cases involving two dead hookers from three years ago. If my math is right, we'd have one more living hooker in this town if one of the guys hadn't gotten a suspended sentence on an old assault charge.

Patrick Byers (the accused murderer who allegedly paid someone $1,000 to kill witness Carl Lackl) goes to trial today for the death of Larry Haynes, and Bernardo Leconte and Cordero Taylor are being charged as adults for stabbing a 17-year-old at the Mall in Columbia.

It's a rough time to be an allegedly incompetent social services worker in either Baltimore or DC.

The trial continues for Brandon T. Morris, who is charged with killing prison guard Jeffery Wroten.

Mom Pleads in Death of Two-Year-Old

At a hearing today Destiny D’Urso, 26, of Damascus, MD, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Under terms of the plea agreement, announced in open court before Judge Timothy J. Doory, D’Urso agreed to testify truthfully and honestly against Paul Highfield. There was no sentence agreement, but the maximum prison sentence for manslaughter is 10 years. No sentencing date was scheduled.

On September 12, 2006 Anthony Joseph D’Urso, 2, lived at 1213 E. Patapsco Ave. Destiny D’Urso, the victim’s mother, left for work leaving her son in the care of Paul Highfield. The child was healthy when she left. When she returned, the child was vomiting uncontrollably, and D’Urso noticed numerous knuckle-sized bruises on the child’s abdomen. The child continued vomiting, and was put to bed by D’Urso. The child died during the night. D’Urso never sought medical attention for the child. The Medical Examiner determined that the child died of blunt force trauma.

The murder and child abuse trial of Paul Highfield, 28, of the 4000 block of Security Lane was scheduled for March 17, 2008. D’Urso remains held on $350,000 bail. Highfield is held without bail. Assistant State’s Attorneys Julie Drake, Chief of the Felony Family Violence Division and Patricia McLane will prosecute this case.

Meanwhile, Sam Chambers, the director of the Department of Social Services, has stepped down.

January 14

We listed Zachariah Hallback over on the right side of the site, but the Sun says he's still in critical condition. For Mr. Hallback's sake, I hope the Sun got it right this time. Meanwhile, police can find neither killer nor kin for the man who was stabbed at E. 25th St. and Greenmount Ave. on Saturday.

Also in the Blotter (above link): a home invasion, an unlucky delivery guy in Essex, an arsonist who hates Ford vans in Towson, cigarette thieves in Pikesville, and morons continue to leave their shit in their cars in the Southeastern.

Robert Turner just figured out that the rules are a bit different in HoCo.

Convenience store owners might want to think twice before hiring Tiffany Harris.

Six people were arrested for robbing a bank by impersonating guards from an armored car service.

Whew. Thank goodness we don't have any crime victims, or else we'd have to care about these federal funding cuts.

The teens are triflin', yo.

January 12

An unidentified man was reportedly found dead of multiple stab wounds about 2 p.m. on the 400 block of E. 25th St. (literally on the street?)

Shoot, Shop & Save: Thursday, a man was shot in the lower torso inside a Harford Avenue grocery store.

City resident Derrin Davon Thomas was the man shot to death in an upscale community near Arundel Mills. Apparently, he was a real good guy.

What not to do when applying for a job.

Police say she cried wolf. Or bad touch. Or bad touch by a wolf. Or something.

The ambulance chasers caught the ambulance stealers.

It pays to show up for court! Down in PGC yesterday, a judge ordered rap star DMX to pay $1.5 million for defaming the mother of his bastard child in a print interview.

January 11

18-year-old Zachariah Hallback is the name of the man who was shot in the head on Wednesday while waiting for a safe and reliable bus at E. 33rd St. and The Alameda. From the way it sounds, things aren't looking so good for Mr. Hallback.

In other Blotter news (link above), a 30-year-old man was shot in the back, and a 45-year-old man got knocked off his bicycle.

An unidentified man was fatally shot in one of the hoity-toity neighborhoods next to Arundel Mills mall.

A man and woman were stabbed this morning in the 2300 block of E. Preston St., and to quote ABC2's brilliant editorial staff, "This morning police care..."

Police have identified the man who is accused of molesting a sixth-grader at Perry Hall Middle School, but they have not arrested him.

Hopefully, Gerard Damon was as tired of being free as he was of being locked up.

In bank robbery news, BaltCo police released a photo of the man who robbed the 1st Mariner Bank on Joppa Rd. in Towson on January 4th, and a clever robber at a Wachovia bank in DC got away with $100G without anyone at the bank knowing they'd been robbed.

17-year-old hammer-beater Tierra Lashawn Powell got 18 months for her violent attack on an 18-year-old woman who gave her and her friends a ride. Good to know that all the wuss judges aren't in the city.

Michael Gagnon, the alleged drunk douchebag who wiped out a Parkville family, was indicted on five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated vehicular assault. He faces up to 50 years.

In other drunk douchebag news, drunken crackhead Fontaine Pridgett pleaded guilty to killing three people who were on their way to receive kidney dialysis treatments in 2006.

The rapist in a 1992 case got nine years after his DNA was matched to evidence.

The trial of Brandon T. Morris begins today. Morris is charged with killing corrections officer Jeffery Wroten during a botched escape.

Officer Gets Probation for 'Misconduct' With 16-Year-Old in Police Station

From the SA's office: Just before his scheduled rape trial was scheduled to begin today, Baltimore Police Officer William Darrell Welch, 41, of Quiet Stream Court, Timonium, Maryland, pled guilty to misconduct in office.

Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Welch to a suspended 10-year prison term, three years' probation and ordered him to tender his resignation to the Police Department by January 14, 2008.

On July 16, 2006 Welch had sexual intercourse in the Southeastern District Station with a 16-year old girl after she had been taken into custody by another officer.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Temmi Rollock and Jennifer Williams of the Sex Offense Division prosecuted this case.

UPDATE: More from Melissa Harris.

January 10

The man found shot to death in a house on North Ave. was 30-year-old Jerrell Brown. Apparently, the house was not abandoned, as Brown was living there.

Also in the Blotter (link above): a catfight near the North Ave. light rail station (remember, the MTA is safe and reliable!), a Buddha thief in the Southern, and a very considerate armed robber in Owings Mills.

Speaking of safe and reliable, a man was found at a bus stop in the 2600 block of Dulaney St. after being shot in the leg, and another man was shot in the head at a bus stop near the City campus at E. 33rd St. and The Alameda. Neither gunshot was fatal. Yet.

An employee of a contractor working at Perry Hall Middle School sexually assaulted an 11-year-old in the girls' bathroom yesterday.

