Barricade situation this morning

A reader listening to county police radio at 2:30 this morning reported a barricade situation last night in Owings Mills:

Though he wasn't mentioned by name, they referred to him
as the  just demoted police major from Baltimore  city. It was a pretty extensive thing, a staging area was set up at a local school, negotiators brought in, requests for floor plans of the house he was in and calling some friend of his from Rodgers Forge  to come and try to talk to him ... The original call was for a "suicidal suspect" and the address was on Eiderdown Ct,, 21117.

Unconfirmed reports ID the barricaded officer as a former deputy major from the central district.
Says a source, "The standoff started around 1:30 a.m. and lasted until 11:30 a.m.; he had to be Tased and was taken to a hospital."

Hit-and-run truck found... but not the driver

Hopkins student killed

Miriam Frankl, a 20-year-old Hopkins student struck by a hit-and-run driver at University and St. Paul, has died. Police are looking for a white Ford F-250 pickup with Maryland tag number 94W412.

The killing of a killer...

A man was stabbed to death Wednesday in city lockup, as he was awaiting trial for the murder of Antron Betts.

In better news, two have been arrested and two more are being sought in the murder of a county man.

Those Canadians sure are crafty, because today a man got 45 years in prison after Canadian police recognized glasses and beer in a child porn video as being from America.

And finally a TTP bloods member accused of stabbing and shooting a witness pled guilty in federal court the other day. But he is not going to be sentenced until April 2010, wtf?

Leading & Bleeding

Does "the media" give residents an outsize impression of the city's crime issues?
The mayor (and the running festival's coordinator) think so.

Officer suspended for raising his voice at meeting complained that dogs in his K-9 unit were denied treatment to force his ouster.

Gunman at large

A gunman who shot two people Thursday day morning at the Penn North subway station is still at large, for now

This just in ...

"Maryland’s highest court on Wednesday decided the buttocks are an 'intimate area,' but reversed a sex-offense conviction for lack of evidence that the man who allegedly touched a child’s backside in the toy section of the Hagerstown Goodwill store did so for his own gratification."


... home burglaries & robberies in the Northern = brazen and shameless. Lock up and be prepared!

If your GPS is stolen

Re-key your house STAT! Fox reports car break-in thieves are finding houses to rob by looking up home addresses on the devices.
ps., better yet, don't leave your GPS device in the car in the first place.

If you've got a briefcase full of money...

Theft from Auto – 3400 Block N. Calvert St. – Union Memorial Hospital – On Oct 14th at 11:30 PM, a non affiliate’s vehicle was broken into through the passenger window, a brief case containing money was taken by person(s) unknown. Baltimore City police responded.

Also, you may want to consider moving if:

• 300 Blk. E. University Pkwy (north side) - On Oct. 13th between 6:15 PM, and 6:30 PM, a JHU graduate reported that an unknown person(s) entered his apartment via an open 3rd floor rear bedroom window and removed his laptop.  Baltimore Police responded.  Investigation continuing.


• 300 Blk. E. University Pkwy (north side) - Between Oct. 13th at 10:00 PM, and Oct. 14th at 1:00 AM, a JHU junior reported that an unknown person(s) entered his apartment via a 2nd floor rear bedroom window and removed his laptop.  Investigation revealed that entry had been gained by removing a window air conditioner.  Baltimore Police responded.   Investigation continuing.


• 300 Blk. E. University Parkway (south side) – On October 8th between 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM, currency was taken from an undergraduate’s 3rd floor bedroom.  Entry had been gained via an unlocked rear 3rd floor window.  Baltimore Police responded.  Investigation continuing.


• 300 Blk. E. University Parkway (north side) – On October 8th between 10:00 PM to 11:24 PM, a laptop computer and a MAC book were taken from two 2nd floor bedrooms.  Entry had been gained via a unsecured front window that leads to the roof of the front porch.  Baltimore Police responded.  Investigation continuing.

- From JHU security via SpotCrime

Judge says an inmate's suit against city correctional officer can go forward-- the suit claims guard Antonia Allison was a member of the Bloods who brought rival gang-member inmates onto the victim's tier and opened his cell door so other inmates could beat and stab him.

Juvenile services officials "peppered" with questions in Annapolis about the effectiveness of GPS monitoring

Shiz! Three members of the BPD have come down with the hamthrax! Tweets the dept., "2 of 3 officers affected hv been cleared by docs to return to work."

Mark Castillo Pleads Guilty

... while jury selection was still underway, Castillo pleaded guilty to murdering his three children, Anthony, Austin and Athena, and received three life sentences without parole.
Amy Castillo to JZ: "I've lost my husband and three children ... Jesus .. has given me the power to forgive."
Are we nuts, or does it sound like she's still in love with him?!
Update: more horrible details in the Sun story, and a PDF of the statement of facts, which you should not read.

Three shootings in three minutes!

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Three unrelated shootings in three minutes, including a fatal early this morning at the corner of Ruxton Avenue and Baker Street.

Jury duty?

According to the Baltimore Clerk of the Courts, the jury "list" needs fixing.

