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Anthony Benitez, 21, was shot to death Wednesday near O'Donnell Heights.

"Decomposed body found in St. Paul Street garage"

City may lose out on Justice Department funds because no one can figure out how previous federal grants were spent (Didn't that happen in the school system, too?).

Detroit and Baltimore-- who's #1?

Rent and wreck

Smashing up rental cars is costing the BCP lots of dough

Police response to a nanny attack in Bolton Hill raises questions

"An Owings Mills woman was sentenced to a year in prison Wednesday after she pleaded guilty to stealing more than $450,000 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore"

96?

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Baltimore PoliceDept SUSPICIOUS DEATH: 2743 St Paul St. Body of elderly adult male found.

Guess whose

beach weekend was ruined by the first JURY DUTY of my life tomorrow?
Be careful what you wish for!
So where should I park?
Can you plug in your laptop? Is there an Internet connection? Can you bring in your phone?
Where are you supposed to go first?
I can't find that piece of paper they mailed me!!
$@#&!

Sex offender on the move

A convicted sex offender who abused family members in Baltimore has been charged in West Virginia for abusing more children in his care.

Ink of the Week

Ink updates city's murder toll to 94, (Sun says 95) Anna Ditkoff is on Ed Norris this morning from 9:30-10. The Northeast is far surpassing other districts' murder rates.

Fenton: "Baltimore saw fewer killings last year than any other in the past two decades, but data released this week show the city's homicide rate ranked the highest among the nation's cities with a population of more than 500,000."

Two teenagers shot after midnight

A second suspect arrested in the Coconuts murder

From the SAO:

June 3, 2009 – State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced today that prosecutors secured a 25-year no parole sentence against Darnell Smith, 28 of 1602 E. Belvedere Street, Baltimore following his conviction on October 10, 2008 for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Judge Timothy J. Doory imposed the sentence at a hearing yesterday. The State’s Attorney’s Office filed for enhanced penalties after reviewing Smith’s criminal record. Smith had three prior drug convictions.

On November 27, 2007 at about 3 PM on 3100 Presbury Street, an undercover officer approached Darnell Smith and said, “Any ready out?” This is the street term for cocaine. Mr. Smith stated, “Yeah” and the undercover officer asked for 2 dimes of cocaine. Mr. Smith advised the undercover officer to go wait in his car and yelled “you bring back 4” to Rodney Holden. Mr. Holden walked out of view for approx. 15 seconds and Mr. Smith met a co-defendant at Presbury and Bloomingdale Streets. He then walked to the vehicle and handed the undercover officer 4 zip locks of cocaine in exchange for 2 $10 bills of pre-recorded buy money. Both were arrested and positively arrested by officers who recovered $146 along with the 2 $10 bills of pre-recorded buy money.

The case was prosecuted by narcotics prosecutor Keri Borzilleri.

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Baltimore PoliceDept "HOMICIDE: 21 OLD RIVERSIDE RD, ADULT MALE SHOT" (@ 8 a.m. 6/2)
Also
"SERIOUS AGG ASLT (CUTTING): 2601 MADISON AVE, 2 ADULT FEMALES CUT BY EX-HUSBAND. SERIOUS INJURIES TO BOTH" (@ 1 a.m. 6/1)
"UPDATE SUSPICIOUS DEATH - @ 1943 Mosher St. No obvious signs of foul play. Medical examiner will investigate further" (@ 10 p.m. 6/1)

Liberian presidential candidate Joseph Woah-Tee was the city's 92nd homicide.
Ditkoff: "Last year, another Liberian was murdered in Baltimore City. Jeff Payne, a 22-year-old African-American man, was shot at a party at the Morgan View Apartments on Feb. 15, 2008. At the sentencing of his killer, his family lamented the fact that he survived so many years of civil war in Liberia to die violently in Baltimore."

Wells Fargo whistleblowers say loan officers rode "stagecoach to Hell," pushing "Ghetto loans" on "mud people"

"Gansler considers recognizing gay marriages"

Random Attacks

Victims of random attacks by packs of juveniles include an off-duty NJ police officer. Reader "Tom" writes about a man punched in the face by teens on the Light Rail.

QTD: "The harbor should not be a de facto day care center for people"
- FHB III

Police say last week's raids caught a big fish, Emiliano "Blikk" Aguas, "identified as the leader of the local Pasadena Denver Lanes Bloods set" and now being held without bail.

Undetermined re-cap

Undetermined deaths on the rise, according to 2007 annual report from the State Medical Examiner's office.

Six shootings and one stabbing

in the past 24 hours, reports Spotcrime

NYT: "Black tar" heroin from Ohio making its way southwest

Wired Magazine

... on cell phones in prisons.

Two burned dogs

From the SAO:

On December 12, 2007 Scottie Marco Pinder, Linwood Buckson, 28, of the 2500 block of the Edgecomb Circle was convicted of animal cruelty and second-degree arson (207253015-016) and was sentenced to two years in prison by Judge Martin P. Welch.

Today, in a violation of probation hearing before Judge Welch, Pinder was found guilty of violating his probation and the court sentenced him to the balance of the two years, six month suspended sentence he received on December 12, 2007.

On August 1, 2007 at 8:45PM police responded to the 2700 block of Ulman Avenue for a report of a dog killed as a result of being set on fire. Upon arrival, police took a report from a victim who stated that her German Sheppard, Alize, was set on fire and that the victim knew the person who set Alize on fire and that he was still in the vicinity. The victim identified Pinder and police placed him under arrest.