17-year-old Loren Denver White was arrested for the home invasion / robbery of a 62-year-old woman in Owings Mills. Sexual assault has been added to the list of charges against the alleged piece of shit.

If you're going to deny showing your junk to high school girls, you might not want to admit to it while the police are recording your call.

The trial against alleged cop perv William Darrell Welch is scheduled to begin today in Baltimore City Circuit Court.

The stabbing at the Mall in Columbia appears to be drug related. Visitors to the mall were reported as saying crazy things, like 'this is horrible' and 'people need to make better decisions."

The Maryland DHR is being investigated for how they handled the case of Bryanna Harris.

The victims of the Pigtown burglar speak out.

A devastated block in a city of devastated blocks is being torn down.

The old 'fireworks in the gas tank' trick.

$30 reward offered to HoCo snitches.

A man was shot in the head at a bus stop tonight at the intersection of 33rd and the Alameda. He is reportedly still alive.

Freakonomics does "The Wire"

Sudhir Venkatesh (best known for his gang studies that were analyzed in Freakonomics) evaluates the authenticity of "The Wire" with a bunch of older and experienced thugs.

More on the economics of "The Wire" from blogger "YouNotSneaky!"

January 9

Homicide #3: an unidentified man's body was found in an abandoned rowhouse in the 3000 block of W. North Ave. yesterday morning.

This week's Ink covers the last murder of '07 and the first two of a remarkably calm new year. (And for all you Anna Ditkoff fans, there's a staged reading of the 2007 Murder Ink columns by the Single Carrot Theatre. 7:00pm at 45 W. Preston St.)

A memorial service was held yesterday for the Parkville family that was killed by alleged drunk driver Michael Gagnon.

A 17-year-old was stabbed in a parking lot at the Columbia Mall, and is in critical condition at Shock Trauma.

The victim of yesterday's home invasion / robbery was a 62-year-old Owings Mills woman.

Down in PG, two teenage girls were shot in a driveby, and a 30-year-old man was accidentally hit as well.

In other DC news, crackhead Tonya Bell apologized for being such a crappy driver.

Kerri King was granted a postponement. HarCo prosecutor Dair Pillai described her as a "threat to the public and community."

The lawyer for Sean Nelson Smith said it wasn't murder, it was self-defense.

Joseph Ellis admitted he's a perv, but not that kind of perv.

Security guard Rodney Corban was acquitted, and the doctor who was allegedly attacked -- who has a $30M lawsuit pending against UMMC -- played the race card.

The 9-year-old girl who was attacked by a pit bull on Bonaparte Ave. is still in the hospital. The dog, whose body showed signs of potential dogfighting and whose owner cannot be identified, was euthanized and is being tested for rabies.

Parking agent H. West was suspended in November, and Inspector General Hilton Green is investigating the fake parking tickets.

City Paper has the first half of an interesting story about Baltimore dealer Fred Brooks.

281 in 2007

This site recorded 281 official murders in 2007, one less than "Murder Ink" has reported for the year. There are also 10 individuals that have not been officially declared homicide victims as far as we know (in fact, one of them may not be dead).
The 10 are
- Unidentified man, 1500 block of McCulloh Street (4 a.m. 5/25)
- Dontrelle Nesmith, 29, 3200 block of Normount Ave (3/21/07)
- Unidentified person, Leakin Park
- Unidentified woman, 2900 block of Ellicott Drive (5/1/07)
- Burnt body in field near Patapsco and Potee
- Unidentified decomposed body, in the Jones Falls near Chestnut Avenue (found 8/30)
- Suspicious body floating in the Harbor in Fell's Pt. near Bond Street (6/24)
- Duane Allen, 42, found floating in a swamp near the 2000 block of Annapolis Rd. (4/18/07)
- Tracy Watford, 40, in the harbor near the 2400 block of S. Hanover St. (found 12/5)
- Unidentified man, 20, 3400 block of Carlisle Ave. (before 1:30 a.m. 8/3)

And 2007's victims are:

291. Todd Dargan, 25, 900 block of N. Caroline St. (12:30 p.m. 12/28) 290. Kevin Bacon, 46, 1700 block of N. Dallas St. (noon 12/26) 289. William Harper, 36, 2400 block of Reisterstown Road (7:40 p.m. 12/24) 288. Toby MacCombie, 30, 6600 block of Vincent Lane (1:45 a.m 12/24) 287. Jason Milton Allen, 25, 2300 block of Druid Hill Ave. (8:20 p.m. 12/21) 286. Michael A. Weathers, 19, 2600 block of S. Paca Street/ 2300 block of Atlantic Avenue (12/20) 285. Lezli Williams, 22, 3200 block of Walbrook Ave. (12/18) 284. Jabari Stocks, 3, 900 block of E. Patapsco Ave. (6/8) 283. Jamal Rowlett, 20, 2500 block of Calvert St. (12/15) 282. Richard Lawson, 24, 2900 block of Chelsea Terrace (12/14) 281. Tracy Watford, 40, in the harbor near the 2400 block of S. Hanover St. (found 12/5)* 280. Artavius Tubman, 24, 6100 block of Boston St. (8:15 p.m. 12/11) 279. Lonnie Foote, 58, 2800 block of West North Avenue (d. 11/6, ruled 12/2) 278. Eugenio Harrison, 19, Forest Park Avenue and Windsor Mill Road (p.m. 12/2)
277. Ty'wonde M. Jones, 13, 5000 block of Cordelia Ave. (>9 p.m. 11/29) 276. Quentin Reddicks-Flowers, 31, 4000 block of W. Rogers Ave. (11:45 a.m. 11/27) 275. Bryanna Harris, 2, 1700 block of East 25th Street (6/5) 274. Martay Powell, 22, 2100 block of Crimea Road (10/12) 273. Michael Crowder, 33, 2400 block of Presbury St. (2 a.m. 11/26) 272. Robert Gray, 36, 1000 block of Boyd Street (10:20 p.m. 11/23) 271. Herbert Lemon, 31, 3000 block of Rosiland Avenue (11/16) 270. Kendrick Bowman, 7100 block of McLean Blvd. (11/15) 269. Frederick Davis, Fulton Avenue (beaten 2/19/99, died 6/25/07) 268. Trent Earll, 35, 4400 block of Belair Road (shot 3/27/97, died 9/4/07, ruled 10/10) 267. John Morris, 42, N. Carey and Baker Streets (11/12) 266. Carlos Smithson, 22, 2600 block of E. Grogan Avenue (p.m. 11/11) 265. Leonard Hunt, 44, 2600 block of Oswego Avenue (10:20 a.m. 11/8) 264. Terrance Regan, 16, 1600 block of Lochwood Road (10 p.m. 11/6) 263. Norman Smith, 30, 1600 block of East Eager Street (11/4) 262. Lawrence Jones, 17, 1400 block of Bonsal Street (11/2) 261. Robert Tyson, 24, 3300 block of Elmora Avenue (11/2) 260. Nathaniel Footman, 18, alley behind 3000 Woodland Avenue (9:40 p.m. 10/31) 259. Naim M. King, 31, 2400 block of Brentwood Ave. (12:30 p.m. 10/31) 258. Unidentified person, minivan parked in the 5900 block of Radecke Ave. (reported 10/29) 257. Alexander Robertson-El, 24, 700 block of Bartlett Ave. (11:15 p.m. 10/30) 256. Marlon Beckford, 31, 5800 block of Edgepark Road (4:40 a.m. 10/30) 255. Veronica Fludd, 26, Lyndhurst St. (a.m. 10/26) 254. Christopher Burden, 23, 700 block of E. Patapsco Ave. (10/25) 253. Donte Davis, 25, 4200 block of Audrey Ave. (2 a.m. 10/19) 252. Darren Mebane, 21, 1800 block of Walbrook Avenue (2:45 p.m. 10/18) 251. Qurran Holloway, 19, 3200 block of Woodland Avenue (2 p.m. 10/18) 250. Andre Bryant, 27, 2800 block of Quantico Avenue (3:38 p.m. 10/15) 249. Henry Mazyck, 39, burning car in 2100 block of Allendale Road (8 p.m. 10/15) 248. Dione Biggs, 33, 2600 block of Quantico Avenue (7 p.m. 10/14) 247. Deron Hope, 16, 1700 block of LaTrobe Street (12:45 a.m. 10/13) 246. Kevin Ware, 40, 1100 block of West Baltimore Street (9 p.m. 10/11) 245. Kwame Osafo, 21, 3400 block of Winterbourne Road (6:38 a.m. 10/10) 244. Montaz Askew, 20, 1600 block of Normal Avenue (1:30 a.m. 10/9) 243. Darwin Kelly Jr., 20, 1700 Homestead Street (2. a.m. 10/6) 242. Damon Coleman, 35, he east side of the basketball court in a public housing project, 1400 block of May Court (6 a.m. 10/6) 241. Tyrone Blanding, 30, 2300 block of Eutaw Place (evening 10/5) 240. Jason Fortune, 800 Freemont Ave. (2:40 p.m. 9/28) 239. Robert Rutledge, 2800 block of Parkwood Ave. (9/22) 238. Unidentified man, 600 block of N. Brice St. (10 a.m. 9/26) 237. Virginia Jones, 81, 3600 block of Rosedale Road (6/3) 236. Unidentified man, 5200 block of Fairlawn Ave. (6:30 p.m. 9/25) 235. Keith Ray, 24, Wyman Park, 600 Wyman Park Drive (reported 9/25)* 234. William Diven, 46, under the 41st Street Bridge, reported 9/22 233. Monea Gorham, 22, shot at the American Legion Hall in West Baltimore in 1999 (d. 9/20) 232. Darrick Harris, 40, rear alley of 2600 block of E. Chase St. (7:09 p.m. 9/19) 231. Glenn Conley, 25, 2900 block of Round Road (11:30 p.m. 9/17) 230. Richard Asare, 24, 1300 block of E. Cold Spring Lane (10:45 a.m. 9/17) 229. Channing Myrick, 26, 3400 block of Belair Road (4:30 p.m.9/16) 228. Deion Morris, 23, 3400 block of Belair Road (4:30 p.m. 9/16) 227. Tyrone Jones, 26, 1500 block of North Woodyear (11:38 p.m. 9/15 jz or 8/16 Sun) 226. Brian Smith-Hopkins, 2300 block of East Oliver Street ( 11:10 a.m. 9/15) 225. Qafim/Qasim Kaba/Kabah, 2500 block of Terra Firma Road (after midnight 9/15) 224. John J. Christen, 20, 200 block of Fredhilton Pass (1 a.m. 9/15) 223. Khonji Walton, 27, 3600 block of Elmley Ave. (12:15 a.m. 9/10, shooter Antonio Clyburn killed himself) 222. Unidentified man, 800 block of North Chester Street (2 a.m. 9/8) 221. Pauline Borum, 60, 6100 block of MacBeth