No Jail Time for Murder Mom

From the SAO's office (typos corrected):

Today Melanie Blevins, 23, of Westminster MD, pled guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter before Judge John P. Miller. Judge Miller sentenced Blevins to 10 years suspend all but time served (1 day), with 5 years supervised probation. Conditions of probation include Blevins performing a minimum of 25 hours of community service with Habitat for Humanity each month for 3 years totaling 900 hours. Judge Miller told Blevins she also must continue in therapy.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Blevins January 9, 2009 for first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. Blevins plead to the following facts of the case. On Saturday, October 4, 2008, Blevins went to Union Memorial Hospital for treatment of urinary pain. Following an examination, the treating physician reported to police that Blevins had just given birth hours before arriving to the emergency room for care.

Blevins claimed she delivered a stillborn following an undiagnosed pregnancy. The newborn was discovered in a dumpster inside a plastic trash bag behind 2640 St. Paul Street, St. Johns United Methodist Church. The medical examiner determined the child was born alive and took one breath. The medical examiner could not testify to a degree of medical certainty that the baby took more than one live breath.

More from Tricia Bishop
Quality article on neonaticide from The New York Times' Steven Pinker

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Unidentified man, white Chrysler, 3200 block of W. Lexington St.

Rodricks: "Why do they keep killing each other? Baltimore's most enduring question"

The Post has more on MD's Death Penalty limbo, and other states' methods

"Baltimore County Police are confirming the death of a man found inside his home in the 10200-block of Harrison Grant Drive"

Uptick in North Baltimore home burglaries/ robberies. (A detective told me that in the Northern they are up more than 20%)

2nd convict in the light rail rape & kidnapping case gets 40 years

We still haven't seen the last of lead-paint lawsuits

Labor dept. wins 11 unemployment-fraud lawsuits

On a LOLZ-ier note, how did "Doc" Cheatham get the idea that if Dixon's convicted, the governor "could appoint a white mayor" (or any mayor)? .. drum roll...
"... he heard an attorney on a radio program."

COMSTAT Crackdown

A veteran police officer is suspended for "raising" his voice at the PD's weekly COMSTAT meeting.

"A state panel has put new Maryland death penalty protocols submitted by Gov. Martin O'Malley on hold for further review."

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Alonzo Key, 26, shot on Saturday near the marathon route on 700 N Kenwood, has died

Mayor to journalist: article about crime along marathon route "unacceptable"

Last week around Hopkins Homewood campus...

From JHU security:

3 JUVENILES ARRESTED – Bike Theft / CCTV Observation – Wolman Bike Racks – On Oct. 10th at 9:37 PM, three juveniles seen at the west bike rack attempting to cut a bike lock with bolt-cutters fled as campus officers approached them.  The three were located and arrested by Baltimore Police.  A bicycle that one of the juveniles rode to the west bike rack was found to have been stolen from the east bike rack.  The bicycle was returned to its owner.  The bolt-cutters were recovered.
 
ARREST – Theft (Pickpocket) / Property Recovered – 3201 St. Paul St. -- On   Oct. 10th between 5:15 PM and 5:24 PM, a graduate student’s wallet was taken from his pocket.  Baltimore Police and an off-duty Baltimore Police officer working for Hopkins arrested a non-affiliated male who was found to be in possession of the stolen wallet.

Unarmed Robbery – 100 Blk. E. 27th St. -- On Oct. 9th at 4:05 PM, a non-affiliate standing outside her parked vehicle was pushed down from behind by an unknown person who then pulled her handbag from her shoulder.  The suspect fled in an unknown direction.  Baltimore Police searched the area with negative results.  Investigation continuing.

Burglary (Private Residence) – 3100 Blk. Guilford Ave. (east side) – Oct. 10th at 5:34 AM, a non-affiliated resident, awakened by a burglar, confronted and fought with him before the suspect broke free and fled out a third floor window.  Baltimore Police and campus officers searched the area with negative results.  Entry had been gained through an unsecured window.  No property taken.  Investigation continuing.

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Damon Jackson, 37, was shot and killed at 1927 Oakhill Avenue.

'the governor could appoint a white mayor'

With the mayor's first trial set to start November 9th, the NAACP wants to change state law to make sure the Governor doesn't have too much leeway appointing a successor if she is convicted.

One dead and two others injured

from two separate drive-by shootings. The victim was ID'd as Dion Jones.

Account-a-bility

Fed Judge Motz has entered a consent decree in the 25-year-long battle over Baltimore's ferkakta foster care system, continuing the court's oversight for at least another 18 months

1:33 pm: justin_fenton Tweets: "Police report shooting 700 N Kenwood Ave... That's like two blocks off the marathon route"

Accountant of pipe-supply company got 51 months in jail for stealing $1.1 million from his employers.

Maj. Roger Bergeron was stripped of his gun and badge, reportedly because of too much online social networking

Little place, big taste of hot lead in ya azz: Two men shot in the parking lot of the Checkers on Liberty Rd in Randallstown

Steven Blackwell aquitted

... of disorderly conduct charges.


Meanwhile people are up in arms over a city officer suspended earlier.

Juvenile Stabbed

.. at Hopkins Plaza in broad daylight

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Calvin Taylor, 39, 2600 block of Mathews St.

Man shot in the chest in Ramblewood

A second day of jury selection in the Castillo trial

Essex Sunday school teacher charged with child sex abuse

Guns, drugs & burglary in the blotter

Warren Brown now says former Raven Tony Fein was going to sue the police department over his arrest at the Inner Harbor

Gregory Tooson, who swore out a peace order against his girlfreind just days before she was killed, has been indicted for her murder

Open containers?