During his violation of probation hearing today, Judge Welch found that Pinder violated the terms of his probation by a rule 10 violation, or failure to pay all fines, costs and fees as ordered by the court. Those fees totaled $1,400.

Assistant State’s Attorney Nancy Olin of the Collateral Division prosecuted this case.

Meanwhile, Phoenix, the bull terrier set on fire in the SW has died this morning of her injuries.

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BaltimorePolice SHOOTING: REPORTING @ 2400 RUECKERT, ADULT MALE FOUND IN ABANDONED CAR. POLICE INVESTIGATING

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SHOOTING: REPORTED @ PORT ST / MCELDERRY ST. ADULT MALE SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES. UNITS ARE ON THE SCENE.

TGIF

Why charges against Dixon and Holton were dropped: swapping services for votes isn't illegal!

Hermann on the Crime Stat disconnect, plus part 2

Yesterday's raids were brought to you by Operation Dial a Cell

It's a Gang Code Glossary, birthday boys and girls!

Kids these days...
From ambitious scholarship recipient to felon: what happened to Sirlilar Stokes?

Hagtown teen to be tried as adult for soliciting murder of dad

Two claiming to be priest's children suing Baltimore Catholic order

Bed bugs in b-nmore

Bed bugs and other critters have residents of a city homeless shelter up in arms and planning to march on city hall.

Helen Holton off the hook!!

Some charges dismissed against the Mayor, entire case against Helen Holton thrown out ("God that can do anything but fail has found favor with this child of his ... HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!")

Raids!

Federales!

Assorted Crime News of the Day...

Jailhouse snitches (including one featured in "Stop Snitching") are the feds' golden hope in the capital-murder trial of Dinkins, Gilbert and Goods, accused of killing witness John P. Downey Jr.

Baltimore PoliceDept HOMICIDE ARREST: Christopher Briggs (M/B/DOB12/23/93) was arrested yesterday for the May 25th murder of Keon Cameron; Tavon Julian Grey (12/12/82) was arrested TODAY for the Aug 08 murder of Eric Jebron Brown

A pitbull set on fire in the SW

More mayhem at the Victor Cullen Academy

No reports of random attacks lately ... except for this poor guy

Catholics designate a week in June to pray for peace;
"Community Conferencing Center uses restorative justice techniques to deal with crime in Baltimore"
HBR on the art of the apology

Extras:
We've all been there, right? Mom leads cops on chase around 495 with three kids in the car
Perceived racism makes you fat, study says

90. 91

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Unidentified man, 20s, 15. S. Eutaw St.
Unidentified man, 32, 1101 W. North Ave. (scene footage from WMAR)
A man shot in the upper body at 1306 Roundhill Rd.
Shootings mapped

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David Parker, 200 block of N. Collington Ave., about 10:35 a.m. yesterday

.. and Statistics

Overall, crime is down, police say. The reduction may not be immediately obvious however-- burglaries and car break-ins are up, and there are 9 more murders this year than there were during the same period of '08.

There's audio of Justin Fenton and JHU Prof Doug Ward talking crime numbers on WYPR.

Have you seen...

Police ISO Donald Donnell Brown Jr., right, in connection with a shooting in Edgewater

Beyond Recognition

"A man dressed up as a woman and standing on the corner, even though it's obvious what he is doing, is not against the law."

A few lucky residents of the Central will win a police ride-along

Hagtown inmate beaten beyond recognition; wrong family notified of an inmate suicide at the Eastern Correction Institution

Parents' insurance companies to pay for boy burned by acid on playground slide

Baltimoreans go to Ocean City, get arrested for brawling on Boardwalk

Scandal in Boonsboro: a pastor's spouse on the sex offender registry

Amusingly Defaced Street Signs, pts 1, 2 and 3

The Right Thing

Last month's firing of the Police chief of internal affairs' trial boards has led to misconduct charges being dropped against 12 officers.
Says Sun's Andy Green(?): "The Baltimore Police Department is doing the right thing"

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"A 24-year-old man was shot about 10 p.m. Monday in the 3100 block of Cliftmont Ave. and later died of his injuries"

... and the winner is...

Sonia Sotomayor!
Sonia Sotomayor!
Sonia Sotomayor!

The California court is due to rule on Prop H8, too. An exciting day in American jurisprudence!

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WJZ reports four murders so far this holiday weekend: Hardy Jones, found around 6:30 a.m. today in a car in the 3300-block of Noble Street. Also dead, Keon Cameron, "involved in a verbal altercation that escalated into a fight on the 1800-block of East 28 Street" on Saturday.

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BPD via Facebook: "HOMICIDE: UNIT BLOCK CLINTON ST. ADULT MALE FOUND SITTING IN CAR WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND."


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18-year-old Chernere Wooten was shot to death in the 300 block of North Carollton Avenue at around 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Shooting in the 2100-block of Sinclair Lane at around 12:45 p.m. yesterday afternoon, police are "looking for two men seen running from the scene. One man was wearing no shirt and plaid shorts. The second was seen wearing a black hat and white shirts."

Stabbing@ Charles & Mulberry

Baltimore PoliceDept STABBING: N. CHARLES ST / E. MULBERRY ADULT MALE STABBED.
Posted around 8 p.m.

84

BPD Twitterberry: SHOOTING: 2100 SINCLAIR / 2000 CHESTER. ADULT MALE SHOT IN CRITICAL CONDITION. POLICE INVESTIGATING

Fox Tweets "Baltimore City police have identified the woman found fatally shot Saturday in West Baltimore as 18-year-old Chernere Wooten."

