July 25

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

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

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

I see Dan Rodericks and I have outrage in common.

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

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

July 24

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

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

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

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

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

July 22

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

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

July 21

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

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

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

July 20

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

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

Bloody gloves were introduced in the Espinoza case.

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

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

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

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

July 19

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

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

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

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

July 18

Trial continues for Espinoza and Canela. There was a lot of no recuerdo at trial today. And a co-worker from the construction company where Policarpio worked testified.

A stolen 2002 Toyota Camry became a weapon of mass destruction, killing a mom and seriously injuring her daughter and husband.

And speaking of horrible driving, the manslaughter trial of Ryan Jason Conaway Lamana, 27, of Lutherville is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Joseph P. McCurdy, at the Courthouse East. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Lamana March 15, 2005 for automobile manslaughter in connection with the death of Chardan Lorenzo Johnson, 18. The indictment also charges Lamana with driving under the influence of alcohol. The indictment stems from an automobile accident on October 26, 2003 in the 4200 Block of Frederick Avenue in which Lamana's automobile struck Johnson's.

Christopher R. Peters of Hampden has been revealed as the graffitioso behind the tag APES. (See the 28th street bridge from 83). He faces two years of tagging small, hard surfaces with a modified safety razor.
The link is fixed, thnx dude. It looks like they expanded on the story and republished it. Good for them

There's a roving rapist in Severna Park.

Ew, a body was found behind the Essex Wal-Mart.

July 16

Four young men were shot on Thursday, three were seriously wounded and one, Eugene Carr, age 23, was killed.

There's an easy-to-support proposition: Joe Curran wants the state of Maryland to monitor all of its 4,343 violent sexual offenders for life. But Joe is not backing his son-in-law on the city's request to join a suit against the state officials who run central booking.

Olympic medalist and Escalade-driving felon Michael Phelps is "Older, Wiser."

And from Editor & Publisher: alternative crime reporting is the new happening thing for small publications (Ditkoff of the CP is interviewed).

A boring essay in the Sun about statistics-- who wrote that yawnfest?

July 15

The jury is out in the Mexican immigrant-child-murder-Espinoza case.

It seems like as the weather heats up, so do the thefts and shootings.

Former Southern District officer and father of two Gerald Goode got a five-year suspended jail term for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

July 12

More on the Espinoza murder trial (which the Sun is calling the "Falstaff killings" for the name of the apartment complex). The children's mother testified yesterday.

A horrible tale of a toddler killed in foster care while his mother was in the witness protection program.

A suspicious character walked onto the BWI airfield.

Anne Arundel police are looking for a man (left) who's been going around robbing convenience stores.

July 9

There is a motive in the Espinoza case: alien-smuggling snakeheads sending a message across the border. (*shudder*)

A murder arrest, a purse snatch and an armed robbery in the Blotter.

The cop who shot two would-be robbers has been identified as Antwan Boykin.

July 8

You have your stabbing weeks and your shooting weeks, but last week was more like a blunt-force trauma week in the city.

And so much for the city's "safe zone:" police recovered 17 shell casings from a murder scene in front of a church near Pulaski and Walbrook in broad daylight.

A Iranian, Abbas Tavakolian, got 57 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release after pleading guilty in the federal court in Baltimore to charges he attempted to export aircraft parts and components for F-4 and F-14 fighter aircraft, and that he laundered money.

There's evidence but no motive in the Espinoza case, say prosecutors.

Ex- employee Bruce Alvin Miller of Mt. Airy went postal in the BGE office in Hanover, then killed himself.

There were two shooting deaths in PG County. Shia Yu Hwang and Paul Hill are the 84th and 85th murders in PG County this year.

And in Frederick, 18-year-old Terry Bruchey is charged with shooting a four-year-old with a BB gun.

July 7

A girl who claims to have been raped by convicted murderer Charles Carroll is suing the Community Initiatives Academy and its principal Christina Phillips Holtsclaw.

John Joseph Zappola pled (or "plead" as ABC would say) guilty today to one count of sexual abuse of a minor. He'll get a suspended 10-year sentence and then be on probation for five.

The trial of Tavon Wilson, 20, of the 3600 block of Bowers Avenue, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Allen L. Schwait, 400 Mitchell Courthouse. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Wilson March 17, 2004 for first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of his girlfriend's 13-month-old daughter. Court documents allege that on February 24, 2004, Tavon Wilson murdered Dajah Mckoy at the mother's apartment in the 3600 block Bowers Avenue.

At a hearing today, attorney for perverted practicioner Keith Jennings argued that Jennings should remain free on $250,000 bond while his case is appealed. The State argued that Judge Alpert clearly ordered that Jennings was to begin serving his prison sentence July 8 and should begin that term tomorrow. Judge John Glynn ruled that Jennings' turn-in date be moved to Tuesday, July 12. At that time, Judge Alpert can rule on the appellate bond motion filed by the defense.