A list of "no charge" arrests shows it risky to drink a beer or loiter ar a bus stop in the city

Say what now?

Bananas! Toddler taken from home, abandoned in unlocked car in course of "family dispute." "No charges have been filed " and "Baltimore City Police are no longer treating this as an abduction."
Wha? Why not? Unless said family member had custody, wasn't it still an abduction? Endangerment, at the least, considering it got down to 40 degrees that night? (And was the guy who found the boy Ken Watts, or Ken Waztts?)

Last week's three murders in the Ink

City officer disciplined after violating dept's shut-yer-piehole-to-the-press policy

Pure class at Hopkins: student uses samurai incident on student government posters (from Twitter).

Towson lawyer disbarred for mi$appropriation

an arrest & indictment in the murder of convicted child molester Scott Greenburg

From farther afield:
... NASA scientist gets 5 years' probation for downloading child porn on gvt computer
... former Reagan White House lawyer sues to stop Navy Chaplain from praying for his death (from TDR's law blog).

Speed Cameras

From the Roland Park newsletter. The Sun also has a map, in case you're a visual learner:

Throughout October, warnings will be issued to those caught speeding on film. After that, $40 tickets will be issued.

1 — 33rd Street, EB @ The Alameda
2 — The Alameda SB @ 33rd Street
3 — Caton Avenue NB @ Benson Avenue
4 — Caton Avenue SB @ Benson Avenue
5 — Liberty Heights Avenue EB @ Hillsdale Road
6 — Liberty Heights Avenue WB @ Hillsdale Road
7 — Harford Road NB @ The Alameda
8 — Edmondson Avenue EB @ Cooks Lane
9 — Edmondson Avenue EB @ Woodridge Road
10 — Edmondson Avenue WB @ Woodridge Road
11 — Frederick Avenue EB @ Catherine Street
12 — Harford Road NB @ Christopher Avenue
13 — MLK Jr. Boulevard SB @ Pratt Street
14 — Franklin Street WB @ Pulaski
15 — Harford Road NB @ Rosalie Avenue
16 — Walther Avenue NB @ Glenmore Avenue
17 — Wilkens Avenue EB @ Desoto Road
18 — Cold Spring Lane WB @ Hillen Road
19 — Cold Spring Lane WB @ Loch Raven Boulevard
20 — Sinclair Lane WB @ Moravia Road
21 — Sinclair Lane EB @ Shannon Drive
22 — Sinclair Lane WB @ Shannon Drive
23 — Orleans Street EB @ Linwood Street
24 — Eastern Avenue EB @ Kane Street
25 — Hillen Road SB @ Argonne Drive
26 — Liberty Heights Avenue NB @ Dukeland Street
27 — North Avenue WB @ Howard Street
28 — Northern Parkway WB @ Springlake Way
29 — Northern Parkway WB @ Waverly Way
30 — Northern Parkway EB @ Greenspring Avenue
31 — Northern Parkway WB @ Greenspring Avenue
32 — Charles Street SB @ Lake Avenue
33 — Reisterstown Road SB @ Fallstaff Road
34 — Cold Spring Lane EB @ Tamarind Road
35 — Wilkens Avenue EB @ Pine Heights Avenue
36 — Erdman Avenue EB @ Macon Street
37 — Erdman Avenue WB @ Macon Street
38 — Madison Street WB @ Caroline Street
39 — Franklin Street WB @ Cathedral Street
40 — Orleans Street EB @ Gay Street
41 — Park Heights Avenue NB @ Violet Avenue
42 — Patapsco Avenue WB @ 4th Street
43 — Perring Parkway SB @ Belvedere Avenue
44 — Pulaski Highway EB @ Monument Street
45 — Northern Parkway WB @ Park Heights
46 — Park Heights Avenue NB @ Hayward Avenue
47 — Park Heights Avenue SB @ Hayward Avenue
48 — Cold Spring Lane EB @ Roland Avenue
49 — MLK Jr. Boulevard NB @ Washington
50 — Lombard Street WB @ Gay Street
51 — Harford Road SB @ Walther Avenue

?

Tony Fein, the former Raven arrested at the Harbor last August, was found dead in Seattle

Arrest me

The number of arrests city prosecutors are declining to charge or prosecute is on the rise, including the case of a 71-year old man whose ribs were broken when he was thrown to the ground by police

Cases TK

Fishy! Toddler abducted from home in middle of the night, found in car by neighbor.

Woman who says police "threw out" her rape report talks to WMAR.
IV has a sketch of the suspect, who is presumably still out there somewhere.

Prison cell-phone jamming bill moves ahead in the Senate

At SCOTUS, Doug Gansler on the right to counsel, free speech v. dog fights, religious education as a tax deduction, and soon, a whole lot of businessy stuff.
... and per the FTC, starting Dec. 1, bloggers must disclose payola.

Fascinating! Vaccine reduces cocaine dependence

Suspect found dead

Update: "Police said the man who confessed to killing his girlfriend and stuffing her body inside a North Baltimore manhole is dead."
WBAL reports that the victim, Elda Vazquez, was a mother of two who worked seven days a week at two jobs.

Also, serious wounding in the 500 block of East 27th Street.

Confessed killer who dumped his girlfriend's body down a storm drain was found unconscious and not breathing in his cell Monday evening.

Dark and lonely on a summer's night.Kill my landlord.Kill my landlord.