Swine flu

As if we don't have enough problems, health officials have discovered three confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Baltimore City.

Still MORE Random Attacks

by packs of "wilding" teenagers, most recently in Federal Hill/ South Baltimore.

CHUM shooting

5/23 1801 E. 28th. Adult male

Prop 8 Won't Pass

But it doesn't matter, predicts Law Dork 2.0

Whole Lot of "Special"

A courthouse fight ensued after a U.S. marshall put a witness in the same holding cell as Gilbert, Dinkins and Goods, the "Special" gangsters accused of killing murder witness John P. Dowery Jr.

North Avenue fender bender part III

IV now has photos of accident damage to a car involved in a fender bender that lead to the suspension of three school police officers

82, 83

Two new victims added to '09's toll:


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# 83. Lee Johnson, 28, shot Sept. 27, 2008, 1900 block of Frederick Ave. (5/22)


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# 82. Tavon Crawford, 26, shot April 12, 2005, 2700 block of Saint Lo Drive (d. 1/2009)

Too Much Attention, Too Little Attention

Court of Appeals: city's "problem-solving" drug courts are legal

Former deacon of Beth El Temple Church of Christ in Park Heights accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy

Legislature closes sex-offender loophole

Hagtown corrections officers to be tried in groups for inmate beating

Mom-napped 555-pound teen found in town (wonder if she's like that creepy "Half Ton Teen" mom, spackling extra mayo on his sandwiches)

Wow! The American Brewery in Broadway East has been restored to serve as HQ for a nonprofit. Broadway East is aka "a Neighborhood Abandoned"

Pending

A backlog of "Pending" cases, like those of the bodies found in the Harbor, leave some questionable deaths in purgatory

Fed. Hill Assailants on the Streets

Ashley Adoline Zion, 22, (right) and Brittany Meekins, 19 are out on probation after pleading guilty to second-degree assault for their roles in a triple stabbing in Federal Hill.
If the JIS is up-to-date, it does appear Zion still could face charges of juror intimidation and parole violations in Anne Arundel County.
UPDATE: The SAO tells us the Sun story is inaccurate-- they were not sentenced to time served, but eight years suspended and three years' probation.
Don't ef it up, ladies!

Jayne Miller has video of what appears to be some highly questionable police search action at an unnamed West Baltimore bar

More Random Attacks

in Charles Village and Mt. Vernon, a second-hand source tells Hermann police hung up on the victim

More prostitution than usual on St. Paul street

Faith Bocian's murder bears stolen

Public Transportation = Dangerous

A mother and daughter were attacked by teenagers on the metro Monday while on the way to Hopkins for treatment for daughter's neurological condition. Three teens were arrested and charged as juveniles; the MTA won't release video of the attack.

"Baltimore police said a man is in critical condition after his throat was slashed Wednesday during an argument at a bus stop near Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. in the 4900 block of Eastern Ave."

Guilty verdict in Timonium light-rail assault, Kiheem Malik Taylor, 22, faces a maximum of two life sentences plus 140 years in jail.

BPD: 84-year-old homeless Lucio Solorzano beaten to death with his own walking stick

"Gov. Martin O’Malley signed legislation on Tuesday requiring a judge to confiscate firearms from people who have final protective orders filed against them."

BBC's world news programme features a segment narrated by "Baltimore's Crime Scene Reporter" Peter Hermann with a cameo by Gus Sentementes

Two years for kidnapping, torture of teens

Luke blogged this already, but did you catch it? "Two of the five men accused of kidnapping two teenagers from a bus stop and torturing them in an attempt to elicit information about a stolen PlayStation game console pleaded guilty to second-degree assault Monday and were sentenced to two years in prison."

Bealefeld: "... if it happened in a white neighborhood in any other community in this state, we'd still be talking about it, and people would be talking about life sentences"

81 = 84

Police tweet: "HOMICIDE ARREST: Hector Jose Posado H/M/35 arrested JUST NOW for the homicide of 84 yr old Lucio Solarzano which occured Sunday" ... found beaten to death behind the Texaco at 7001 Reisterstown Rd.

Also, "Xavian Chriscoe M/B/DOB-1/6/78 was arrested yesterday @ 4026 W. Century Blvd.
Inglewood CA. for the Murder of Shaun Williams which occurred on 4/27/09 @ 2200 Christian St." (right)

A shot fired at the bucolic Jarrettsville BP station, county police are ISO a do-rag'd dingus and his blond female friend

Workshop for Families of Homicide Victims

From the SAO:

Survivors Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is sponsoring an Information Workshop for Caretakers of Children (that have lost a parent to homicide). The session is scheduled for Saturday May 23, 2009, 10:30am-12:30pm at the Enoch Pratt Library, 1303 Orleans Street (parking in the rear). The purpose is to provide useful information for families whose loved ones have been murdered and are faced with the additional challenge of raising their children.

For Further Information Contact:
Robin Haskins
(410) 361-9301
(443) 226-3497

School police

IV editor Regina Holmes rants on the controversy surrounding the suspension of three city school police officers.

Tuesday morning cheer

• They were two college-bound 17-year-olds from Baltimore County in the back seat of a car at the Timonium light rail station.

But their “make out” session quickly turned into a traumatic attack when two men kidnapped them at gunpoint, forced the boy into the trunk and sexually assaulted the girl before dumping them both in Baltimore City’s Cherry Hill neighborhood, the victims testified Monday in Baltimore County Circuit Court.