Drive (8:15 a.m., 9/4) 220. Jasmine Borum, 17, 6100 block of MacBeth Drive (a.m., 9/4) 219. Davon Qualls, 17, 2500 block of Garrett Ave. (9/4) 218. Gary Watts, 21, 1300 block of N. Rosedale St. (10 p.m. 9/2) 217. Unidentified decomposed body, in the Jones Falls near Chestnut Avenue (found 8/30)* 216. Sean Blackwell, 20, 2000 block of E. Fairmount St. (8/31) 215. Kahlil Taylor, 23, 3000 block of Normount Ct. (9:30 p.m. 8/30) 214. Darnell Thomas, 23, 3100 block of Artaban Pl. (12:15 a.m. 8/30) 213. Lacy Hazel, 44, 400 block of S. Payson St. (2:45 a.m. 8/28) 212. Himank Karki, 18, Texaco station, 2600 block of Gwynns Falls Parkway (after 2 a.m. 8/27) 211. Matthew Sivells, 26, 1900 block of Cecil Ave (2 p.m. 8/26) 210. Andre McNaire, 28, 3500 block of East Baltimore Street (2:22 a.m. 8/26) 209. Dwight McDaniel Baker, 3300 block of Powhatan Avenue (after midnight, 8/25) 208. Ishmael Cooper, 15, 1400 block of Riggs Ave. (8/23) 207. Darius Cox, 17, 2400 block of Woodbrook Ave. (11 p.m. 8/18) 206. Karen Kutchey, 51, 5000 block of 5th St. (8/16) 205. Frederick Moore, 27, 700 block of Brune St. (8:20 p.m. 8/15) 204. Ramona Bradley, 40, 1100 block of Harper Way (8/13, d. 11 p.m. 8/16)
203. Byron Dickey, 28, 2100 block of Barclay St. (4 p.m. 8/12) 202. Davon McCargo, 20, 1300 block of West Lafayette Street (5 p.m. 8/11) 201. Troy Richardson, 30, 3400 block of Dupont Ave. (2 p.m. 8/9) 200. Joseph Antoine Bryant, 29, 2300 block of E. Oliver St. (1:45 a.m. 8/8, Dwayne Erving, 17, arr. 8/8) 199. Taavon Mitchell, 27, 1400 block of N. Milton Ave. (11:36 p.m. 8/7) 198. Eric Ford, 19, first block of S. Highland Ave. / 3400 block of E. Baltimore St. (11:45 p.m. 8/5) 197. Lorado Williams Jr. 27, 3600 block of East Lombard Street (shot 1:30 a.m. 8/3, died 8/4) 196. Unidentified man, 20, 3400 block of Carlisle Ave. (before 1:30 a.m. 8/3*) 195. Donte Bracey, 20, 500 block of E. 23rd St. (before 11 p.m. 8/2) 194. Keenan McCargo, 28, the 3700 block of Lyndale Ave. (7:45 a.m. 8/2) 193. William Johnson, 18, the 2400 block of Marbourne Ave. (1:30 a.m. 8/2) 192. Jordan Brown, 21, 4600 block of Rokeby Rd., at Swann Ave. (shot 7/30, died 7/31, Tevon Allen, 18, arrested 8/13) 191. Carl Eugene Barnes, 35, 2400 block of Westwood Ave. (11 p.m. 8/1) 190. Eghosa Miaes, 20, 1200 block of Nanticoke St (2:20 a.m. 8/1) 189. Kenneth Mitchell, 44, 2900 block of Mosher St. (shot 3/20, died 7/28) 188. Demetris Downing Sr., 25, 2100 block of McHenry St. (7 p.m. 7/28) 187. Cynthia Webb, 900 block of West Lombard Street (7/27) 186. Samuel Epps, 30, 1700 block of W. Baltimore Street (2:15 a.m. 7/27) 185. Christopher Robotham, 37, trunk of car, 1600 block of Waverly Way (7/26) 184. Donte Chase, 17, 3000 or 3100 block of Belair Rd., near Clifton Park Terrace (3:30 p.m. 7/19) 183. Steven Brandon Sr., 41, 2800 block of Round Road in Cherry Hill (5 p.m. 7/18) 182. Daniel Santiago, 29, 6100 block of Fortview Way (11 p.m. 7/17) 181. Perry Costley, 18, 3400 block of St. Ambrose Ave. (12:20 a.m. 7/17) 180. Earl Thomas Williams, 26, 2100 block of Koko Lane, (12:20 a.m. 7/16) 179. Wayne G. White, 24, 5700 block of Radecke Ave. (10:30 p.m. 7/15) 178. Maurice G. White, 22, 5700 block of Radecke Ave. (10:30 p.m. 7/15) 177. Conrad Strange, 25, 1800 block of N. Gay St. (4 a.m. 7/15) 176. Yemel McMillian, 20, 2800 block of Boarman Ave. (3 a.m. 7/15) 175. Timothy Johnson, 37, 200 block of S. Herring Court (1:30 a.m. 7/12) 174. Jerry Crosby, 24, 400 block of N. Bouldin St. (7:30 p.m. 7/12) 173. Ashley Marie Bellosi, 23, 800 block of St. Paul St. (beaten 7/7, died 7/11) 172. Christine Richardson, 15, 300 block of S. Fulton Ave. (2 a.m. 7/10) 171. Clayborn Johnson, 59, 4400 block of Parkton St. (7/10) 170. Mario Mauro, 53, died as a result of a beating on the 3000 block of Rosekemp Ave. (7/7) 169. George Thomas Johnson, 25, 800 block of N. Payson St. (d. 10 p.m., 7/6, Adrian McFadden, 30, arrested 7/16) 168. Phyllis S. Johnson, 40, 1700 block of N. Broadway (10:40 p.m., 7/3) 167. Philip Airey, 36, 4800 block of Pennington Ave. (6/19) 166. Antonio Tracey, 31, 1100 block of Greenmount Ave. (soon after midnight, 7/3, Michael Kennedy charged 7/24) 165. Allen Burton, 39, 2000 block of Guilford Ave. (noon, 7/2) 164. Nathaniel Price, 30, 4900 block of Greencrest Rd. (sometime between 6/28 and 7/2) 163. Christopher Barrett, 52, in a trash can behind rowhouse in the 1500 block of Bond St. (6:52 p.m., 7/1) 162. Gerard Smith, 25, car in the 4800 block of Herring Run Drive (7:20 a.m., 7/1) 161. Davon Turner, 21, 800 block of N. Patterson Park Ave. (2:30 a.m., 7/1, Frank Williams arrested 8/3) 160. Paul Cornish, 28, 1000 block of Granby St. (9:00 p.m., 6/30) 159. Joseph Milton Johnson, rim theif, 29, 4000 block of Cedardale Rd. (5:20 a.m., 6/29) 158. Jewels Cook, 36, 2300 block of Cylburn Ave. (5:45 a.m., 6/27) 157. George Williams, 52, 7-Eleven in the 1100 block of E. Cold Spring Ln. (beaten 8/29/2005, died 7/16/06, death was ruled a homicide on 6/20/07) 156. Suspicious body* floating in the Harbor in Fell's Pt. near Bond Street (6/24) 155. Kyle Lewis, 27, 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, near W. Mosher Street, (3 a.m. 6/23) 154. Demetrius Burnette, 31, 3600 block of Bonview Avenue (d. 11:45 p.m. 6/7, Leroy Adams, 19, arrested 7/12) 153. Voltaire Conway, 40, 1900 block of Presstman St. (7:00 a.m., 5/25) 152. Tarik H. Tynes, 35, Executive Inn, 3600 block of Pulaski Highway (5/19) 151. George Wilson, 24, 3100 block of Ellerslie Ave. (12:20 a.m. 6/21) 150. Ronnie Bundy, 21, 2900 block of Miles Ave. (1:00 a.m. 6/19) 149. David Carter, 26, 3400 block of St. Ambrose Ave. (9:30 p.m. 6/18, suspect was Perry Costley, 181) 148. Riley Pettus, 43, Gwynns Falls Park near the 1300 block of N. Woodington Road (decomposed body found 6/17) 147. Alvis Harris, 40, 3300 block of Annapolis Rd., (2:30 a.m. 6/16) 146. Marcarian Grimes, 23, 2600 block of Fairview Ave., (2:00 a.m. 6/17) 145. Richard Jones, 37, 1900 block of W. Pratt St., (10:20 p.m. 6/15) 144. Maurice Gordon, 15, 2500 block of Linden Ave. (2:30 a.m. 6/13) 143. Tyree Williams, 22, 3200 block of Phelps Ln. (12:30 a.m. 6/13) 142. Sterling Carr Jr., 28, 2400 block of N. Ellamont St. (12:22 a.m. 6/13) 141. Curtis Washington, 17, 1600 block of Montpelier Street (1 a.m. 6/12) 140. Barbara Griffin, 18, 220 block of N. Bentalou St. (6/11) 139. Juan Taylor, 44, 3200 block of Brighton St. (2:20 a.m. 6/11) 138. Michael Simms, 18, first block of S. Chapel Street (6/10) 137. Melvin Jordan, 32, 900 block of East Preston St. (1:30 a.m 6/9) 136. Craig A. Hunter, 29, 1900 block of Collington Ave. (8 p.m. 6/8) 135. Ghulam Mustafa, 33, 100 block of West 28th Street (9:30 p.m. 6/5) 134. Tyrone Willie Bonner, 30, 1700 block of E. 30 St., (12 a.m. 6/5) 133. Curtis Alexander, 28, 1900 block of W. Lanvale St. (10 a.m. 6/3) 132. David Elijah Washington, 24, alley near 2600 block of Violet Ave. (1:40 a.m., 6/2) 131. Shirley Cooper, 72, 2600 block of Madison Avenue (6/1 or 6/2) 130. John Drew, 26, 2400 block of W. Lexington St ( 1 a.m. 5/30) 129. Neil B. Rather, 18, parking lot at 3400 Clifton Avenue and Denison Street (3 p.m. 5/29) 128. Laron Henderson, 27, 1600 block of Moreland Ave. (1:30 a.m., 5/29) 127. Jourman Parson, 17, Jemella's Cut Rate Liquors, 1800 block of W. Mosher St. (10:30 p.m. 5/28, Adrian McFadden arr. 7/16) 126. David Bishop, 32, 200 block of N. Gay St. (3 p.m. 5/27) 125. Amin Reed, 30, 700 block of N. Payson St. (10:12 a.m. 5/26) 124. Davon Williams, 3600 block of Dudley Ave. (5:15 a.m. 5/26) 123. Brian Johnson, 31, 1600 block of Vincent Court (2:30 a.m. 5/26) 122. Renard Maith, 52, 4000 block of Belvieu Ave., (6:25 a.m. 5/25) 121. Unidentified man, 1500 block of McCulloh Street (4 a.m. 5/25)* 120. Lt. Perry Van Brooks, 48, 1900 block of Hillenwood Road (2:30 a.m. 5/25) 119. Jasman Elmore, 18, 2300 block of Frederick Ave. (5/23) 118. Curtis Taylor, 22, Mt. Royal Ave. and Guilford Ave. (5/23) 117. Adrian Smith, 19, 200 block of E. 21st Street (5/22) 116. Alexander Rose, 23, 2300 block of East Fayette Street (5/22) 115. Alvin Parson, 22, run over by men with whom he was arguing near the first block of N. Gorman Ave. (5/10) 114. Robert Perlie, 16, 200 block of N. Dallas Court (5/17, James Giles was indicted 8/3) 113. Earl Sonny Cornish III, 21, 500 block of Chateau Avenue (5/16)112. Deandre Salmond, 19, 500 block of South Smallwood Street (5/15) 111. Nathaniel Hicks, 30, 2500 block of Garrett Ave. (5/14) 110. Todd Little, 29, 1700 block of N. Dallas St. (5/12) 109. Antoine Deshawn Hawkins, 29, 2200 block of Robb St. (5/12) 108. Gerald Lamont Wilson, 22, 900 block of N. Chester St. (5/11) 107. Deandre Hatcher, 17, 300 block of 23 1/2 Street (5/10) 106. Abdul Rahim Azzie, 20, possibly Middle Branch Park near Cherry Hill (3/8/05) 105. William Don Curtis, 23, Raymonn Avenue, Belair-Edison (5/8) 104. Thomas S. Mouzon Jr., 23, 1400 block of N Caroline St (5/7) 103. Michael Eugene Davis, 25, Woodbine Avenue (5/7) 102. John Lee Graves, 26, Cliftview Avenue (5/7) 101. Rocky Bottoms Jr., 1400 block of E. Fayette St. / 200 block of N. Spring Ct. (5/6/2007) 100. Adrian Beasley, 1300 block of Herkimer St. (5/5/2007) 99. Matthew Davis, 23, 100 block of S. Mount St. (5/3/2007) 98. Derius Harmon, 18, abandoned house on 2200 block of Barclay St. (5/2/07) 97. Duane Allen, 42, found floating in a swamp near the 2000 block of Annapolis Rd.