From the SAO's office:

A Baltimore City jury convicted Edward Palmer, 59, of the 600 block of N. Clinton St. of second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon on September 30, 2009. His wife, Catherine Palmer, 47, of the 600 block of N. Clinton Street, pled guilty October 2, 2009 to accessory after the fact.

Edward Palmer will be sentenced by Judge John N. Prevas November 18, 2009. Judge Prevas sentenced Catherine Palmer to three years in prison, suspended, and 18 months probation.

Edward Palmer and Catherine Palmer were tenants of James Thomas Daniels residing at Mr. Daniels’ home in the 600 block of Clinton Street. On or about April 11, 2008, Edward Palmer and Mr. Daniels became involved in an argument which escalated to a fatal fight. The next day, Edward and Catherine Palmer wrapped Mr. Daniels in linens, carpeting and bags, placed him into the back of a relative’s car, and drove toward Essex where they dumped the body, doused it in gasoline, set it on fire then drove away. Police discovered Daniel’s body burned beyond recognition in a vacant construction lot near the intersection of Davidson Road and Langley. The medical examiner ruled Mr. Daniels died of stab wounds and blunt-force trauma.

Denied!

Judge rejects Dixon's motion to dismiss perjury charges

Tragic: Sun business editor Tim Wheatley killed in car accident in Monkton

your daily skeeve

Allegation: busy-fingered rabbi groped congregants for 30+ years "because no one spoke up."

... meanwhile, one of SCOTUS' first rulings allows the release of documents related to charges against CT priests accused of abuse. They've also decided not to tackle LA's Death Penalty.

Page Croyder: yay for "the first significant criticism I have seen of Baltimore State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy by the Sun in a long, long time"

Six Shootings This Weekend

From BPD Twitter

SHOOTING, RAMSAY & FURROW, ADULT MALE SHOT IN LEG.9:02 AM Oct 4th from UberTwitter

Shooting-Old York/Cator Av-Adult male walked into Good Samaritan hospital. Detectives responding 10:12 PM Oct 3rd from UberTwitter

SHOOTING, 200 LOUDON, ADULT MALE SHOT. REPORTED @ 3AM.9:16 AM Oct 3rd from UberTwitter

SHOOTING, 1600 E MONUMENT, 17 Y/O SHOT IN LEG.1:25 AM Oct 3rd from UberTwitter

SHOOTING, 4900 LINDSAY, ADULT MALE SHOT IN BUTTOCKS, 2 SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY.1:24 AM Oct 3rd from UberTwitter

SHOOTING- W LAFAYETTE AVE/N PAYSON ST. 17 YEAR OLD MALE SHOT IN HEAD 7:36 PM Oct 2nd from txt

Man Confesses to Killing Woman Found in Storm Drain

TGI Friday's worker has confessed to dumping woman's body down a drain in North Baltimore.

A month before she went missing, the victim had sought help from the Howard County Domestic Violence Center and gotten a restraining order against the perp, who, she said, threatened to kill her.

The manhole cover was right in front of the perp's house. Still myserious: how did he get the manhole cover off, esp. without anyone noticing, in a residential area?

Violent, shady & gnarly

Thursday, a police officer was dragged by one Rickey Hughes, right, a suspect attempting to flee who is still at large. Forty-five minutes later, an officer fired on a drug suspect.

Hermann on the shady world of govt informants

and more of the gnarly corpse recovery in Govans

I shot an arrow into the air...

A Baltimore teen arrested for attempted murder for shooting a BB Gun at an MTA bus.

An arrest has been made in two city shootings.

More city shootings, as a man is found dead on Massachusetts Ave.
Update: Victim Identified as Antoine Rawlings age 28.

Finally, two members of the "Special" drug gang are given surprisingly short sentences in federal court for the shooting of James Wise.

6:34 p.m. Baltimore PoliceDept tweet SHOOTING- W LAFAYETTE AVE/N PAYSON ST. 17 YEAR OLD MALE SHOT IN HEAD

Update: Victim Identified as 17 yr. old Darius Anderson.

Ew the humanity

A "suspicious" body found head-down in a sewer in Govans
UPDATE: BPD says "Body found in manhole is a white female. OCME will provide additional info on COD following autopsy due to serious decomp."

A youth worker at a Baltimore County detention facility helped a 17-year-old sex offender escape, then had offensive sex with him before they were arrested.

"Boyfriend" Tyronne Webb charged in 2008 murder of Mia Nichols


Trial postponed for mulleted (accused) murderer Dennis Testo

In Catonsville, man survives after bringing a golf club to a hatchet fight

Media Blabber

At around 11 a.m., WBAL "Tweeted," from the AP, "Michael Vick Re-Signs With Nike: Michael Vick is back with Nike."
One of the savviest marketers in the world committing commercial hari-kari? Really?
Pretty fishy-- wouldn't you check that kind of thing out?
But nobody did-- the Sun, the Post and even our beloved Daily Record followed suit, dutifully reposting the story without a single phone call.
The Record's Liz Farmer even blamed Nike, "So what the heck took Nike so long to correct this error?"
We all know reporters are overworked and underpaid, but does the Record really believe that it's a corporation's job to spit the facts, and a paper's job to print them?

Way to go Michael McCarthy of USA Today, first to pick up the phone and call BS!

Whole bunch of crime in today's Blotter

Including an arrest in the homicide of Jamal White, as well as 8 laptops stolen in Towson alone.

