Seven murders, a stabbing and a threatening gesture

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Gerard Mungo lawsuit is moving to HoCo.

Place Your Bets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two years for assault & bomb threat

From the SAO
PRESS RELEASE

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

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

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

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

No Jail Time for Hit and Run that Killed Toddler

From the SA's office:

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

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

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

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

25 Years for Murderer of Christine Richardson

Press release from the SA's office:

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

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

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

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

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

Charging docs here and here

Nicholas Browning Pleaded Guilty

today to four counts of first-degree murder.

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

Pig-biting mad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#182

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

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

Scary numbers

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

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

News of the Weird

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

AAC sheriff pursues criminals with flair, Pat Sajak

One Year for Witness Intimidation

from the office of Patricia C. Jessamy:

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

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

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

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

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

15 shootings this week

... mapped by our friends at spotcrime.

A man was shot to death in the 2700 block of Oswego Ave.

The city council has scheduled a hearing to get an update on the Ken Harris case.

More details of the Timonium kidnapping/ robbery/ assault

A new law lets city police seize dirt bikes whenever and wherever

Prostitution arrests in HoCo

#180, 181?

Another mysterious body, this in the 3500 block of Pelham Avenue in the Northeast.
(Thnx Glt)

The man shot by Coldstream Park Elementary was ID's as Dontay Monroe, 18.

Thanks to reader Dan who pointed out a numbering error in the toll-- the city has now had 180 murders. Which is still a remarkably low number.

The system works sometimes! A judge overturned Bruce Lamdin's decision to evict a domestic-violence victim at the expense of her knife-wielding husband.

Monday, police shot and wounded a man in front of Belmont Elementary School. Here's hoping it's once of those freaky city schools that doesn't have windows!

Drug dealers are getting probation, and Pigtown residents are puh-issed!

.. and speaking of, if you're transporting contraband, try going the speed limit, mkay?

Ok, time to go to bed now

Tyron Lydale Johnson of Waldorf got a year and a day for a counterfeit-check scheme that he used to pay for a Ford motor vehicle and a vacation in Georgia, U.S.A.

Ladies & gentlemen, the weirdest comment we've ever gotten.
... before I lose my digits: the SAO's office is the final say if a homicide = murder.
And "cause" and "manner" are two different things? decided by the Medical Examiner?
... what happens to #173

Two Guys, Four 'Guilty' Pleas for Murder

Press Release from the SAO, cut n pasted:

PATRICK D. WILKES PLEADS GUILTY TO THREE MURDERS OVER MONTH-LONG CRIME SPREE IN MAY 2007

CITY JURY CONVICTS HIM IN SEPARATE ARMED ROBBERY

ANTHONY WHITE PLEADS GUILTY TO ONE MURDER

Wilkes to Be Sentenced to 100 Years in Prison Suspend All But 60 Years; White to Be Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison Suspend All But 25 Years at December Sentencing Hearings

Baltimore, MD – October 22, 2008 – A Baltimore City jury convicted Patrick D. Wilkes, 24, of the 200 block of S. Bentalou St. today of robbery with a deadly weapon (armed robbery) and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence yesterday. The jury heard two days of testimony and deliberated approximately two hours before reaching its verdict.

Immediately following the guilty verdict, Wilkes pled guilty to a second armed robbery count and three counts of second-degree murder.

Judge John N. Prevas scheduled sentencing for December 5, 2008 at which time Wilkes faces a prison term of 100 years suspend all but 60 years.

The jury convicted Wilkes of the following case: At approximately 6:00AM May 21, 2007 in the 100 block of S. Pulaski St. Wilkes pulled a gun and robbed a cell phone and currency from a man on his way to work.

Wilkes pled to the following armed robbery: At approximately 6:00AM May 26, 2007 Wilkes pulled a gun and robbed a cell phone from a man on his way to work. Police respond and arrest Wilkes near the scene and recover the victim’s cell phone and the handgun. The handgun is tested and is linked to the May 5, 2007 murder of Adrian Beasley, 23.

Wilkes pled guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the May 5, 2007 shooting death of Beasley, who was found shot to death in the 1300 block of Herkimer Street.

Wilkes pled guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the April 18, 2007 shooting death of Johnny A. James, 25. James was found shot to death in the 300 block of S. Bentalou St.

Wilkes pled guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the May 15, 2007 shooting death of Deandre Salmond. Salmond was found shot to death in the 500 block of S. Smallwood St.

Following the court proceedings of Wilkes, his first-cousin Anthony White, 24, of the 200 block of S. Smallwood St. pled guilty to second-degree murder.

White pled guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the May 15, 2007 shooting death of Deandre Salmond. Salmond was found shot to death in the 500 block of S. Smallwood St.

Judge Prevas scheduled sentencing for December 12, 2008 at which time White faces a prison term of 50 years suspend all but 25 years.

Murder charges are pending against Antonio White. Those proceedings continue before Judge Prevas.

Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Phelps prosecuted this case.

###

# 177, 178

A 17-year-old boy was shot to death in the 600 block of North Clinton St.

The body of a young man was found near Coldstream Park Elementary School this morning, and though there's no reference to the manner of death, a natural cause seems rather unlikely.
UPDATE: He was shot, and elementary-school students found him.

Kenneth Ringgold, 34, was ID'd as the man stabbed to death in the 100 block of N. Janney St.

The man shot to death Monday on Preston St. was identified as Carlton Tremain Bethea, 29, of the 2200 block of E. Chase St.; a man was shot Monday in the 2200 block of Booth St.