* (4/18/07) 96. Dontrelle Nesmith, 29, 3200 block of Normount Ave* (3/21/07) 95. Larry Brockington, 31, 900 block of N. Rosedale St. (5/2/07) 94. Unidentified woman, 2900 block of Ellicott Drive (5/1/07)* 93. Eric Queen, 24, 1900 block of E. Lafayette St. (4/30/07) 92. Jamal Knox, 16, 500 block of Half Mile Ct. (4/30/07) 91. Deshaun White, 31, 3600 block of Reisterstown Rd. (4/30/07) 90. Leroy Sanders, 22, 300 block of S. Payson St. (4/29/07) 89. Lonnie Plateo, 36, Upland Apartments, 4600 block of Old Frederick Rd. (4/29/07) 88. Azerwoine Walker, 30, 6200 block of Elliott St. (4/29/07) 87. Ronald Daniels, 35, Cameo Lounge, 4700 block of Harford Rd. (4/29/07) 86. Dewitt Smith, 25, 1600 block of N. Rosedale St. (4/27/07) 85. Ernest Buchanan Jr., 18, in the McDonald's at 31 S. Calvert St. (4/26/07) 84. Damon Dubose, 23, 3500 block of Woodland Ave. (4/22/07) 83. Van Maurice Johnson, 29, 1900 block of W. Lombard St. (4/22/07) 82. Joseph Ensey, Sr., 45, died in November 2006 from complications related to a 1991 shooting in the 4100 block of St. George's Ave. (death was ruled a homicide on 4/20/2007) 81. Christopher Wayman, 23, 2400 block of Seabury Rd. (4/19/07) 80. Johnnie James, 25, 300 block of S. Bentalou St. (4/18/07) 79. Kevin Randall, 45, 200 block of N. Mount St. (4/18/07) 78. Brent Flanagan, 16, 2600 block of W. Coldspring Ln. (4/12/07) 77. Tavon Campbell, 20, 2600 block of E. Madison St. (4/11/07) 76. John Daughtry, 25, 100 block of S. Morely St. (4/9/07) 75. Eric Zurawski, 39, 1300 block of W. Ostend St. (4/8/07) 74. Darrell Smith, 21, rear of even side of 3600 block of St. Margaret's St. (4/2/07) 73. Andre McBride, 21, 6600 block of Knottwood Ct. 72. Estefany Gonzales, 16, 6300 block of Toone St. 71. Pelvin Derrien, 23, 6800 block of Sturbridge Drive 70. David Johns, 3400 block of Noble St. March 30 69. Ronald Harmon, 17, 2200 block of E. Biddle St. 68. Artesha Moses, 18, 700 block of N. Carey St. 67. Theresa Parker, 39, 1200 block of Treeleaf Ct. 66. Shawn Lamont Weaver, 17, 900 block of McCulloh St. 65. Charles Hargrove, 20, 2600 block of Rayner Ave. 64. Ricardo Paige, 54, 500 block of E. 43rd St. 63. Unidentified person, Leakin Park* 62. Edwin Mathews, 30, 2900 block of E. Madison St. [Candice Page arrested 8/22] 61. Rodney Dewitt, 21, 4900 block of Queensberry Ave. 60. Charles R. Erdman, 65, 5800 block of Erdman Ave. 59. Michael Stuckey, 49, 100 block of Diener Pl. 58. Christopher Clarke, 18, 3100 block of Cliftmont Ave 57. Antwan D. Askins, 2500 block of List Ave. 56. Steven Washington, 17, 1600 block of Cliftview Ave. 55. Tyrone Jackson Jr., 19, 6500 block of Brook Ave.
54. Mark Robinson, 48, 2700 block of Harlem Ave. 53. Damon Smith, 40, alley in the 5000 block of Denmore Ave. 52. Allen Coates, 36, Maceo's Lounge, 1900 block of N. Monroe St. 51. Anthony Bryan, 37, 3000 block of Rosedale Ct. 50. Richard Stuckey, 17, 1100 block of N Ellamont St. 49. Anthony Brown, 19, shot in the 700 Block of N. Curley Street 48. Thomas Terry, 19, shot in the 100 block of West Hamburg Street 47. Michael A. Woods Jr., 28, 2000 block of Smallwood Street 46. Vernon L. Carter, 25, 1800 West Lanvale 45. William R. Duck IV, 21, found face down in the street at the intersection of Fulton Ave. and W. Pratt St. 44. Vic Roy Fenner, 17, Guilford Ave. and E. 21st. St 43. Antonio Harris, 18, 1600 block of McKean Ave. 42. Charles Pace, 22, 2300 block of Barclay 41. Brian Lessane, 19, 1000 block of N. Broadway near Branch Water Ct. 40. Daniel Savage, 32, 1500 block of N. Bradford St. 39. Andre S. Jones, 28-year-old Video Poker Player, 1800 block of Clifton Ave 38. Darnell Cain, 37, 2300 block of E. Fayette St. 37. Burnt body in field near Patapsco and Potee* 36. George Baskerville, 3700 block of Oakmont Ave. 35. David Frasier, 1000 block of Branch Water Ct. 34. Harold Robinson, Club International, 2300 block of W. Baltimore St. 33. Alusine Kamara, alley in the 1800 block of W. Baltimore St. 32. Dwight Evans, 2400 block of E. Madison St. 31. Darnell Gaither, Walter P. Carter Recreation Center, E. 43rd St. 30. Desmond Tucker, Sugar Hill Tavern, 2300 block of Druid Hill Avenue 29. Ryan Holliman, Club Mate, 3600 block of South Hanover Street 28. Stephanie Stevens, 800 block of Hilton Street 27. Sintia Mesa, 7200 block of Brook Crest Way 26. Vernon Dredden, N. Chester St. 25. Kevin Fowlin, 3900 block of W. Rogers Ave. 22. Ronald Lewis, McCulloh Homes, 500 block of W. Preston St. 23. Tio Floyd, 1700 block of East Biddle Street 24. Jermall K. Ford, 2100 block of Madison Ave 21. David Thomas, 3100 block of Brighton Street 20. Anton Jones Jr., 5400 block of Cedonia Avenue 19. Milan Walker, 1000 block of E. Baltimore St. 18. Bonita Madden, 1300 block of North Calhoun Street 17. Dante Watson, 2200 block of Fleetwood Avenue 16. Melissa Stefanski, 23, 600 block of Washburn Ave. 15. Antwaine Curbeam, 30, 5200 block of York Road 14. William Davis, 26, 1200 block of N. Caroline Street 13. Gregory Rochester, 25, 200 block of E. 25th Street 12. Rodney Gardner, 21, man shot in the chest at 3100 Ravenwood Rd. and dropped off at the Johns Hopkins Hospital emergency room 11. Detective Troy Lamont Chesley Sr. 10. Richard Crane, 37, shot to death Jan. 13th in the 1500 block of east 29th street. 9. Marcus McDowell, 16, 5100 block of Harford Road 8. Edward L. Canupp, 500 block of Maude Ave. 7. Ray William Alston, 27, 300 block of W. North Ave. 6. Michael Cunningham, 46, 5200 block of Ready Ave. 5. Yule Antonio Henderson, 21, 1800 block of N. Montford Ave. 4. Thomas Joseph MacKenney, the 5900 block of Northwood Drive near Chinquapin Run 3. Nelsene Hattie Burnette, 44, 2000 block of W. North Avenue 2. Eddie Golf, 26, at Windsor Forest apt. complex, 4900 Challedon Road 1. Leon Nelson, 17, China Garden