• Baltimore police found an unidentified body Tuesday morning in the Inner Harbor near the Maryland Science Center. 

• A federal grand jury indicted a Reisterstown couple on four counts of child sex trafficking, alleging that the pair recruited, housed and prostituted three minor teenage girls, in part by advertising sexual services on Craigslist.

• Two of the five men accused of kidnapping two teenagers from a bus stop and torturing them in an attempt to elicit information about a stolen PlayStation game console pleaded guilty to second-degree assault Monday and were sentenced to two years in prison.

• One Carroll County man has been arrested and another is awaiting extradition from Florida on charges related to recent burglaries in Manchester, according to Maryland State Police.

State Pursues Attempted Murderer/Cell Phone Smuggler for VOP

From Margaret Burns of the SAO:

A violation of probation hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 9 AM before Judge Lynn K. Stewart in the case of State vs. Jerrod Rowlett. The State intends to proceed on a violation of probation without a conviction (Rule 4 Violation). Rowlett is alleged to have possessed a cell phone and charger while held on bail at the city jail and prosecutors believe this violation constitutes Rowlett’s failure to obey all rules.

On August 8, 2007 Rowlett pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and first degree assault. He was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years suspend all but time served leaving a suspended sentence of 14 years and 11 months and five years probation through August 8, 2012.

On June 7, 2008 Rowlett was arrested and charged with attempted murder and indicted under case number 108185009. That case is scheduled for May 26, 2009. On August 20, 2008 while incarcerated at the Baltimore City Detention Center and awaiting trial, Rowlett was allegedly found in possession of a cell phone and charger. Following an investigation by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, he was arrested and charged with possession of a telecommunications device in December 2008. That matter was ultimately placed on the stet docket.

Since that time, prosecutors have reviewed Rowlett’s probation case with probation agents assigned to the Division of Probation and members of the Violent Repeat Offender work group and have determined to proceed on the above violation. Nancy Olin of the Collateral Division will represent the State.

Sigh.

Shooting death in Dundalk

Tires slashed in West Baltimore

Homeless man beaten and robbed of art supplies

Two CV Incidents

From JHU Security:
Armed Robbery – Rear of 3246 Abell Ave. – On May 15th at 1:10 AM, two undergraduates walking east on 33rd Street were approached by two unknown males who emerged from an alley. One male displayed a handgun and repeatedly mumbled, “Give it up.”  The suspects took a wallet, cell phone and keys from one of the students and then fled south through the alley.  No injuries.  Baltimore Police responded. The incident was reported to Campus Security on May 15th at 1:23 PM. Investigation continuing.

Commercial Burglary – 3100 St. Paul St., Suite #1, Video Americain – On May 17th at 1:55 AM, Baltimore Police and store owner responded for an alarm. It was found that $200 cash had been taken from store. Entry had been gained by forcing open an interior basement door.  Investigation continuing by Baltimore Police.

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Police tweet: "HOMICIDE: Reported @ 7001 Reisterstown Rd. Adult male found with head injuries, police investigating"

also

SHOOTING: Reported @ 4103 Stokes Dr, prelim report of non-life threatening injuries.
Yesterday [5/16/09] at 12:42am
SHOOTING: Reported @ 500 Edgewood St. Adult female shot in the chest, person taken into custody
Yesterday [5/16/09] at 8:20pm
SHOOTING: Reported @ 3100 blk of McElderry, initial report of adult male shot in leg. Police investigating 10:13pm [5/16/09]

Hermann: house of beheaded Gypsy still standing, and her crazed killer is free

Ronnie Winkler, accused of strangling 19-year-old Kiuna Jackson and dumping her body in Herring Run park, was indicted by a Frederick jury on first-degree murder charges in the death of Shneara Kerrie Boone, also 19.

Another brawl at the Harbor?!

"About 20 to 30 young people were observed fighting at about 2:30 p.m." today near the World Trade Center, five were arrested. Apparently all city schools were dismissed early for parent/teacher conference day.

Bail Granted for Fugitive

From "no bail" to $500k for alleged killer pastor James Clea III from Judge Nathan Braverman. Clea is charged with first-degree murder in the death of blind, disabled Lemuel Wallace, found shot in a Leakin Park restroom. After his alleged accomplice was arrested, Clea fled to a motel in South Carolina.

Assault at the Crispy Bagel

The Sun reports a man shot in the arm in the parking lot of the Crispy Bagel on Franklintown Road, though the BPD reports "Investigation revealed that 230 N. Franklintown is an aggravated assault, not a shooting."

Western Correctional inmate admits to strangling his cellmate, gets another life sentence on top of his life sentence.

A "confrontational" man shot by county police in Lochearn

CSA: MD's sex offender registry doesn't violate rights to privacy

Spoiler alert! Stop reading if you can't handle scandalous truth! The "black-eyed Susans" at Preakness are really mums! Also, while we're at it, the USS Constellation was built in 1854, not 1797, and Phillip's crab cakes are not made of blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, but South African and South Asian species, Portunus pelagicus. You're welcome.

Thought police

School police are cracking down on employees who wrote unflattering comments about management on the Web.

Spectators Intimidate Witness before Murder Testimony

How much more brazen can it get?!

Clearance Stats

Via Facebook: "HOMICIDE STATS: So far this year, BPD has charged 75 people w/ murder compared to 26 last year. Homicide clearance rate is 63% vs 51% in 08... these are homicides from the last couple of years."