More in the CP from photographer Frank Klein about murder victim Clayton Oxendine, #167, "a good, decent, kind individual trapped in a hole of predetermination"

More updates and names in the Ink

The SAO has two new 'witness locators', filling positions that had been open for more than a year

After his suspension, Baltimore County District Judge Bruce S. Lamdin is back on the bench and more sensitive than ever (the old Bruce would have given the domestic-violence victim a stream of profanity before making her homeless!).

hermann: overtime and crime, street patterns and crime

CofA: If you run when you see the cops, that's reasonably suspicious

County police have arrested a suspect in that attempted kidnapping in White Marsh.

Pepa's back, but she's not here to out-rap you, hoe! Instead she's in bankruptcy court! Her husband sperminated another woman, then his friend allegedly forged a lawyer's signature on a property document. Yet she's got a pretty good attitude about the whole thing.

LOLZ of the day: a woman says her car was a victim of "political violence." Sounds like somebody's dog is a Democrat!

Early AM

Last night, three men were shot last night at the 500 block of W. Preston St. One of them died, marking number 175.

Later on in East Baltimore, a man was stabbed 100 block of N. Janney St. and later died, marking number 176.

Its a good time to have more people on around the clock to protect us... but the police is slashing overtime along with the City wide hiring freeze. Because as you know its more important to have a green Baltimore with plenty of social activities than a safe Baltimore.

Happy Tuesday!

Another guy, one Kiheem Malik Taylor, age 22, was arrested in the Timonium light rail rape/kidnapping case.

Murders Revisited

Updated, with lots of death, very little jail time, including a guy who got 1 year, 1 month, and 12 days in prison for murder (and who'd been charged with murder before).

#174

15-year-old Delvon Butts has died 10 days after being shot.

One hand doesn't know what the other is spending

The BPD is stepping up its game, increasing the operations of its Domestic Violence Unit to cover the entire city. There's a few things that are perplexing here. First of all, what's happening for areas not overseen by the Domestic Violence Unit? Second, the Unit should probably check with Bealefeld, since the Department is now poised to cut $6 million from the budget.

'upsetting to the extreme'

A meeting of the mothers of the alleged victims of alleged serial rapist/ possible serial killer William Brown last week.
More on Brown, Emma O'Hearn and prostitute murders in the city

Alleged Rogers Forge child killer Susan Griffin: "I didn't kill this child ... at least I didn't think I did in any conscious way." Warning, the story really is upsetting to the extreme. If you're lactating, tuck in your breast pads. or just skip it. Seriously.

"Suspicious" human remains found in basement of rowhouse: a "worker was cleaning out the trash and accidentally pulled on the hand" aieeee! Video from JZ

Weekend

An off-duty Baltimore County police officer shot two burglars in his home early this morning in the 200 block of Evesham Ave. near the Baltimore County line

Jeanine Alice Blackwell, 34, pleaded guilty yesterday to the involuntary manslaughter of her newborn son, whom she delivered in a toilet March 9.

Tyrone Fields Jr. and Jawaun Harris, 18, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Bernard Solomon, 23, on July 29.

Buz wizdom: "robberies are the true measure of a community's safety--not murders. Robberies usually occur in a public place, between strangers, and involve force or the threat of using force. Murders, in this city (and most), involve either a domestic tragedy or business operations among people in 'the game'."

"A former Sinai Hospital patient is suing the hospital and a security guard for $77 million after he says he was assaulted in the emergency room on Labor Day."

Burbs
Trooper Dale Derr, whose cruiser was traveling 83 mph when it struck and killed a man two years ago, has allegedly assaulted the dead man’s brother

A panel of Howard Circuit judges is considering reducing the prison sentence of Marcus Owens, 37, of Columbia, who was was convicted in June 2004 for the second-degree murder and child abuse of his stepson, Kevonte Davis and is serving 60 years for killing his 2-year-old stepson.

A report for the General Assembly found big gaps in MD drug treatment services -- duh-- but surprisingly the city isn't the most, or even second-most, under-served area

In PGC, "Park Police Question Why Body Was Overlooked"

Have you seen...

Daniel DeBold, who has been missing since this morning. If you see him or have seen him please call the police and report that you have seen him and where you have seen him. He was last seen in Arbutus wearing a suit, family says he is paranoid and delusional.

Have you seen...

A tall white guy in a dark green 4-door 1997 Honda Civic, with Maryland tag 1ANV62, wanted for the attempted kidnapping of a 7-year-old boy in White Marsh.

Eleven Shootings

.. this week, mapped by Spotcrime.

Shocking. "Suspect in kidnapping has record"
(for you JIS searchers, look under "Brian T Scott," born 8/6/90. Yikes, he's also a DAD!).

No good deed... "A man who stopped to help three people on the side of the road early today was repeatedly stabbed by one of them"

Broadwater explains that cryptic statement a police spokesperson made about alleged rapist Ian Murphy ("He actually committed one crime and left at that crime scene evidence from another crime scene.") Said evidence was the victim's stolen cell phone, which he'd used to film himself. Blergh.

After 20 years in jail, DNA evidence freed wrongfully accused murderer James L. Owens.

Julie B. attended a West side Jessamy-sponsored community meeting on gangs.

Your Tax $ at Work

What the?! City employees accused of cashing checks drawn on city accounts, AND two city employees are accused of stealing $50,000 of copper wire out of City Hall. Hilton Greene says “If it’s city property we’re going to start looking at prosecuting some junk yards for receiving it.”
But if the scrapyard's buying property stolen off of your house, I guess that's cool!

Have you seen...