Afternoon Update

Vernice Harris, a 30-year-old "mother" has been charged in the murder of her two-year-old daughter, Bryanna Ashley. Along with the beating death of 3-year-old Jabari Stocks, the most depressing story of '07.

Former Hopkins doctor Dr. Todd Brinsley Sheridan pleaded guilty to automobile manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol. He killed 22-year-old Letrice Smith by driving the wrong way on the JFX-- he drove a rather remarkable 4.5 miles after entering on the the North Avenue ramp before the accident, says the SA's office. Under terms of the plea agreement, Sheridan faces a maximum of three years in prison. Judge Robert Kershaw scheduled sentencing for April 21, 2008. Sheridan had previously been convicted of DUI in 2004.

County police are seeking a home-invasion/robbery suspect driving a 2003 white Honda Civic Maryland registration JYC928.

January 8

More than 2,000 mourners attended the funeral for Courtney Brooks.

Three teenage boys and a woman were injured during a shooting at a carryout joint in the Southwestern.

The link above also mentions that Ronald Lee Moore's suicide attempt was successful.

The county police have released a sketch of one of three suspects who shot a man during a robbery / cigarette-bumming in Woodlawn last November. Is it just me, or is that bad man wearing a polka-dot neckerchief?

Apparently, Gerard Damon got bored with prison, so he just kind of walked away.

Oedipus is running for Carroll County School Board.

Sean Nelson Smith's murder trial might provide some mighty fine drama.

Christopher James Haarhoff got five years for helping his mother ditch the body of her boyfriend.

26-year-old Joseph Ellis pleaded guilty to being a perv.

Pigtown patrol points police to Peacock.

A pit bull attacked a 9-year-old girl on Bonaparte Ave., and neighbors are "beefing." Uh, okay. (And hey... don't hate the dogs, hate the owners.)

Putting the "new" in "news"

The following is from a "Top Stories" link on the FoxBaltimore web site. Like most of their "Top Stories," it doesn't have a link directly to the "Top Story." Make sure you read the last sentence, the one I put in bold.

Man Shot in Barber Shop
A barber waiting to be picked up by his wife after work is killed in west Baltimore. It happened in the 1100 block of West Baltimore Street at Reflections barber shop just before 9 p.m. last night.
Police say a shooter entered the store and opened fire. 40-year-old Kevin Ware was hit several times. Ware was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are looking for a black male who ran from the scene.
Last Updated: Friday, October 12 2007, 06:13 PM

Ahhh, Fox Baltimore, I aspire to your level of journalistic integrity. One day, Fox Baltimore, I will surpass the stature of lowly blogger, and I will join your ranks as the mostest elitest reporters in Baltimore.

January 7

The service for Cpl. Courtney Brooks is taking place this morning. Part-time stripper Kerri King still has not been charged in his death, but continues to be held for not showing up at court for an unrelated DUI charge.

A woman was raped in her car near S. Caroline St. and E. Baltimore St. at about 4:00 in the afternoon on New Year's Day, and police have no leads.

The family of Michael Gagnon seems genuinely sorry for the drunken actions of their brother/son.

Maryland's program to prevent aggressive driving has largely failed. Of course, this guy won't be driving like a jackass anymore.

A fire in Dundalk is being investigated as suspicious.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in HoCo Circuit Court for the case against Brandon Morris, who is accused of killing prison guard Jeffrey Wroten.

The Guardian Angels are seeking volunteers for their Baltimore patrols.

As ppatin reminds us in the comments, arguments against the lethal injection are being heard by the Supreme Court today.

The Wire, Season Five

Thoughts?

January 6

Jerome Waters was fatally shot at about 11:30 Thursday night in the 2800 block of Kentucky Ave. in the Northeastern. In a shocking twist, Baltimore police suspect that the killing might be drug-related.

Way to go there, Scrappy! "Baltimore City Police say a resident of Eutaw Place fought off two teens who tried to rob him at gunpoint last night."

Kelvin Poke wrote that he wasn't born in prison and he wasn't going to die in prison.

Two PG teens are in the slammer after they stole a couple of cars and tried to run down a cop.

That about sums it up: "No Happy Ending in Dickensian Baltimore"

January 5

Galt wrote in the comments that someone was fatally shot on Thursday the 4th in the 3500 block of Howard Park Dr., but this hasn't been reported anywhere that I've seen.

The head of Dimensions Healthcare System says no more non-emergency prisoner patients until the state can get its act together. And when Dimensions calls you a screwup, you know it's bad.

New charges were brought against the bus beaters.

Ronald Lee Moore, the accused sex offender who was captured in Louisiana after being accidentally released from the Baltimore City Correctional Center, tried to kill himself. No word on whether he used a cattle prod in his suicide attempt.

A 19-year-old was arrested and charged with arson after allegedly setting five fires in a Pikesville apartment complex. (WBAL has a charming headline for their video: "Man Arrested In Complex Arson." Would he have been let go if it had been a simple arson?)

"There are no 'bad' kids in Baltimore." Go Gregory.

Two trials that are scheduled to start on Monday: The first-degree murder trial of Earl Bazemore and Victor Miller, who are accused of killing Andrew Levi Jackson on September 25 2006, and the second-degree assault trial against Rodney Corban, who is accused of beating a Muslim doctor who was washing his hands and feet in a bathroom at UMMS.

The Wegman's that is slated to replace the Wire soundstage in Columbia is meeting some opposition.

Juan Hernandez indicted

From the State's Attorney's Office:

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Juan Hernandez, 19, of the 1000 block of Foxchase Lane in Essex on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Court documents allege that Juan Hernandez is responsible for a shooting incident on March 30, 2007 in the 6300 block of Toone Street. Allegedly Hernandez entered the 6200 block of Toone Street in a dark colored vehicle, parked, exited his vehicle, walked toward the rear of the block and began firing at Estefany Gonzales,16, striking her in the shoulder. Hernandez allegedly fled the scene in the vehicle. Gonzales died later at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

An arraignment is scheduled for January 28, 2008 before Judge John P. Miller, Room 428 Mitchell Courthouse.

January 4

Kelvin Poke was being guarded by one correctional officer when he escaped. The second guard was on break.

Habitual drug dealer Michael A. Weathers was the man who was killed on Dec. 20 on the corner of Atlantic Ave. and S. Paca St.

If I were apologizing for a family member who killed five people because he was driving the wrong way down a freeway, I probably wouldn't use the words, "turn around unexpectedly."

HarCo businessman William Harrison has been charged with 218 counts of child sex abuse.

Convicted coke dealer DJ Nelly Nell is going away for 11+ years.

Corey Lehnhoff, the alleged instigator of the Mount Hebron HS fight that left one teenager dead, will be tried as a juvenile.

A federal cop's stolen gun is still missing.

Police are searching for an armed robber with a penchant for dresses who hit the Boscov's in White Marsh Mall on Wednesday night.

Also at White Marsh, a man with a star under his eye stole a leather coat from the Mens' Wearhouse. Could this be the man?

A current Raven and a former Raven are going at it in court.

January 3

The man killed at a New Year's party in Cherry Hill was 28-year-old Linwood Colvin.

The man killed in Edgewood on Sunday was ID'd as 23-year-old Tyree Eugene Brown.

Kerri King is one classy lady.

Kelvin Poke could've taught Samuel L. Jackson a thing or two about being a bad motherfucker.

Better to be distraught than dead, jackass.

A teenager was stabbed on Seagull Ave. in Cherry Hill last night, but was able to run to the Southern police station.

Assault charges against bus beating victim Sarah Kreager have been dismissed.

Anthony Showell's family swears that the cops have got the wrong guy.

If you see a 6' white dude walking around Highlandtown, call the police. (If there's no post here tomorrow, then you called the cops on the wrong 6' white dude.)

Brian Keith Scott is in jail after robbing a Westminster Subway shop.