So Much Dirty

"Southeast's top police officer is suspended," and nobody's saying why

Fancy watches, a money-counting machine, and Clomid?! Wacky stuff found in dirty cop Mark Lunsford's stash

The final brutality suit against officer Jerome K. Hill ended with a $1500 settlement, and Hill with a job in the records division. (how can you sodomize someone with a ripped-up $20 bill?)

Two trials for the mayor

More on the drug-overdose doctor

Names and details in this week's Ink

Ooh la la, c'est beaucoup de francs! New transaction terms save Constellation energy $1.2 billion in taxes.
(If you haven't fired BGE yet, here's a handy way to get bids from suppliers from TDR.)

A U of MD post-doc fellow is charged with drug possession after his girlfriend dies of a bupe overdose. Irony alerts: the two were researching addiction... and a bonus: BPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi reportedly once worked for drug dealers at Pfizer!

The BPD reports that Tyron Markit Mason (B/M/1979) was arrested for burning his grandmother after she refused to give him money.

Rap songs come to life in Baltimore

Someone shot up a strip club last night injuring two.

Meanwhile, In one of the many breaking and entering cases in the area a suspect stole two live hand grenades.

Homicide detectives speak out part II

Former Homicide Detective Irving Bradley tells the story of how he was ordered to write a false report

Ex-homicide detectives speak out

Two ex-homicide detectives talk about the problems inside the BPD

Crime odds and ends

Police investigate a boatload of nonfatal shootings this weekend.

Police ID woman found stabbed to death.

Police also ID the man found shot to death on 9/11.

And finally, local skinheads plead not guilty in the vicious beating of an elderly man.

P.S.- To all the Baltimore skinheads who read this blog, If you really feel the need to be a racist prick, might I suggest you chose a city where you're not going to be exceedingly outnumbered and despised. Might I suggest Alaska or Iowa where the ratio of really pissed off black guys to ignorant racist is a tad more on your side? --TAB

Police have released a sketch of man wanted for questioning in connection with a violent rape in the NW district.

"Officer Fires Gun At Suspect Who Rammed Him With Car."
Damn skippy!

Septuagenarian David Weeks found murdered in White Marsh

6 shootings, 1 stabbing

Police Tweets, the last 24 hours

SHOOTING-2841 BOARMAN AVE-ADULT MALE SHOT IN THE ARM.26 minutes ago from UberTwitter

SHOOTING ARREST: Kevon Wilson & Craig Tippet charged as adults w/ att. murder, robbery & other offenses in the attack on Det Aaron Harris.about 10 hours ago from web

UPDATE: False info reported to Police. Investigation reveals shooting @ 3553 Greenmount Av actually occurred @ 2500 W. Fayette St.about 10 hours ago from UberTwitter

SHOOTING - BELAIR/SEIDEL, ADULT MALE SHOT. (Reported at 420am)about 11 hours ago from UberTwitter

SHOOTING, 2500 W BALTIMORE, ADULT MALE SHOT. (Reported at 1am)about 11 hours ago from UberTwitter

SHOOTING, 3500 GREENMOUNT, ADULT MALE CLAIMS HE WAS SHOT BY UNK SUSPECT.about 17 hours ago from UberTwitter

STABBING, 1215 W NORTH, ADULT MALE STABBED,about 19 hours ago from UberTwitter

SHOOTING, 1800 DOVER, ADULT MALE SHOT IN CHEST, 2100 REQUESTED, POSSIBLE SUSPECT IN CUSTODYabout 20 hours ago from UberTwitter

Shooting-600 N.Luzerne-Adult male shot. Possibly a 2nd victim at 401 N.Lakewood shot in arm.about 23 hours ago from UberTwitter

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A woman found stabbed to death near Clifton Park

An off-duty officer is in intensive care after being shot during an attempted robbery.
UPDATE: two 16-year-olds, Kevon Wilson and Craig Tillett, were arrested & are being charged as adults

Three residential burglaries, an armed robbery and lots of car break-ins in the Northern

Hermann: lyin' cop Mark Lunsford got a $10k bonus that may have come from federal grant money

A judge's misstatement about penalties earns a gun-toting assailant a new trial

Update: Missing Monica Muth was found

Missing

14-year-old Monica Muth is missing, right, last seen at the Lutherville RoFo

Baltimore Cop Mark J. Lunsford charged by Feds with lying and theft of Government property, more details on DOJ site

The 4th circuit has overturned jury's $5 mil verdict against funeral-protesting Westboro Baptist church. Line of the day: "Even though Westboro has said God hates the ACLU, Deborah A. Jeon, legal director of the ACLU of Maryland, said the appellate holding was correct."

Geniosity

From the BPD:

Yesterday (Sept 23rd) at 430pm, Detectives from the Northeast Drug Unit responded to a call for discharging 2622 Evergreen Ave. During their investigation, they entered this location and recovered approx. 3 pounds of suspected marijuana and a sawed off Harrington and Richardson Arms shotgun.

arrested : Richard Rorke (M,W, 2/12/53)
Jeremy Rorke (M,W,12/18/80)
Jessica Stork (F,W,11/29/89)

Mind-blowing stats: "The 234 people killed last year had a combined 2,404 prior arrests - 162 related to guns and 898 related to drugs. That's an average of 10 arrests per suspect and 10.3 arrests per victim."