Brian Tyrone Scott, 18, of the 800 block of Pontiac Avenue, 21225, wanted in the Timonium light rail kidnapping/ rape/ robbery case.

Sigh

As we're informed this Thursday that your lifespan may be shorter if you live in certain neighborhoods, we should be reminded that your life could end much much sooner in harm city.Take for instance, Rubin Nelson (#173), who died Tuesday night. Or Howard Grant (#171), and Justin Berry (#172), who were 18 and 19 respectively.

Oh, but don't worry. Those of you who make it to longer ages may have plenty of things to worry about as well.

Such as little dears who can't be controlled even in jail, and will one day be placed back into our society.

Or the people who should be in jail but aren't... and can't be bothered to even mow their lawn.

Or being shot at because of a beef, burgled, or having the hell beaten out of you for no apparent reason.

Or, if you're a prostitute, being beaten within an inch of your life by some jack the ripper fan. Or, alternatively, being the husband of a prostitute and having to deal with this crap.

All of this news makes me think of one thing:

Shootings, Stabbings and Homemade Bombs

Someone was shot last night in the back at around 11 p.m. while in a Lincoln Continental on York Road & Sheridan Avenue.

Howard Grant Jr. and Justin Berry, killed on Sunday, were thought to be murder witnesses by police; Grant had been shot in the leg days before.

Antonio Ferguson, aka Theodore Spencer, got 20 years + five years of probation for a double shooting that left one victim paralyzed from the chest down and another in a coma for six weeks.

The man accused in the rape of a TU student has been charged in a second case, and has probably lost his job at Banana Republic.
... What the?! "He actually committed one crime and left at that crime scene evidence from another crime scene."

CSA: Conspiracy to commit second-degree murder is a non-existent crime

A man stabbed in the upper body and two women robbed by "two males males between the ages of 10 and 15" in Charles Village in the Blotter

Like, duh: trying to clean up Belair-Edison is an "ordeal."

Mug shot of the day: 'Deener Wesley James Queen II, 34, charged with leaving threatening messages at Casa de Maryland.

An Essex man’s legal malpractice suit against The Suder Law Firm and one of its former attorneys went to the jury yesterday.

A Patterson High student has been arrested after homemade bombs went off in the cafeteria.

WBAL: Jacksonville residents crammed the courtroom for the start of the leaky-Exxon case

Just when you thought it was safe(r) to come out...

...A man was fatally shot in the Walbrook community last night, marking murder number 173. Police are, as always, looking for information.

Guilty Pleas in Bolton Hill Robbery

A Press Release from the SAO:

At a hearing today, Jerome Hicks, 39, of the 4100 block of Granite Ave. pled guilty to three counts of robbery with a deadly weapon. On Friday, October 10, Clarence Hill, 39, of the 1000 block of Homewood Ave., pled guilty to two counts of robbery. On July 25, 2007, the two men robbed a grocery store in the Bolton Hill neighborhood.

Judge John N. Prevas sentenced Hill to 40 years in prison suspend all but 25 years and five years probation. Judge Prevas sentenced Hicks to 15 years in prison.
Both men plead to the following summary of facts: On July 25, 2007 at 1:30PM two Baltimore police officers patrolling and conducting business checks in the 1100 block of Park Ave. entered the Bolton Hill Grocery store. They immediately saw three persons standing with their hands in the air and Clarence Hill with a gray shirt over his head. Hill noticed the police officers and tried to alert Hicks to their presence. Hill walked toward the officers as they stood near the door and was apprehended after a short struggle. During this struggle, Hicks ran out of the store with officers in pursuit on foot. Police caught Hicks four blocks away and both men were placed under arrest. Upon arrest, police recovered on Hicks’ person property from the robbery; including a wallet, cell phone, ring and currency.
Police recovered from inside the store a replica German Luger handgun from a shopping cart inside the store. An investigation revealed that Hicks entered store, displayed a black handgun later determined to be the replica Luger, and forced victims to lie down and empty their pockets.
Hill pointed a gun at a store employee and ordered that the store cash register and lottery machine be emptied.
Hicks later confessed to police his participation in the armed robbery.

Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Madigan of the General Trial Division prosecuted this case.

###

In Which I Make a Lil Wayne Reference

If the murder trends hold, 2008 will have the fewest since 1970.

Shawty wanna thug, bottles at the club... shawty wanna hump, but Fogelman will dump your liquor license, chumps!

County Police are ISO 24-year-old Calvin Shayrone Hilton Jr., believed to be responsible for a shooting that injured two people on June 15 outside the Rush Hour Bar.

... hey felons, don't forget that today is the last day you can register to vote!

A tragic tale of parents trying to get treatment for their heroin-addicted daughter in the Post

Stuff You Can't Make Up

The name "Baltimore" is an Anglicized form of the Irish Baile an Tí Mhóir, meaning "Town of the Big House."

More on

the man arrested for raping a TU student. Should they be publishing his name & address when he's just a suspect? Hope they got the right guy!
More from the Towerlight.

WBAL has tape of the Belvedere shooting

A ton of stolen GPSes and paper towels burgled from a church in the Messenger Crime Log.

Go Franchot! The comptroller nailed two patriotic tax-evading companies and netted the state $12 million.

The light rail kidnapping has us wondering... if you're in a parking lot and someone sneaks up behind you & puts a gun to your head and tells you to go somewhere with them, what's a better move-- obeying them or refusing?

In the meantime....

While MJB reminds us that its a city that you can easily be killed in, there's plenty of other violence to go around as well.


O'Gov doesn't like the idea of using prison labor to reduce spending costs -- score one for big labor?