Steven Vernarelli's lawyers are preparing a $100M lawsuit against the BPD after claiming that three officers sexually sodomized him near Hopkins Hospital.

Judge Richard D. Bennett told Ponzi schemer and repeat offender David McDowell Robinson that "a lengthy prison term is clearly going to be imposed by me."

Convicted murderer James Kulbicki won't get a new trial, no matter how many college degrees Joseph Kopera lied about.

Rodricks reaches out to future murderers and murder victims.

Jews rule.

The Philly City Paper pays respect to David Simon and takes a shot at those of us who prefer low-hanging fruit to the sweet nectar of truth.

January 2

A bit more about the circumstances that surround 2008's first murder, and some additional info about the investigation into whether Kerri King killed Courtney Brooks with her SUV.

Speaking of alleged asshole drunks, a 24-year-old construction worker from Ohio is being arraigned today on five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. He received minor injuries in the crash that killed a mother and four kids from Parkville.

Luke Broadwater's long-awaited recap of Baltimore City's 2007 homicides has been published, along with a list of December's murder victims.

Three victims are listed in today's Murder Ink.

Salisbury had their first homicide of 2007 in mid-December.

A curious comment in article about Edgewood citizens who are tired of local violence: "Without the ability or authority to discipline their children, parents end up ceding that responsibility to police." Ummmmm... so why exactly don't parents have the ability or authority to discipline their children?

A 31-year-old genius refused to drop the gun he was firing into the air to celebrate the New Year, and was rewarded with a police bullet to the gut.

We've come to expect stabbings and armed robberies, but for the love of God, leave our vodka alone!

The investigation into Anthony McCarthy's rather mysterious "inappropriate behavior" has been completed.

A bunch of cars in Canton were vandalized.

Sheila D. will be attending a screening of The Wire at the Senator on Saturday. David Simon is going after the fine folks at the Sun this season.

January 1, evening

We made it almost 60 minutes into the new year without a murder.

Police arrested 40-year-old Elkton resident Kerri King, the owner of the green SUV being sought in the hit-and-run death of MdTA officer Courtney Brooks. King was being held on charges related to a September DUI arrest. Her Ford Explorer had heavy damage to the front end.

Francisco Pascual, the Gwynn Oak man charged with smuggling and raping an underage girl from El Salvador, had his bail doubled to $2M. I don't know anything about Milford (CT) State's Attorney Kevin Lawlor, but he just might be my new hero.

New Year's Eve hit and run

Officer Courtney G. Brooks was hit and killed while he worked a traffic detail last night at the intersection of 95 & 395. He was a 13-year police veteran. Police are looking for a green Ford Explorer with temporary Delaware tags XB719820.

(I almost feel bad for my snide comment about WJZ in the previous post. Almost.)

January 1

Lewis Lee Cochran was arrested in the Edgewood home invasion on Sunday that left one man dead.

A Maryland Transportation Authority officer was the victim of a hit and run last night near 95 and 395. WJZ says he was killed, but WJZ says a lot of things.

The man killed outside the Stop, Shop & Save on N. Caroline St. last Friday has been ID'd as 25-year-old Todd Dargan.

Also in the Blotter (above link), the carjacker who desperately needed a '91 Blazer got arrested, the guy who got shot finally remembered where it happened, and teenagers in the metro area just aren't being very nice to each other.

Bringin' in the new year at juvie.

Looks like at least a few of the teens charged with beating Sarah Kreager on the MTA's No. 27 bus tried to claim that Kreager started the fight.

William A. Hendry IV allegedly taped he and his ex-wife having sex without her consent.

A 43-year-old man in Annapolis was stabbed after four men accused him of an earlier robbery.

Today's tip for stupid criminals: Don't ask a cop to move his car when (a) you're carrying around nearly 9 grams of wacky tabaccy, and (b) you're the reason the police were called in the first place.

The Examiner has a bunch of pretty neat year-end recaps that include updates on some major stories. Here's the one for Baltimore City.

Vandals in HoCo painted hateful messages on cars, houses, and driveways in well-to-do Clarksville.

December 31

Five members of a Parkville family were killed by a drunk driver in Ohio.

A Gwynn Oak man got his ass kicked -- both physically and legally -- after allegedly raping an underage Salvadoran girl who he smuggled into the country.

Josh Mitchell takes a look at differences in the motives that drive suburban and urban homicide.

Two men in Edgewood were shot by Crips yesterday.

Police have the victim and the bullet wound, but nobody knows where it happened. (Also in the Blotter, a grocery store owner was stabbed and robbed, a man was carjacked of his nearly 20-year-old Chevy, and a blonde woman in the Southeastern is armed with a bad sense of fashion.)

A Bel Air man is attributing a Molotov cocktail attack on his house to "a rash of vandalism in his neighborhood."

Be on the lookout for a 5'9" black man with a graying goatee who is wearing blue jeans and robbing banks. Wait a second... I think there's three of him working in my office as we speak!

MTA Police Chief David Franklin says the buses are safe; one of the nine kids who attacked Sarah Kreager doesn't agree.

If the slackers at the Dunkin Donuts in Berlin, MD kept their stupid store open 24 hours like every other DD on the face of the planet, these morons wouldn't have stood a chance.

Rodney Bethea just wants to talk, man!

Pat Jessamy's staff is looking into bogus parking tickets in the city.

December 30

The Sun does their year-end homicide wrap-up without any sensationalist headlines. Depressing QOTD from Julie B.: "The increase, though slight, underscores a troubling trend in homicides that leaves Baltimore standing virtually alone among major American cities."

A look at the strategies of some of those other American cities.

HarCo reduced their homicide rate by nearly 50%.

More details on the delivery driver from China Spring who was robbed and shot in Glen Burnie last week.

I missed an interesting article from yesterday's Sun about dealing with violence in the city's schools. (On an unrelated note, did you know that we have a Homeland Security Academy in West Baltimore? Does that seem creepy to anyone but me?)

I don't entirely understand the details, but protective orders in Maryland are being standardized to offer more consistent protection to victims of abuse. Or something like that.

December 29, Evening Edition

A corpse was found on I-97 near Annapolis, and an abandoned car was found nearby.

A man in his late 30s committed suicide at Lexington Market this morning.

Joseph Brown was allegedly selling a handgun when he was murdered. There's an important lesson here for aspiring illegal gun dealers: don't give loaded weapons to your potential customers.

You mean Christmas Eve isn't the traditional day of desecrating tombstones?

Gotta love those JZ headlines that inform us of genuinely surprising local developments: "Baltimore's Murder Rate Continues To Climb".