Ed Norris podcast: Carl Lackl's mom and sister punched in the head in the courtroom! (Note to slacking workers: this is an audio link)

Another tourist assault: Yankees fans robbed at the same motel where Petro Taylor was beaten

Oh the Geniosity

What the?! Witness breaks out of handcuffs and beats defendant at the courthouse!

"Special" gang members made sure the short bus ran on time

After swapping out cell phones, Feds then had to crack the criminals' so-fisticated code
ps., wonder how much time and $ the state will spend before concluding that jamming prison cell phones is a bad idea?

Two teens arrested for murders: "Marquel Gaffney, now 16, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the killing of Alfred Smith, who died Sept. 26, 2007" and Sami McCargo, 19, was arrested for killing 22-year-old Quinton Savage on April 11.

"The Obama administration is weighing plans to detain some terror suspects on U.S. soil -- indefinitely and without trial." So much for change you can believe in!

CSA: Voir dire strikes must be gender-neutral

Not crime but noteworthy: Baltimore's lead-rich soil may make your backyard vegetable garden not so healthy

Double Shooting

.. at the Edmondson Village shopping center.


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A gunshot victim at Eager & Somerset, above.

In better news, new police efforts to catch the a-holes who break into cars!

Federal Witness Murder Trial Starts

Trial is set to begin today down at the federal courthouse for James Dinkins, Melvin Gilbert and Darron Goods, "Special" gang members accused of killing murder witness John P. Dowery Jr. in Thanksgiving of 2006. Julie Bykowicz and Matthew Dolan covered this story way back then. Gilbert and Goods face the big D if convicted.

A couple convicted of charges that they paralyzed a man following a fight over a cleaning cart.

The State's Attorney's office reports that yesterday, after a jury was seated and his murder trial was moments away from starting, Anthony Thompson, 50, pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, all but 15 years suspended, and five years probation. Sunpapers has the horrible details.

Fenton: educators tried to push gang leader's book of teachings on Mayor Dixon

DNA evidence links a man in MA to a 2003 home-invasion robbery and murder in Brooklyn.

Correction: the Hopkins Hospital identity-theft story from yesterday was actually not related to the other Hopkins Hospital identity theft story but is a completely new case!
Also, in the 60s, Hopkins tried to change a guy into a girl.

Exhibit A's Mike Silvestri: "Police officers’ failure to go to court in Baltimore last year allowed thousands of suspects, including nearly 200 charged with felonies, to walk free, according to state’s attorney’s office data."

Detroit Leaning = No Reason

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The Ink puts names to last week's murder numbers, including Anthony Griffin, 23, shot to death by a man he was walking with on Montebello Terrace (above) in Beverly Hills.

Legal opinion: the "Detroit Lean" is not cause for traffic stop

Leash-law outrage leads to lower fines, potential naked dog time at local parks and butt-scootingly wretched canine puns from local news media. What I want to know: whose idea were the higher fines in the first place?

Media blabber:
Bankruptcy judge says broke-azz Trib can pay managers bonuses, but not severance pay for employees laid off in December.

Midtown Attacks

Last Saturday night was a bad time to be in the general vicinity of the Belvedere hotel-- Hermann reports two apparently random attacks on passers-by at around 11:30.

Clay

Baltimore Inspector General Hilton Green has issued a report urging federal prosecutors to open the case of Baltimore businessman Robert Clay.

20 Years for Kiddie Heroin Dealer

Says the SAO:

Judge John N. Prevas sentenced Bland R. Gatewood, 33, of the 5900 block of Johnnycake Road to 20 years in prison today.

A Baltimore jury on April 1, 2009 convicted Gatewood of possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin within 1,000 feet of a school.

On December 3, 2008 in the 2000 block of Linden Avenue police officers observed Gatewood standing across the street from PS 61, the John Eager Howard Elementary School. Police observed Gatewood engaging in a hand to hand transaction utilizing a ground stash and placed him under arrest. Police recovered 20 gel caps of heroin.

As you might suspect, this wasn't Gatewood's first brush with the law, he's been charged with armed robbery, carjacking, assault, burglary, etc etc etc.

... Chief Judge Prevas is by far the most beloved Circuit Court judge in Baltimore City, with more than twice the votes of the runner-up, the Honorable Gale E. Rasin.

Feds turn tables on cell-phone smugglers by smuggling in a dirty phone of their own. Meanwhile, the gov wants permission from the FCC to try to figure out how to jam prison cell-phone signals.

Jacques Kelly Sentenced to Crime Reporting

Formerly promising Sirlilar Stokes got 50 years for two gang-related shootings, reports Jacques Kelly (?!?!?)


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Blotter: "Police released the name Monday of the man fatally shot Friday morning in the 3000 block of Elgin Ave. as Deontae Carter, 24, of the 2300 block of N. Rosedale St."

Police tweet, "Miguel Rivera M/B/DOB-10/19/76 was arrested on 5/11/09 for the Att. Murder which occurred on 5/3/09 @ 3608 Roberts Place" also "SHOOTING: 700 E PRESTON, 2 ADULT MALES SHzOT."

A city sheriff's deputy has filed a million-dollar false-arrest suit against a city police sergeant

CP Guerrilla Family Portraits, part IV, Eric Marcell Brown. Fenton reports Brown's Black book endorsed by educators and former Mayoral candidate Audrey Bundley. Only in Baltimore!