Two elderly Dominican Nuns... out to destroy America? Well, the State Police thought so for a while. In the meantime, the ACLU presses on for access to the records accumulated.

Doc Cheatham wants better officer training after the shooting of a 40 year old woman , which we reported on a few days back. Doc wants meetings... I smell a committee.

In the meantime, the blotter reminds us that there's no rest for the wicked and no safety for the peaceful.

In a situation where art tried to imitate city life, there was a crime fiction convention in Baltimore last week. Quite the field trip, wouldn't you say?

K.L. Park laments the inability to distribute information through out Baltimore, as it reduces safety in the City, eventually asking,

Is there something we can do to make ourselves less of a target?

My responses: This, this, and especially this. You are welcome.

Two More Homicides

Two teenagers, 18-year-old Howard Grant and 19-year-old Justin Berry, were shot and killed this morning in West Baltimore.
More from el sol

Buz blogs on the Northwood Community Association meeting, why police departments aren't racing to disseminate crime information, and which neighborhood the mayor says is "the worst" in the city.

Kidnapping, sexual assault & carjacking of two teenagers at the Padonia light rail stop.

An arrest in last week's rape of a TU student.
(And isn't it a little disturbing that the attack happened a week ago, but it's only in the news now?)

#170

Darius Burton, 18, around 12:48 this morning in the 4300 block of Davis Avenue, reports JZ.

Who knew? there's a diff between shooting and discharge.

JZ reports that TWO people were shot and one person was stabbed outside the Belvedere this morning!

also Police Beating Victim Wins 24K In Court Settlement

Report of Shooting at the Belvedere

A reader reports that shots were fired at 2 a.m. in front of the Belvedere on Chase and Charles Streets today, and a woman was struck.
Apparently there's now a hip-hop club in the basement, and the shots were fired as a bar fight there spilled onto the street.
ISO more info on this, stay tuned.

Hey former felons: you can vote now!

5 Years for Allgd. Attempted Murderer/Drug Dealer/Home Invader/Witness Intimidator on Probation

Press Release from Margaret Burns
TIMOTHY SUTTON SENTENCED TO 5-YEARS FOR VIOLATING PROBATION

2005 ATTEMPTED SECOND-DEGREE MURDER INVOLVED THREATENING & ASSAULTING WITNESS

Baltimore, MD – October 10, 2008 – At a hearing Wednesday, October 8, 2008, the Honorable Pamela White found Timothy Sutton, 21, of the 1400 block of Wentworth Avenue, guilty of violating his probation. In June 2005 Langley was convicted of attempted second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 10-years suspend all but 3-years years with 5-years probation upon his release in April 2006.

The underlying facts of the attempted second-degree murder case involve threats and intimidation against a witness known by Sutton and his co-defendant who was scheduled to testify in a pending assault case. The defendant was convicted of forcing his way into the witness’ home and threatening the witness with a handgun. The gun misfired. The defendant stopped to clean the chamber of the gun and then the defendant pressed the gun into the witness’ chest. When the gun was clearly inoperable the defendant forced the witness to undress, and while naked and holding a knife, threatened to cut off his genitals. Fighting for his life, the witness was able to get the defendant and co-defendants to flee his home.

In September 2007 while on probation, Sutton was arrested on a new charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Prosecutors were ultimately forced to dismiss both cases because the arresting officer left the Baltimore Police Department in one case and the chemist left the department in the other case.

On Wednesday, Judge White found that Sutton failed to report to his probation officer as required and sentenced him to five-years in prison.

This conviction is the result of a team prosecution brought by the Maryland Division of Parole & Probation agents Alicia LaRue and Laurie Rubin assigned to the Violent Offenders project and Assistant State’s Attorney Nancy Olin of the State’s Attorney’s Collateral Division.

###

What a mess!

"Requests for Jury Trials Swamping City Courts"

After searching Juvie, police still don't know what mystery drug sent five detainees to the ER.

A broad-daylight robbery last weekend, four doors down from where Ken Harris was killed!

Wow, remember the possibly gang-related beating death of Sgt. Juwan Johnson in Germany? There's been an arrest!

A man shot in the leg, two GFs going at each other with a hammer and pepper spray, a scooter-jacking and stolen crappy cars in the blotter.

Homeland homeowner's association is being totally dickish about crime information. I guess it's bad for property values when people hear about moms getting mugged at gunpoint in the alley behind the 300 block of Taplow.

In AAC, four and a half deaths so far this year at the Jennifer Road Detention Center.

Will crime go up as the economy tanks? We all get to find out, together!

13 people shot

this week, mapped by Spotcrime

... the woman shot by police in Cherry Hill was apparently unarmed.

Donna Brown, mother of a 5th grader and former wife of local attorney Warren Brown, was murdered over the weekend in a domestic-violence incident in Prince George's County.

Viewing
Location: March Funeral Home West- Wabash
4300 Wabash Ave
Baltimore, MD 21215

Date: Sunday, October, 12th
Time: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm


Funeral
Location: St Ambrose Catholic Church
4502 Park Heights Ave
Baltimore, MD 21215

Date: Monday October 13th
Time 10:00am -11:00am Wake hours
Service: 11:00am

Anarchy in the DJJ!

Mrs. JB: "Ten teenage boys barricaded themselves for eight hours overnight Tuesday at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, first in an office and then in a residential area, where they destroyed furniture."

"The Maryland State Police and teams of drug-sniffing dogs raided the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center this morning"

A police-involved shooting in Cherry Hill this morning.