Media Blabber

"An amendment to the bipartisan Senate bill that would create a federal shield law for journalists will likely exclude many bloggers and internet journalists"

ps., watch Dixon get pissy with a Fox reporter!

...just a thought, before you start laying off cops maybe the city should cut back trips to luxury hotels.

Ex-cons want in

At a NAACP meeting on juvenile justice ex-offenders implored officials to include them in the battle against gangs and crime

I'll Flip You, Bitch!!

Police shoot man armed with spatula. Actually, it's sad, shouldn't be flippant about it.

Melody Simmons on the legalities of self-defense in MD

... nonfatal shootings are down, but murders aren't. What's up with that?

The Ink puts names to numbers

15 months for the guy selling guns from his Lex market Utz stand
(... the link is fixed)

"Feds Seek to Keep GOP Donor's Drug Cash"

Lawyer: Mayor can explain that unexplained $$

Court of Appeals to cuckold: 13 years is too long to wait to challenge paternity.

An Arrest in the Yellowwood Road shooting, as well a ton of other crimes in...

the blotter.

Brazen!

Did last Tuesday's swordification of an intruder in Charles Village put a damper on burglarizing?
Hellz naw!
At least three in the area since, from JHU security via Spotcrime:

Burglary (Private Residence) – 220 E. University Parkway (north side) – Sept. 18th at 1:00 PM, a non-affiliate responded to his residence only to discover the front door forced open. The resident notified Baltimore Police who responded, searched the location and found an unauthorized male inside. The suspect was arrested and charged with residential burglary. 

(Private Residence / non-affiliate) – 3200 Blk. N. Calvert St. – On Sept. 19th between 1:27 AM and 1:33 AM, a non-affiliated community member was awakened by a noise from a 2nd floor bedroom and on checking into it observed an unknown male run down the stairs and out the 1st floor rear kitchen door. A jewelry box containing jewelry was discovered missing.  Entry is believed to have been gained via the unlocked kitchen door.  Baltimore Police responded.

(Private Residence / grad student) – Unit Blk. W. 27th St. – On Sept. 21st at 5:00 AM, a graduate student’s [sic] was awakened by a noise coming from her bathroom.  Upon investigating she heard someone on the fire escape and then observed an unknown male running down the alley. Inventory of the apartment revealed a laptop computer, Netbook and wallet were missing. Entry had been gained via an unlocked bathroom window.  Baltimore Police responded. Investigation continuing.

More trouble for Acorn

Guv O'Malley authorizes the MD AG's office to investigate Acorn.

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unID'd man, 31, 2440 Maisel Court


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unID'd man, 613 Ashburton St.

Hermann has a recap of "the shootins," 12 incidents and 14 victims including the one on Yellowwood/ Yellowbrick on Friday.

Councilman Ken Harris

Former city councilman Ken Harris, who was gunned down a year ago, remembered

8 shootings

reported by Spotcrime so far today.

2 homicides

.. in the County

Your daily WTF?!

Spotcrime reports a shooting in the 4800 block of Yellowbrick Road

Baltimore PoliceDept SHOOTING-613 ASHBURTON ST-ADULT MALE SHOT. GRAVE CONDITION.

"Four people were arrested Thursday night after police found them sitting in a van with a loaded shotgun, a set of handcuffs, surgical gloves and masks.
'We believe we thwarted the commission of a heinous crime, but we're trying to figure out what that [crime] was,' city police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.'"

Five Dunbar football players-- and the mother of a student-- have been arrested for stabbing and beating a 14-year-old boy and his friends.

In Parkville, a girl stabbed in a streetcorner catfight

In Cecil Co, electrician finds "souvenir" human hand in yard

and ps., Dundalk's under wooder!

Acorn update

Fired Baltimore employees plan to file a criminal complaint today against the creators of the video that got them in hot water

You can beg better than that

Has anyone else been inspired recently to take up the martial arts? Any suggestions of quality places in town near the Northern get one's Bride on?

Jeez that's messed up

Stories like this make you want to dip your computer in Lysol or something.

“This case is a chilling reminder that people who chat on the internet often lie about who they are.” No truer words ever spoken, Mr. Rosenstein.

More brazen robberies in the Northern

The recent rash of thieving hasn't just been confined to the JHU area-- a prodigious list of robberies and burglaries in the Northern, including street robberies in the middle of the day.

"Fight over firing of public defender is far from over"

Police Tweet: "DRUG ARREST: NW Police Dog Woden sniffs out 1.5 lbs marijuana & $8,600 during car stop @ 2400 blk of W belvedere. Kevin Ennis arrested."

WTF?! County councilman's daughter, granddaughter, allegedly threatened, scratched and bit a police officer during a traffic stop

Speaking of brazen robberies: the last thing I'll ever post on ACORN

Almost punched my computer screen...

when I saw this story thinking the BPD changed their minds again with the Gerrod Finch case.

BPD: Ponts Had No Intent To Kill

Reports WBAL, but the Sun says a decision to press charges from the SAO could be "weeks away."
The Sunpapers also has new details that contradict the "noise in the basement" version of events, and an editorial in a thoroughly irritating, sanctimonious tone.
(Whoever wrote it, "they" likely will be scarred psychologically for years to come by the devastating knowledge of this Video American promotion)

Run on swords causes crush at Greenmount Ave. pawnshop

Drive carefully.....

According to the MVA, a whole bunch of Marylanders may be driving without insurance.