Remember Michelle Johnson, the Hopkins Hospital employee who allegedly stole a kidney-transplant patient's ID to buy herself flooring, a tv and some underpants? Now someone else has accessed data of more than 10,000 patients, and scammed 30 victims with links to the hospital.

Schadenfreuderiffic: Teens injured when stolen car crashes

Media Blabber: if Tweets are to be believed, Post and NYT in talks with Google

Totally gratuitous: Balto. stripper claims Phelps "boasted of dope shame as he medalled with my bongs" (NSFW!)

Police robbing, road-raging and profiling; Plus, other heartening crime news

A former Baltimore City police cadet convicted as being the getaway driver in the armed robbery of a Parkville McDonald’s in October was sentenced to five years in prison Monday.

A Baltimore City policeman who is no stranger to controversy was arrested Friday and charged with assault and reckless endangerment in connection with a road rage incident in Harford County, Maryland State Police said Monday.

In the five years since Maryland State Police agreed to change procedures and policies to settle accusations of racial profiling of motorists, about 100 drivers lodged complaints of racial profiling.

A Baltimore County man pleaded guilty Monday to crashing a stolen pickup truck into a Hereford house, killing a 46-year-old woman.

A former Glenelg High School teacher will continue to serve his five-year sentence for sexually abusing a student, following an opinion released Monday by the state’s second-highest court rejecting the teacher’s appeal of his conviction.

A Baltimore inmate and former prison guard have pleaded guilty to extorting money from inmates and their families.

A 37-year-old maintenance man at a Pikesville apartment complex who was shot in the head during an argument three weeks ago died Saturday at Sinai Hospital from his injuries, Baltimore County police said Monday.

Hopkins Security: Get a Stunt Wallet

From the security bulletin:

ARMED ROBBERY

3900 Block Tudor Arms Avenue

May 9, 2009 - 11:15 PM

On May 9th at 11:15 PM, two graduate students walking southbound observed two unknown males in front of them when a third unknown male stepped out from behind the students, pointed a handgun and demanded property. One student relinquished her purse; the other student handed over unknown amount of money.  The suspects were last seen running north toward West University Parkway.  No injuries.  Baltimore Police and Campus Officers searched the area with negative results.  A Campus Officer recovered the victim’s purse in a grassy area less her cell phone and wallet.  Investigation continuing.

When confronted with an armed robber the best thing to do safety-wise is to relinquish any property demanded. Consider carrying a second, disposable wallet with a small amount of cash which can be relinquished to a robber without great loss to you.

... also, perhaps suburbanites should consider renting a smaller, cheaper apartment downtown and appointing it with cheap appliances!

Beers, babies, brawls and brains

Parents are fighting mad at Chuck E. Bleeds.

Word of advice to school police officers: if your car gets dinged, keep your mouth shut

Warning to FB fans, taking an IQ test may prove costly

"This shit ain't right, yo"

What happened to Anna Ditkoff at Central Booking.
Six years later, bright new idea: "Priority Warrents"

No-knock raid on the wrong house leaves chemist doorless (and with a bulk trash ticket)

Guerrilla profiles, part II: "Uncle Rudy"

There's a "suspicious package" at the Towson District Court

Media blabber: A one-day byline strike at the Sun to protest layoffs (why not strike for real?)

Detectives Suspended

Reports Luke Broadwater, "Baltimore police have suspended two detectives after they allegedly dropped off a city juvenile in Howard County, leaving him stranded Monday night."

Gathering Threats

Insane! Murder defendant threatens a witness -- in front of the jury! Update: unshockingly, Lance was found guilty.

The Ink has last week's four homicides

Justin Fenton reports that Sherman Anderson, 32, accused in the murder of Qonta Waddell, has been arrested 37 times, "never serving significant jail time."

IV: a member of MS-13 credibly threatened the life of a Southeast district officer

Court docs: Youth mentor also a Black Guerrilla Family leader

Officer Tommy Saunders wants his trial moved out of the city

Another Reason to Hate Bank of America

They've always charged the worst fees in the biz and had a rep for stiffing employees, and now the world knows it's the suckiest bank currently sucking.
Now the amoral avatar known as "the bank" "says" it fingered the wrong perp by circulating pix of Hot Topic girl, whose pic was circulated after she was accused of grifting a senior citizen.
Deleting posts now!
Sorry Hot Topic girl!
Note to self: you can't overuse the word "allegedly"

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A 48-year-old man was found shot in a Waverly back yard.

Local hero

WMAR's Pete O'Neal is Baltimore's only overnight videographer, and the only one who works weekends.
Here's his coverage of last night's shooting of a 15-year-old who tried to rob an officer (on the right).

Byers spared!

Story here from Justin Fenton.
Of the TV stations, WJZ has the best coverage of this story, with interviews of Lackl's mom, Rod Rosenstein, and Byers' relatives.
WBAL's John Sherman reports Byers will be shipped to Terre Haute. No other source reports this, though Rod Rosenstein says "before we finish lunch today, Mr. Byers will be gone from Maryland."

Tooth-grinder of the day: Byers "was a loving father, just like Carl Lackl."
Comments from Hermann

Sun archive page of the Byers trial.

Judge: Underpaid Lawyer is No Excuse

"Maryland pays private defense lawyers assigned to capital cases far too little, but that’s no reason to prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty, an Anne Arundel County judge has ruled" in the case of one of the men accused of murdering correctional officer David W. McGuinn.

Terry Love's lawyer plans to sue prosecutors for defamation

CP: Live Entertainment Bill Gutted

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Last night's shooting on Milton Ave. proved fatal, the victim was named as William Jones, 26; Sunday morning, a 25-year-old man was shot in the 3300 block of Frederick Ave.