Thursday, and business as usual

Sheila Dixon has a problem with Northwood Shopping Center, where former Councilman Kenneth Harris was shot. Way to get on this bandwagon a few decades late. Perhaps you want to comment on the trash problem the city has too? Her solution includes asking the community for help, an all too common plan for leadership without the fortitude to hire more cops.

In the meantime, Gregory Kane reflects on the difficulty of catching Harris' Killers in Baltimore, saying:

Unfortunately, we’re dealing with a subculture in Baltimore whose adherents think the moral thing to do is to NOT give up Harris’ killers. Does anyone really believe that no one knows who killed Harris other then the ones who committed the slaying?

The suspects have friends, relatives and perhaps girlfriends who know exactly what they did. So far, not one of them has come forward to finger the killers. Such is the grip that the “Stop Snitching” mind-set has on some people in this town.

In all this, we should remember that Annette Harris lost her husband, and her children's father, and she wants justice served as well.

A defendant in a Howard County rape/assault trial alleges the sex was consensual. Great job, hotshot - now, explain the choking.

Another no longer alleged scumbag has received life in prison as well for a 2006 murder. How soon until we hear about how racist and unconstitutional life in prison is has yet to be determined.

Another one of our city's little dears will be spending (at most)30 years in jail for shooting another teenager.

Score one for the alleged bad guys, thanks to the Court of Special Appeals.

More random thefts, robberies and assualts in Harm City. But at least we don't have to deal with Turkish Cockroaches... yet...

This just in from the City Paper

This week's "Murder Ink" adds one more unid'd body and one new name,
Craig Colvin, age 23,
to the toll.


... and did you know? 'shroomin is good for people with terminal cancer.

Thnx txpyers, ur da best!!

"The six projects at the heart of an investigation into connections between Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and local developer Ronald H. Lipscomb represent at least $562 million in investment, with at least $66 million of that coming in the form of public subsidies."

Former Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Tim Hutchins: "There was need" for state police to spy on hippies

"Lawyer sues city, Trigen over fall into steam pit"

.. and who's going to pay for criminal defenders for the poor?
Why, YOU are!

Crime-Newsful Wednesday

William Haskins, 32, was found shot to death on Penrose in West Baltimore Saturday.
(Thanks C)

A reader reported a soon-to-be-fatal shooting near the 1900 block Frederick Ave in the Southwest around September 28.

Clayton Oxendine, 24, was ID'd as the man shot to death in the 300 block of S. Fulton Ave., his brother was also shot in the shoulder.
And a 15-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot.

Cyprian Jackson, 29, died September 8, eight years after being shot.

A 15-year-old girl raped on Harford Road, and a woman stabbed in the neck and chest in an argument over fish. And a woman stabbed by a relative.

The warrant task force nabbed a 42-year-old bar robber and a 16-year-old armed mugger.

Huh? High school basketball coach jailed for burglary and assault!

Peter Hermann tells a tangled tale of Darion Sawyer and Jeffrey L. Brown, with the defense claiming that the victim was the scary stalker.

Report in Pasadena of dogs and cats being killed and burned.

Harris Gun Previously Used for 'Vandalism'

Fenton: "The gun used to kill former City Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr. was used in another crime in the same Northeast Baltimore shopping center months before, but police classified the earlier incident as a property crime instead of an attempted armed robbery" though "the suspects fired two rounds from a 9 mm handgun into the door, leaving bullet marks."

!!!

Whups.

From the SAO:
The State’s Attorney’s Office entered a nolle pros yesterday in three burglary counts pending against Michael Peacock, 35, of the 3600 block of Elmora Ave.

The State’s Attorney’s Office filed criminal informations March 17, 2008 against Peacock charging him with multiple counts of burglary in Pigtown. Upon further investigation, the State learned that Peacock was incarcerated at the time of three of the four alleged burglaries.

An Evening Update

"County prosecutors on Monday won six convictions against one of the most prolific rapists in state history."

Alleged killer dad Mark Castillo was found competent to stand trial.

AAC police are looking for two armed-home-invading teenagers.

Page Croyder blogs about Baltimore District Judge Askew (yes, Askew) W. Gatewood, Jr., accused of illegal dumping and residential sketchiness.

And some murder convictions, from your friendly State's Attorney's office:

At a hearing today Judge Lynn K. Stewart sentenced Tevin Moultrie, 17, of the 1600 block of Cliftview Avenue to 30 years in prison for second-degree murder, 20 years concurrent for use of a handgun in a crime of violence and one year each on two counts of reckless endangerment. Judge Stewart ordered all sentences to run concurrently. On March 6, 2008, Moultrie pled guilty to the following facts of the case. On March 13, 2007 Moultrie shot Steven Washington, 17, in the 1600 block of Cliftview Avenue following an altercation between the two. Washington was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and died as a result of his injuries.
Co-defendant Maurice Wilkerson pled guilty to accessory after the fact to murder on January 15, 2008 and was granted probation before judgment June 3, 2008 with one year probation. Assistant State’s Attorney Paul O’Connor prosecuted this case.

and

At a hearing today Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Derrick Collins, 24, of the 300 block of S. Gilmore Street, to life in prison for first-degree murder and a concurrent three years in prison for carrying a deadly weapon count. A Baltimore jury convicted Collins August 4, 2008. On December 18, 2006, Derrick Collins attempted to strangle Annette Bardney, 33. When he failed to kill her, he picked up a wooden 2x4 and struck her in the head (nearly severing an ear) until she was dead. He left her body in a secluded back alley in the 700 block of Fremont Avenue behind a church. The defendant then called 911 and reported finding a dead body. After further investigation, it was learned that Collins’ DNA was left at the scene. In addition, his story about how he found the victim changed, and it did not fit with the forensic evidence collected at the scene. Collins asked police while being transported to Central Booking Intake Facility if they could broker a plea deal to manslaughter with the State. Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Wiggins of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Is Justice

hardwired in the human brain?