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Baltimore PoliceDept SHOOTING-3400 BLK CLIFTMONT AVE-ADULT MALE SHOT. CRITICAL CONDITION
UPDATE: VICTIM DECEASED

Ponts v. Rice

The recap, in case you missed it.
So, Hopkins students "Ponts" and "Woody" hear a noise in the basement in the middle of the night. But instead of calling 911, like Richard Nolan would have done, they go out searching, Ponts with a bone-shearingly sharp sword and no idea who is out there and if they're armed or not (what if they'd had a mace?). The roommates claim the intruder was hiding inside of the garage, then lunged. Somehow, though, they got outside to the patio to do his screaming and bleeding.
Weather or not Ponts will be charged with a crime remains to be seen, and inquiring rubberneckers are dying to see a photo of this kid.

Some white coller odds and ends

Baltimore Rabbi indicted for stealing checks from school.

Meanwhile...
What do you get If you spend 45 years being a fraudster? apparently not much.

Finally:
Maryland feds take down a internet gambling/money laundering operation after a yearlong investigation.

BaltimorePolice POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING, 2805 ORLEANS ST, ADULT MALE STABBED PO IN BACK,2ND PO SHOT SUSPECT

update: the suspect has died, the officer was unhurt.

Inquiring minds...

Update: "department sources identified the detained student as John Pontolillo, 20, of Wall, N.J."

Pontolillo is a junior, prior to Hopkins he attended the Ranney $chool in Tinton Falls, six years behind the "Marie Antoinette" actress Kirsten Dunst.

Rice has a seedier background: police say he pulled a loaded .22 on an officer in 2007.
But his sister claims her brother was "too fat" to pose a threat.

Srsly? Kevin Clarke's lawsuit lives on!

Appopos of nothing

NY bike thief beatdown

FL busts Craigslist hookers in "Operation Hot Date"

Dayum!

"Police: JHU Student Killed Intruder With Samurai Sword"
Former roomie Diego tells WBAL, "it was, like, a wakizashi ... it, like, fit nicely with the rest of the room."

Update @1:30: "The intruder is identified as Donald Dwayne Rice of Baltimore City."

... but hode up. did the incident happen in the garage, as students say... or, as WBAL writes, on the patio?

They know when you've been sleeping...

Three break-ins in Charles Village, including two while residents were sleeping, from JHU security via Spotcrime. Lock those doors & windows!:

Burglary (Private Residence) – 200 Blk. E. University Parkway – On Sept. 13th between 12:00 AM and 1:30 AM, an undergraduate’s laptop computer, iPod and iPod base station were taken from his 3rd floor bedroom.  Preliminary investigation revealed that entry had been gained via an unlocked 1st floor rear window.  Baltimore Police responded.  Investigation continuing.

Attempt Burglary (Private Apartment Building) – Hopkins House, 110 W. University Parkway -- On Sept. 11th at 11:30 PM, an unknown person shined a light through the 2nd floor bedroom patio window and pushed the unlocked sliding door open. The resident startled the suspect who then fled in an unknown direction.  Nothing was taken.  Outside, trash cans were available to the suspect to reach the balcony.  Baltimore Police responded. Investigation continuing.

Burglary (Private Apartment) – 2900 Blk. N. Calvert St. (odd side) – On Sept. 13th between 3:30 PM and 10:30 PM, a non-affiliate’s laptop computer was taken from a 2nd floor bedroom.  Entry had been gained via an unlocked rear 2nd floor door leading to the fire escape.  Baltimore Police responded. Investigation continuing.

Police-involved

shooing of robbery suspect on White Ave

Suspicious

Baltimore PoliceDept SUSPICIOUS DEATH - 500 E PRATT ST, ADULT FEMALE FOUND DEAD.
update: fenton tweets it may be suicide

Again?

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At around midnight police Tweeted another shooting Presstman, an adult male in the 500 block. What is going on?
.. update: the shooting = fatal

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and a man shot to death while standing at W. Cold Spring and Reisterstown Rds. on Sunday afternoon.

Bupe and crime

Supporters say buprenorphine, a treatment for heroin addiction, has helped lower the homicide rate.

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Two fatal shootings today
: Israeli Mason, 18, on McCulloh St. at 1:42 a.m., and André Williams in the 100 block of West Cross St.

Michael Chase shot in 1988, is added to the toll, along with two killings "previously undisclosed" by police

"Medical Marijuana Finds a Mellow Audience in Md."

Boo frickin hoo

Alleged mortgage-buyback fraudster Michael K. Lewis left people homeless, but his sentence is 78 months in the federal big house (serving time in a Dubyaville down by the river is apparently not an option.) Sobbed Lewis, "I was focused on teaching people how to bring in more money." More details from the DOJ.

Surprise Guilty Plea for Murder of Deron Hope, 16

An exceptionally verbose and compelling PR from the SAO:

Baltimore, MD – September 11, 2009 – The murder trial of William Key, AKA Anthony Banks, 21, of the 300 block of E. Lafayette Avenue ended in a hung jury Thursday following 3 days of deliberations and a 5 day trial. Then suddenly, mid-afternoon yesterday, Key pled guilty before the Honorable Timothy J. Doory. After the jury’s inability to reach a unanimous decision by one vote, based on what jurors reported was a public defender seated on the jury and the lone holdout juror, Key entered a guilty plea to the second degree murder of Deron Hope and use of a handgun in a crime of violence. Judge Doory sentenced Key to 40 years in prison, 30 years for the second degree murder to be served consecutive to a 10 year sentence for the use of a handgun in a crime of violence. Prosecutor Terry Shaffer read a poignant note of remembrance written by Hope’s mother as part of her victim impact statement, as she sobbed quietly on a courtroom bench, unable to speak in court.