In the Metro section: one-year-old Erika Alexander was reunited with her mom, a guy was stabbed in Abingdton, the homeless guy who stabbed the other homeless guy is being held without bail and a man-on-man rape at the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Annapolis.

A jury was chosen in (what I call) the Espinoza triple-child-murder case.

July 6

In Jessup/ Severna Park news, Marcus A. Christian, 46, was indicted for first-degree murder in the death June 4 of 38-year-old Michael Patrick Conway. And Douglas Mark Stephany, 40, in Severna Park was indicted for possession of child pornography and soliciting a minor for a sex act.

Big Brother is indeed watching (though he doesn't care about your grammar or who you fall in love with) Dept: Bmore's surveillance cameras have spotted a kidnapped one-year-old and a drug deal in progress. You know you're in baltimore when the Blunt was located in seconds but one-year-old Erica Alexander is still missing.

July 5

You know you're reading the Sun when the murder of two human beings is less important than reporting on railroad-track repairs and a zoning hearing about a parking garage. But if you scroll way down you might find out that Lamar Robinson, 26, and Donyae Bogues, 30, died last night of multiple gunshot wounds.

...and you know you're reading the Sun when the story's out of date. Kevin Dorsey and Dennis Bowers, 18 and 20, were scheduled to go on trial today for killing 15-year-old Kareem Hanks, but Dorsey and Bowers' trial has been postponed to July 20. The alledged murderers were supposed to be on home detention while out on bail, but the company that was supposed to be monitoring them either wasn't, or didn't report the fact that they were missing to the state. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted the pair on October 26, 2004 for first-degree murder, conspiracy to murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, armed carjacking and conspiracy to carjack.

The "Stop Snitchin'" cameraman, Akiba Matthews, was supposed to go on trial today for drug charges, but alas, the trial has been postponed (or po-stoned, as JZ would say) to September 12. Says the prosecutor's office, "Although the State and the defense were ready for trial, the case was postponed because no courtroom was available."

The murder trial of Adan Espinoza Canela, 18, and Policarpio Espinoza Perez, 22, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Thomas Ward. Canela and Espinoza are charged with three counts each of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon, (a knife), in the May 27, 2004 deaths of Ricardo Quesada, Jr., 9, Lucero Quesada, 9, and Alexis Espejo, 10. Canela and Espinoza remain held in the Baltimore City Detention Center without bail. Prosecutors say DNA evidence will figure prominently in the case. (Here's a link to a story about the killings from May 29)

A bail review today, Kevin Armen Jackson, 23, got $250,000 bail. Jackson is currently in the Baltimore City Jail, charged with alleged attempted 1st degree murder, 1st and 2nd-degree assault, and other charges. Don't know the details there, but will investigate.

And in today's bail review of Michael Ward, 28, dude got no-bail status. On December 9, 2004 Ward was involved in the beating of Kenneth Hurt, 45. Hurt was taken to Mercy Hospital for a head injury and was placed in the nursing home unit due to the severe head trauma. He reported that two unidentified black males beat him over the head around the 1500 block of North Eden Street. On January 4, 2004 Hurt died of his injuries. Ward was arrested over the weekend and charged with homicide.

At a hearing today, James Joyner, 27, pled guilty to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Roger W. Brown sentenced Joyner to life in prison, suspend all but 20 years, the first five without the possibility of parole. On March 9, 2004 in the rear of a residence in the 900 block of Lemon Street, Joyner shot in the back and killed Antonio Izzard, 28.

Two robbers picked the wrong patsy in the Western last night: the intended victim turned out to be a plain-clothes police officer, who shot them both with his service revolver.

July 3

A hero cab driver prevented a three-year-old boy's kidnapping in Fell's Point.

In PG County police are looking for a hit-and-run driver in a Honda Accord who killed a man on a motorcycle.

Anthony "Tony" Lamont Johnson, 37, got eight years for assaulting two police officers.

July 2

There'll be no new trial for convicted child sexual abuser Maurice Blackwell. From Jessamy's office:

State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced late Friday that the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office will not pursue a new trial in the pending sexual abuse indictment against Maurice Blackwell. Her decision late Friday afternoon followed a meeting with the victim in the pending case, who was informed of the State's Attorney's decision not to prosecute the sexual abuse charges in a new trial this fall. "The State's Attorney must fairly and reasonably consider each criminal case based on the law, the facts and the evidence. After a thorough review of the sex abuse statute, the original trial transcript, meetings with prosecutors and detectives, and consideration of possible sentencing outcomes, as well as the legal guidelines that outline the requirements of the sex offense registry in Maryland, I reached a decision that I believe is in the interest of justice," said State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy. On April 8 the Honorable Stuart R, Berger ordered a new trial after a motion filed by Maurice Blackwell's defense attorney sought to overturn guilty verdicts on three count of sexual child abuse rendered by a Baltimore jury on February 17. The jury acquitted Blackwell of the alleged 1989 abuse charge but convicted him of the 1990-1992 abuse charges. Each felony charge of sexual child abuse carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.