... some poorly wired alleged cult leaders were arraigned & charged with first-degree murder and other crimes yesterday.

Police released video that may show Ken Harris' killers.

Yikes... "Woodlawn man, 71, charged after attacking wife with brick"

Two shootings, two dead in Harm City...

It was a busy Monday night for gunmen, as two shootings left two people dead in Harm City. One shooting occurred on the 300 block of Fulton Avenue, and another occurred on the 500 Block of Catherine Street (about six blocks away).

Word.

"I have a problem with a private company getting information that should be freely available to the public and getting [taxpayer] money for it!"

Seriously.

Why should individual taxpayers have to threaten a lawsuit to track down basic neighborhood safety info that should be free and accessible to everyone?

Murders #165 & #166

An unid'd man was found shot to death in the 3100 block of Virginia Aveunue.

Infanticide in Charles Village.

A woman and her children found a suspected suicide on Edmondson Ave.
(Who's Rona Marech?)

Have you seen

... this greasy-looking female identity thief?

Anna Ditkoff

Revisits three more murders.

Who decides

... what deaths were suicide, homicide or murder?
Buz sed,

All deaths ruled homicide by the Medical Examiner, and some even before, are reviewed by the Assistant State's Attorney for Violent Crime. He/she, in conjunction with their superiors, make the ruling of "justifiable"."

Well, BUZ, apparently even if the Medical Examiner's office says the death of a tied-up, buried woman might have been a strangulation, THAT is apparently not be not enough to get the police to classify or examine a death as a murder.

... what a wrenching story. That poor sister. What a nightmare.
And with 341 unclassified deaths in 2004-- 341!!-- how many more nightmares are out there?

Robberies, Armed

An armed robbery at 2024 N Charles St

... Maurice Young's bank- and home-invasion-robbery days are over, at age 43 with 38 Rod years ahead of him.

Only

six shootings this week.

An officer was hit by a car during a foot chase.

In Lusby, "Shopping On eBay As Girls Lay Dead"

The dollar may fluctuate, but there'll always be a use for delicious, omega-rich mackerel.

Peter Hermann says police are withholding basic crime info from the press, & "residents of this city know less and less about crime, the very thing they worry about the most."

The WSJ asks, "what ever happened to crime?"

Jayne Miller has entered the blog-o-sphere.

25 years for robbing the McDonald's, from the State hAead hOslappin office:

At a hearing Tuesday Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Shawn Johnson, 29, of the 4200 block of Fairfax Road to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and a consecutive five years in prison for robbery. A Baltimore jury convicted Johnson August 4, 2008.

On March 26, 2007 at approximately 3:00AM Johnson barged into the McDonald’s located on 25 N. Howard Street ordering the victim, an employee who had just arrived, to open the store and turn the alarm off. Johnson walked up behind the victim, placed black handgun to the victim’s head and ordered that he be brought to the safe, demanding that all the money be placed in a bag. Johnson threatened to shoot the victim; the victim complied and Johnson fled with the money. During the robbery, Johnson received a call on his cell phone and the victim heard a male on other end said “we gotta go, police are coming.”

Officers arrived and found co-defendant Stanford Reid coming out of the back alley with a jacket wrapped around his hands. He was stopped and found to be in possession of a handgun and a McDonald’s bag with $1419 currency in it. Reid fully cooperated and pled guilty August 3, 2008 to conspiracy to commit robbery and was granted a probation before judgment and one year probation. Reid and the victim both identified Johnson at trial.

Homicide #166*

An unidentified man found shot "near the 700 block of Allegany Place around near Carey Street about noon."
No s, no m.

* murder #164

That Live Entertainment Ordinance sounds jackassed.

Friday

Pat Jessamy doesn't like regional jury pools (which you wouldn't know from her efforts to shelve the Abell Foundation report), but is the idea constitutional?

As further proof that our political leadership is neither inept nor corrupt, the subpoenas continue for the Sheila Dixon investigation.

Carrie Everett of the Southwestern District of BPD received a reprimand after someone police captured committed suicide during her shift, and she's taken her story to the streets.

Two little dears were arrested for robbing a shoe store in Edmondson Village on September 24th. The issue was education here, as anyone could have taught them a shoe store is no place to rob.

A prosecutor turned appellate judge in Maryland argues against the Death Penalty in The Daily Record.

The economic crisis has even struck homes burgled, as evidenced by the random things nicked in today's blotter.

More on Squirrley McRobrob

His name is William Michael Miller, 44, and he's robbed three banks since Sept 26!... joke's on him, that cash won't be worth anything next week!

... because inflation will rob us all

Here's the article that inspired the new poll (thanks BBoy).
And here are MD's gold coin dealers.

Crabmeat, I Knew it!

Sentementes tracks down Johnny Hood, aka the Waverly seafood booster from yesterday's Blotter... don't miss the mug shot!

Today's "old man guilty of kiddie porn charges" link

#165

Michael Wilson, 24, of Belair Road was found shot multiple times in the torsoin Northeast Baltimore this morning. He later died at a nearby hospital. Interestingly enough, he was on probation from a drug conviction in 2006.

A man beaten to death in Essex was ID'd as Eddie Alonso Stewart, 24.

Broadwater tells the tale of attempted-murder victim Sean Levy.

The Ink details last week's murders, reports Delawntae Finley has been removed from the toll. If that's the case, then police are likely not counting the death of Anthony Coates, #121, which would explain the discrepancy between numbers.