A co-defendant, Kenneth Robbins, pled guilty May 13, 2009 to second-degree murder and is pending sentencing scheduled November 23, 2009 before the Honorable Martin Welch, Room 228 Courthouse East. During court proceedings in May, Key was held in contempt for assaulting Robbins while they sat side by side awaiting the court proceedings.

Through evidence and witnesses, the State showed that Key was a member of the Black Guerilla [sic] Family (BGF) gang and that he had been trying to recruit Kenny Robbins into the gang. Kenny was reluctant because he knew he would have to take a “beat down”, subjecting himself to a brutal gang beating, so Key told Kenny there were other ways to achieve status in the BGF gang, including murder. Deron Hope was not known to either defendant, and his murder was a random act of violence. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Keys and Robbins on November 28, 2007 for first-degree murder and handgun counts.

Facts and evidence presented during opening statements, during the trial and subsequent plea, showed that at the time of the murder on October 13, 2007, Deron Hope was a rising football star who was being recruited by Mount St. Joseph’s High School. He did not know the defendants, and was shot at point blank range as part of a Black Guerrilla Family gang recruitment initiation for a new gang member, while spending the day with friends. At the time of the murder defendant Key was under a court commitment order to the Department of Juvenile Services and living with his grandmother in the Latrobe community.

On October 13, 2007, Deron spent the day hanging out with two girls in the 1700 block of Latrobe Street. Deron Hope, aka BJ, was a junior student with outstanding football talent, a tight end and running back, with offers from Mount St. Joseph High School. Around midnight, when sitting on steps outside with friends, 2 friends got up to go into the house to get shoes and money, when shots were fired. They ran back to look out the door and saw William Key and Kenneth Robbins, a co-defendant, running up Latrobe Street. Key appeared to be tucking something into his pocket. During testimony they recalled that earlier that evening they noticed the two at another house in the 1700 block of Latrobe Street and that at some point they left and eventually returned.

William Key lived with his grandmother at 326 E. Lafayette, about 300 feet from where the body of Deron Hope was found. A neighbor of Key testified that as he was getting ready for bed around midnight and heard someone jumping over his fence. The next morning, before leaving for work, the neighbor found two guns in the back yard. The neighbor placed the guns in a box, took them into the house, and called the police.

The two guns recovered were a .38 caliber revolver, and a .38 caliber bullet was recovered from below the victim’s right eye. A revolver does not eject a casing. There were 4 live bullets in the .38 and one spent casing. Key’s DNA was found on the handle of the gun. The DNA from the trigger was not conclusive, but was consistent with Key’s DNA. The second gun was a .22 caliber semi automatic that ejects a cartridge. A .22 caliber casing was recovered from the scene with the same characteristics as the gun found in the neighbor’s yard and the second bullet recovered from the victim’s skull was consistent with this gun.

Deron was shot twice, once by each gun. He was shot in the head at point blank range, in the face and through his earlobe. The State was able to confirm this through the testimony of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and co-defendant Kenny Robbins. Robbins lived with his Aunt at in the 200 block of E. Lafayette. He had watched the police recover the guns and knew it was just a matter of time [ED: how does the SAO know what he knew?] before he was implicated. When police came he was mirandized, waived his rights and told police what had happened.

Assistant State’s Attorney Theresa Shaffer of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

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Four more homicides added to the Sun map:
Trenton Marshall, 20, 2300 E Northern Parkway, shot to death while on "a red bicycle near a bus stop on Northern Parkway" "without warning"

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Shelton Elliott, 43, 500 N Carey St. Sept. 9, shooting

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Michael Chase, 47, 601 E Fayette St. (!! at/in/near the police station? is that right?) Sept 9, shooting

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Charles Mack, 47, 2700 Ashland Ave, Sept. 8, blunt force trauma

Jessamy on ACORN

Press release sent out about an hour ago:

Baltimore, MD – September 11, 2009 – We have received inquiries from citizens and the media asking whether the Baltimore City State’s Attorneys Office would initiate a criminal investigation for acts allegedly committed at ACORN offices located in Baltimore. The only information received in reference to this alleged criminal behavior was a YouTube video. Upon review by this office, the video appears to be incomplete. In addition, the audio portion could possibly have been obtained in violation of Maryland Law, Annotated Code of Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article §10-402, which requires two party consent.

If it is determined that the audio portion now being heard on YouTube was illegally obtained, it is also illegal under Maryland Law to willfully use or willfully disclose the content of said audio. The penalty for the unlawful interception, disclosure or use of it is a felony punishable up to 5 years.

In case you're one of the five people who hasn't heard about this story, link to CNN coverage here. Latest twist, there's a second tape from the DC office, with some intriguing insights on how to set up a legal "lady of the night marketeer" consultancy.
It's kind of sweet, how helpful everyone is!

Correction: TDR says feds are not seeking the death penalty for Brian Rose.

This just in: Baltimore's courthouses= dangerous heck-holes

FHBIII sensibly nixes the Honey-Hole cam