So it sounds like Blackwell is free to go. And in spite of the Attorney's office releasing the statement on a Friday afternoon when most reporters are at the bar, the story has gone international. And here's the link to the Sun story.

July 1

A man has been shot multiple times in Northwest Baltimore.

A 12-year-old Baltimore girl, Raven Randal, is missing in Massachusetts and an Amber alert has been issued. UPDATE: She's been found.

So maybe things could be worse: I was shocked to hear that in the California penal system, an inmate a week dies from neglect or maltreatment.

June 30

Wilton Britton got 15 years for robbing the Provident Bank on Reisterstown Road.

Judge Paul Alpert sentenced police officer Keith Jennings (pictured left), 37, of Billie Holliday Court, to 10 years in prison, suspend all but three years and three years probation at a sentencing hearing today. A city jury convicted Jennings June 2 of one count of perverted practice. Oddly, the jury found him not guilty of misconduct while in office (if it had been missionary that would have been okay, I guess).

At a hearing today Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced Derrick Green, 39, to 45-years in prison. A Baltimore City jury convicted Green April 26 of two counts attempted second-degree murder, two counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and felon in possession of a handgun. Judge Schwait ordered that Green serve 20 years in prison for the first attempted second-degree murder count, 20 years in prison for the second attempted first-degree murder count and five years in prison for the felon in possession of a handgun count. Judge Schwait ordered that these sentences run consecutively. Judge Schwait also ordered Green to serve two concurrent 20-year prison terms for each use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence count. On March 26, 2004 Green approached a basketball court located in the 1400 block of Strohmeyer Way, removed a black handgun from his "dip" area and began shooting several times toward individuals on the basketball court. All of the individuals were juvenile boys, two of whom were struck. One suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg and the other suffered a gunshot wound to the left ankle. Both boys were 13 years old at the time of the incident.

At a hearing today Judge David Young sentenced Kevin Gross, 35, to 55 years in prison. A Baltimore City jury convicted Gross May 18 of attempted second-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and felon in possession of a handgun. Judge Young ordered that Gross serve 30 years in prison for the attempted second-degree murder, 20 years in prison, first five without the possibility of parole, for the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence count and five years in prison for the felon in possession of a handgun count. Judge Young ordered all the sentences to run consecutively. On July 19, 2004 Gross entered a house in the 200 block of Dallas Court where William Mobley, 39, was with an acquaintance. Gross ordered Mobley to "kick it out" at which point Mobley gave Gross some money. Gross then demanded more money, pistol whipping Mobley and knocking several teeth out. Gross then fired multiple shots at Mobley, striking him once in the shoulder.

The attempted murder trial of David Ellerby, 32, of the 400 block of E. Lanvale Street, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge McCurdy. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Ellerby May 15, 2003 for attempted first-degree murder, assault, conspiracy to commit murder and handgun violations. Court documents allege that on April 14, 2003 Ellerby attempted to murder Jammar Jones. Ellerby is also charged separately with felony narcotics counts and is pending trial July 6 and a first-degree murder count and is pending trial August 11.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted correctional officer Sherman Lawrence, 21 and inmates Ronald McClary, 35, and Donte Smith, 24, for attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree assault and weapons counts in connection to a stabbing at the Baltimore City Detention Center on May 11. Court documents allege Lawrence, McClary and Smith conspired to murder inmate Ronald Scott, 26. Scott was stabbed in the Baltimore City Detention Center on May 11. Scott survived and remains at the Detention Center awaiting trial July 18 on attempted murder charges. Lawrence is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status. Smith is being held at the Detention Center on a no bail status and is awaiting trial September 6 on felony drug charges. McClary is an inmate in the Maryland Division of Correction, serving a 10 year prison term following a violation of probation in a felony narcotics case.

Ehrlich announced today that the troubled Hickey School will close November 30.

The city is suing the state over the problems at Central Booking (I guess the state runs Central Booking, not the city. So maybe it's not O'Malley's fault after all?).

Robert Keenan, the "Ecstasy Doctor," was sentenced to seven years in prison.

June 29

More details on last week's murders in the ink.

Relatives of inmates murdered at Central Booking held a vigil last night. Meanwhile, two inmates were shanked at Jessup.