Did area drug dealers steal the formula for happy pills?

A Salisbury woman was awarded $1.8 million after being wrongfully terminated from a pest-control company.

Some unspecified criminal charge was dropped in the case of a MoCo loon who threatened the gov, Hillary and Mikulski.

A TDR law blogger asks, "Should American courts be prevented from enforcing defamation judgments obtained in countries with weaker free speech protections?"

More on the probe into police spying. Your tax $ at work!

Gregory Barber, 23, the former live-in boyfriend of Kermia Hair, 25, of Bolton Hill, has been charged in her murder.

The ACLU wants more info on state police spying

How Can You Just Not Show?

According to this NYT map, the majority of MD's representatives--- Wayne Gilchrest, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Steny Hoyer and Christopher Van Hollen, Jr.-- didn't vote last night on the so-called "bailout" package ...
(see comments for correction)
Here's the financial mess explained handily, if you're interested.
Now back to our usual programming...

City council docs have been subpoenaed in the Dixon/Doracon probe-- and the state prosecutor now has new record-subpoena-ing powers.

Five years for the killer of Estefany Gonzalez.

The 15-year-old who was shot while standing on a porch in East Baltimore's Midway neighborhood was ID'd as Derrick "Terrell" Reed.

#164

43-year-old Helen Reightler, stabbed at the Inner Harbor, died Monday of her injuries.

Have you seen

this bald n squirrelly bank robber?

Two city twentysomethings were arrested in AAC for stealing catalytic converters.

Getting Away With Murder: a Primer

We've been long curious as to why Baltimore & MD have such astronomical rates of "undetermined" deaths compared to other areas; this J&B story about the postmortem of suspected prostitute Tyra McClary, who apparently tied herself up, removed her own underwear and buried herself, is enlightening.

Fifteen years for first-degree murder: it never ceases to shock the shit outta me. Today's lucky winner of that incredible deal was Marcus L. Pettiford, 22, of the 2000 of E. 31st Street, who pled guilty and got 50 years, all but 15 suspended, and 5 years probation from Judge Charles G. Bernstein. Details:

On June 5, 2007 at approximately 12:04AM in the 1700 block of East 30th Street Pettiford approached Tyrone Bonner, 29. After a brief argument, Pettiford pulled out a handgun and shot Bonner five times. Pettiford and an alleged co-defendant fled on foot. Emergency personnel transported Bonner to Johns Hopkins hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:33AM. Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Felsen of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

See, it's dangerous in the burbs, too: a man was shot in the neck ... or was it the jaw? outside of the Manhattan Grill in Perry Hall.

Wouldn't You Know it

Rasslin' Luke Broadwater's butt-stapling story got picked up by PerezHilton.com-- with 3 million views, that easily makes it the Ex's most-read story ever!
PS., the buttmenz paper chain has endorsed McCain.
... seems a little premature, but that's how mavericks roll I guess!

Creepy: "Lawyers have started Googling and Facebooking prospective jurors to get a sense of whether they want them on the jury."

#163

A 28-year-old man died after he was found inside a van (... or was it a car?) at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of North Broadway in east Baltimore with gunshot wounds.

A man was shot in the leg and calf in south Baltimore; a woman was carjacked north of Butcher's Hill

Tyrell D. Tyler, 19, was convicted of attempted murder and gun charges.

A Paki guy got 33 Rosenstein months for his role in a green card/ buttlegging/ bribery conspiracy.

What the?! "Sheriff's deputies in southern Maryland on Monday continued to investigate the discovery of the bodies of two small children in a freezer"

A witness in the barbershop beating contradicts detective Love's account of the events.

?! Police collect criminal DNA from scenes, but tell lab to ignore it.

Tragic: a MD state police helicopter crashed this morning, killing two troopers, a medical technician and an accident victim.

... just what Baltimore nightlife needs: more bureaucracy.

Qs of the day: Why is MD's infant mortality rate as lousy as Uruguay's?

Why was a Bmore police officer forced to look at KKK web sites?

Nine Shootings This Week

... mapped by Spotcrime.

Friday

A man was found fatally shot in the head in Northwest Baltimore this Morning.

Police are seeking a Pennsylvania man - connected with killing a Pennsylvania woman - whose getaway car has been found in the City. This leads me to think that everyone knows this is a criminal haven.

Rule one of criminal buffoonery: Reach for an officer's pistol, while out on bail and at a drug stop.

The Funeral of former Councilman Kenneth Harris was covered by The Examiner, and The Sun.

As this happens, the Baltimore Crime Beat - not to be confused with our Baltimore Crime Blog here - discusses Northwood Plaza, where Harris was shot, as well as dialogue on what to do with it.

He said, they said: A witness is alleging that a Baltimore Officer and Baltimore County Sheriff's deputy beat on a man who they claimed got away. No word yet on whether he actually just "fell down some stairs".

Annals of Witness Intimidation

The claim: While his client got tanna in Guyana, attorney Robert Simels hatched plans that involved "eliminating" witnesses and "neutralizing" their testimony.

Also today, says the office of the Head Ho Slappa, (copy-edited by me):

a jury found Wayne Morris, 22 of the 300 block of S. Calhoun Street guilty of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. The jury deliberated for approximately one day following testimony. Morris was found not guilty of witness intimidation and second-degree assault. His sentencing is set for October 28. The maximum penalty on all charges under Maryland law is 20 years in prison. Maryland enacted a new law in 2005 that changed the maximum penalty for witness intimidation to 20 years in prison.