Tweet

Around 8:15-- "SHOOTING: Reported @ 4050 Elmora Ave-Police investigating crime scene, avoid area."

Two women robbed a man and hammered him in the face on Gough St last Thursday

Hermann opines that the Harbor Teen Riot of Saturday before last should have been Twittered.

Tweet, tweet

Tweet, tweet

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SHOOTING: Reported @ 823 N.Milton Ave-Adult male shot multiple times. Police investigating [above]

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STABBING: reported at 1am @ 4700 NAVARRO, 2 juveniles stabbed, suspect arrested by BPD.

Bloodbaths, Real and Imagined

@ 3 p.m. Police tweet "SHOOTING: Reported @ S. MONROE ST."

Jurors are due to begin death penalty deliberations in the Byers case today

CP: "Nathan "Bodie" Barksdale and Kenny Jackson tell their versions of Baltimore's street life in The Baltimore Chronicles: Legends of the Unwired"

Governing Magazine has a not-very-flattering piece on Baltimore's police cameras (from the BPD's own Facebook page, oddly enough)

IV covers HarfCo's homicide, which the victim claims was in self-defense

A knee-slappin* tale from the DOJ of a 40-chugging felon who got 15 years
*(only funny because no one was hurt!)

Yeow! Why do these pedophiles collect so many images?

Media blabber: more about the Sun "bloodbath" at The Real Muck and The Baltimore Brew

Gun Nut Busted

On Facebook, the BPD reports a major gun seizure:

On April 30, Southest District Drug Unit & BPD SWAT executed a search warrant at 711 Oldham Street.

The following property was recovered:

Norinco SKS (w/ 10 rounds in clip)
Norinco SKS (w/10 rounds in clip)
Norinco AK-47 (w/30 rounds in clip)
Enfield bolt action 303 cal.

Also about 1000 rounds of ammo for the weapons. Suspect arrested was Augustine Tambuvello W/M/9-7-48, he has prior convictions of felony narcotics.

Notes Sebastian Sassi: "Two things: a Norinco is an AK knockoff, it's not a true AK47 which is select fire by definition (ie, semi auto and full auto).

Also, those rifles also have magazines, not clips. Clips are devices that band rounds together leaving them exposed at the dangerous end, whereas magazines (much like the magazines in your duty Glock 22 .40SW sidearm) fully encase the rounds."

Supreme Court Newsflash

Souter is stepping down, just as we were dabbling in Sparklit, begging the question: who is the ... Best! Judge! Ever! (see the sidebar for the poll)

Super fun poll

We all have to go sometime...

Which would you rather? Run over by truck Executed by state Smoking-related illness Stabbed by lover Suicide in course of Jihad heroin OD mauled by dogs First bosses, then self Familicide Current Results

Buz on Drugz

Buz left a brilliant comment a while back that deserves a bump. Buz has changed our minds on decriminalization, at least when it comes to the white drugs. We still think they should sell pot out of washtubs at the farmer's market. Anyway:

"...if drugs were somehow "decriminalized", these groups, would not stop declaring territory, and not stop doing illegal things, including black market selling of the now decriminalized drugs? Why should they stop? Oh, I suppose, depending on how one decriminalizes, the legal market would cut into their sales; Buz remains skeptical. A large factor in gang belonging is protection from the "other"-whoever that is.

I read some about Switzerland's heroin treatment program, and some aspects of it have a certain charm. The Lancet article of 2006 was generally supportive, but it did note that heroin maintenance was long-term, and for those who engaged in the program and stopped, virtually all re-entered the program within 10 years. It did, however, have the effect of heroin being now viewed as a drug for "losers" and "junkies". Who woulda thunk? Oh, and only 1300 of Switzerland's 30K heroin addicts are in the heroin prescription program.

Clearly, young folks like yourself and Abstract and Cham are trying to come to terms with this issue for the future. I did not notice in my short look any reference to other criminal activity or other measures of social health. One article lauded a guy who gets his heroin, goes to work, and plays dad on weekends. I guess that's possible; in fact, I've heard of "working addicts", but have yet to meet an actual one. In my experience as a vocational caseworker, the general rule of thumb is that persons currently using hard drugs will have extreme difficulty getting jobs, and if they do manage to get hired, will rarely keep the job for long ... Of course we know that addiction has been declared a disease by folks more highly educated than I could ever hope to be. And I can understand that it is difficult to stop using some drugs, but you know, they gotta want to. After my law enforcement career, I have worked at 2 non-profits, both seeing a high incidence of drug users of all kinds.

At the one I still work at part-time, 70% are court-ordered. So, I have talked to many addicts, and DWI offenders face-to-face and try to help them find employment. And, I must say: the ones that have been to DOC are much more motivated than those who have learned to game the system. I know it's anecdotal, but there it is: if you want to succeed in treatment, you often can. And, sometimes punishment or the threat of punishment is a motivator.

It seems difficult to follow your logic, at times. While you say that drug use is not an excuse for other crimes (besides possession), you seem to believe/feel that they should "get treatment", and not jail. Well, suppose they refuse to follow through with treatment? And they continue to commit crimes against the rest of us, larceny-from-auto; burglary; shoplifting, etc.? As P points out, the success rate of treatment is highly problematic in many programs; relapse rates for heroin are often 95%.
In my several year experience being around drug programs, two phrases often are heard: "he/she is not ready" or "persons who are SERIOUS can turn their lives around". These phrases are used both in conjunction with treatment and gaining employment. If you're not serious, it ain't gonna work.