Following his April 2006 arrest for a home invasion and murder, Morris was charged with witness intimidation, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit assault after investigators reviewed more than 36 phone calls Morris made from Baltimore City Jail. In those phone calls, Morris commanded and directed persons to take action against the witnesses in the murder case in an attempt to prevent their testimony in his trial, including a pregnant witness. Morris can be heard in many calls, played in open court, describing how he wanted to get out of jail and come home, and needed help to eliminate witness testimony to thwart his murder case.

On August 27, 2008 Morris was convicted of second-degree murder, five counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of robbery deadly weapon, two counts of attempted robbery deadly weapon, four counts of assault and 4-counts of conspiracy to rob in the home invasion. In that matter, Judge Clifton J. Gordy scheduled sentencing for October 28, 2008.

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

A lot of examiner Love for Ken Harris

You have to give respect to the Baltimore Examiner. Despite the unwieldy website - which I'm finally learning to navigate - they did a good job of covering the reactions to the death of former city councilman Kenneth Harris, Sr.

Gregory Kane summarizes his view of Harris' legacy and how we as citizens can remember him best. True to a good Gregory Kane writing, his view is peppered with his cynicism towards the city, with quotes such as:

When Baltimore voters rejected him, I saw it as a rejection of accountability. I figured Baltimoreans — who acted like true, bona fide Balti-morons in this instance — really didn’t want the answers to those questions Harris put to Brown, or want to know about those sloppy budgets the school board put out or budget deficits of $58 million. Balti-morons would get exactly the municipal government we deserved.

Michael Olesker is saddened but disgusted with us for the death, arguing that most citizens have become numb to the murders in baltimore until people like Ken Harris get killed. What Olesker doesn't know is that our government has assured us that only bad people die in Baltimore.

Luke Broadwater reflects on his final interview with Harris, who, perhaps in a case of irony, was discussing another victim of crime.

Stephen Janis has collected some quotes from Harris, which shows him to be a squeaky wheel in a grease-free city government.

The BPD has pledged all of its resources to solve the death of Harris. That sounds like a good idea, since the other people killed didn't deserve the same treatment. I know, more bad people killed, yes...

Frank Conway and the Family wants to help pay to lower gun crimes. Political? Yes. But hey, I don't see Sheila Dixon offering any fur coats, do you?

Plenty of activities in the Local Blotter too. After all, the law abiding citizens won't scare and concern themselves.

15-year-old is #161

The Baltimore Sun reports that a 15-year-old shot in the abdomen last night on the 2500 block of Aisquith Street has died at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

One Sketch-Ass Mall

Day late, dollar short dept: "Police are preparing for a sweeping search of the neighborhood where former City Councilman Ken Harris was murdered three days ago." ... The Northeast has been plagued by violence and robberies-- more so than usual, I guess. ... Stolen autos, shootings, robberies and shoplifting around the Northwood plaza strip mall since July, mapped by Spotcrime ... ... and Gus Sentementes guest-blogs about a young Ken Harris on "Crime Beat."

The Murder Ink is up to 159, puts names to the numbers
(Our count is one off of the Ink's and two off of the PD's, wonder why? Did the police take off the two "justifieds"?)

Overhead on the scanner: armed robbery at about 7 p.m. in the 800 block of Guilford Avenue, suspect described as a "#1 male, armed and dangerous" (thanks, that narrows it down!)

You hope summer's out of reach: a geezer with a metal detector found a hand grenade on the beach in OC.

ME: No Drugs Involved in K-Swift's Death

Drugs & alcohol have been ruled out in the death of K-Swift; her death was attributed to neck injuries.

A 15-year-old was arrested for shooting a 9-year-old.

County police are looking for a white guy with a neck tattoo who robbed the Northwest Savings Bank.

An 11-year-old girl stabbed with scissors, a guy shot with a bb gun and a man stabbed in the head, neck, back and an arm by robbers after disembarking from a bus.

The death penalty commission has held its last hearing. Police are investigating the death of an inmate at Central Booking. But what story gets top billing in the Examiner's crime pages?

Speaking of the big D, the trial of Baltimorean-turned-alleged-courthouse-killer Brian Nichols is finally underway in Atlanta after years of delay. Here's that New Yorker article about Nichols and Georgia's "death penalty paradox."

The crappy economy is making it tougher for sperminators to make child support payments, and the city is grappling with what to do with crazy, drug-addicted "parents."

American Taliban

... at first it sounded a little over the top, but after reading this, I'm not so sure.

So Many Bullets

A 50-year-old man was shot in the stomach on Howard Street this morning.

A man was shot multiple times on Saturday on Pulaski Highway.
Also robberies in Bolton Hill.

Police have released pictures of the nightmarish mask used by one of the gunmen in Ken Harris' murder, which may have been used in other crimes. Reports conflict on where Harris was shot: "ambushed" by the club's front door, or while fleeing to his car. The E reveals that the New Haven lounge had been robbed once before in the past three months. No new information on the mysterious woman in the car.

A MD student was killed in MA, and a MD doctor was killed in Pakistan.

County police are looking for a burgundy Chevy Suburban with front-end damage that was involved in a hit-and-run that killed a man in Woodlawn.
AAC Police are also looking for a light-colored 1990s American van, implicated in a fatal hit-and-run involving a motorcycle in Glen Burnie.

Fights breakout! The smell of alcohol on the suspect's breathe! Reports spread through hearsay! A party at Towson's University Union led an arrest, a hospital visit and linguistic horrors in the Towerlight.

Anna Sowers has a guest column in today's Examiner regarding Jessamy's response to the jury bias report.