So, if they say they are not responsible for committing crimes against the rest of us, yet they don't/can't stop, should we just throw out the laws for them? While I appreciate your compassion, and am not lacking it myself (believe or not), my lack of bleeding-hearted liberalism is tempered by hard-headed compassion of experience.

One experienced therapist, a Vietnam veteran, who works in a treatment program told us: "ain't no addict around here who doesn't know where they need to go for detox." This same program has floor-to-ceiling mirrors in its common areas of the residential treatment facility. When I asked what's the deal with the mirrors, the answer was: "everywhere you look, there's a problem". Many of the folks I talk to who are current, recent, or struggling users are deeply troubled people. The drugs, and as you point out, the illegality of the drugs, just exacerbates their problems. For the most part, if they were just given the drugs, they would still have trouble finding and keeping employment, with relationships, and with keeping out of legal trouble. Treatment is not a pill like an antibiotic; it's a long-term psycho-social process of personal change.

Almost no residential program will allow their patients to use illicit drugs while there; detection usually results in immediate expulsion. And these programs are run by what some might call bleeding heart liberals, and ex-addicts.
Perhaps we should keep Guantanamo Bay open and use it for addicts who claim they can't stop, but also can't succeed in treatment; however, they can't stop/won't stop committing crimes against the rest of us?

And though some folks feel sorry for the addict who presents in court and says the theft was because of addiction, I wonder why don't we feel similarly sorry for the drunk drivers who kill people (usually innocent people), who often are repeat offenders, but can't seem to stop drinking-and driving.

And yes, I think the illegality of heroin and cocaine does deter a fair amount of people from going out and buying it, and trying it, particularly young people.

This problems is a serious one that folks such as yourselves will struggle with to make public policy about. But any wholesale "decriminalization" which may occur, must occur in the context of society agreeing to accept a huge increase of use, addiction, accidents, and other maladies. Perhaps that is better than jail, but life is full of tradeoffs."

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Melody Smith, age 54, dead by blunt force trauma/asphyxiation in the 500 block of Yale Avenue, Tuesday April 21

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Frank Swiston, 48, was beaten to death five days ago in the 2800 block of Erdman Avenue.

Porcine Republican delegate says getting a woman to sign over her Pasadena condo to him was "doing the Lord's work"

County police are ISO a Kevin Federline lookalike who stole a woman's purse at the White Marsh Giant and used her credit cards to go shopping.

Too Dumb to Die?

Patrick Byers' supposed low IQ could save him from the death penalty

IV reports on gang-related harbor melees. (Best gang name ever: the Dirty Slobs)

City code: you can own two sexy massage parlors for the price of one unleashed dog

Media Blabber: The Daily Record reports that the toll of this week's Sun layoffs is 61. "Spokeswoman Renee Mutchnik confirmed that the paper had informed the guild of layoffs .. and added that the cuts would help the newsroom operate in a way that allowed the company to better use the Internet." Huh?

Three Years for Solicitation of Murder

Patrick Byers could get the death penalty for the same crime, so this guy got a pretty good deal. Details:

At a hearing today, George Thompson, 38, of the 1400 block of Shefford Road pled guilty to solicitation to commit murder. Judge Martin P. Welch sentenced Thompson to 15 years in prison suspending all but three years and five years probation. He also ordered Thompson to stay away from the intended victim. The State asked for 20 years in prison suspend all but seven years.

Between June 4 and June 12, 2008 in the area of Belt Street Thompson contacted a witness while he was on a work site in Baltimore City. Thompson asked this witness to kill his wife, offering $20,000 and displaying a bag of cash. Thompson contacted this witness at least two times between the dates to discuss the murder. Thompson supplied money to purchase two prepaid cell phones for the witness and himself. On June 10, 2008 this witness contacted the police. Further investigation was conducted including a tape recording of Thompson making arrangements for the murder and giving specific details on where and when his wife would be home and how to commit the actual murder. An undercover officer was present for some of these meetings. On June 12, 2008 Thompson met with the witness and the undercover officer to complete the details for the murder and he was arrested at that time.

Four Years for Killer of Patrice Marable

.. does not seem like nearly enough.
The details from the SAO:

At a hearing yesterday Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Sampson Ashby, 28, of the 3000 block of Fendell Avenue to four years in prison. On February 27, 2009 Ashby pled guilty to one count of automobile manslaughter. The State had asked for a cap of eight years at the time Ashby pled guilty.

On July 6, 2008 at approximately 3:00PM Officers from the Northern District responded to 1123 Gleneagle Road for a reported vehicle fatality. Upon arrival officers discovered the body of Patrice Marable lying on the ground in the alley next to a telephone pole. Investigation revealed that the Marable and Ashby had been engaged in an altercation with Ashby attempting to strike Marable with a tree limb. He then pushed Marable down, causing her to drop her cell phone. Ashby took the cell phone and entered a pick-up truck. Marable proceeded to the driver’s side window and jumped partially through it in attempt to retrieve the phone. Ashby then backed up the truck at a high rate of speed out of the yard and turned the vehicle to his right heading for a telephone pole located in the alley. The victim was pinned between the vehicle and the pole, causing what was later to be determined a massive contusion. Ms. Marable fell lifeless to the ground. Ashby got out of the vehicle, saw Marable, recovered some broken auto parts from the scene, and fled in the vehicle.