October 17

The murder trial of Aaron Bell, 18; Derrick Davis, 18; Xavier Lewis, 18, and James Robinson, 19, will begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. before Judge John M. Glynn. The Grand Jury indicted the defendants March 28 for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and assault counts in connection with a homicide that occurred on February 23. Court documents allege that the defendants shot and killed Reginald Gray, 18, while he was a passenger in a car. Three other victims in the car also sustained injuries in the shooting.

The Court of Special Appeals confirmed Jovan House's first-degree murder conviction in the shooting death of police detective Thomas Gary Newman. Newman was shot nine times outside of Joe's Tavern in Dundalk in retaliation for testifying in a previous case against a defendant, Andre Travers, who shot him in the neck.

Theodore Bratis, 26, of Dundalk, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the Friday night stabbing death of Gregory Takacs, 20.

In the blotter, Dyron Hardnett, 27, was stabbed in the face but drove himself to the hospital, and a woman in Dundalk was shot in the face in a "domestic incident."

An officer in the North Point Precinct fatally mowed down a teenager on a bicycle.

Edward J. Stresewski, 32, of Baltimore was indicted in Stafford County VA for possession of burglary tools, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, conspiracy, two counts of fraudulent use of identification, attempted burglary and tampering with a vending machine.

Attn CV muggers: now that the hubub about the Ensler and Trinh murders has died down, Hopkins van service will now stop running at 10 p.m., effectively stranding any students caught out late at night. However, Captain George Kibler said, "If we've got a young lady out there by herself, we'll get her." Perhaps the Captain is unaware that statistically men are significantly more likely to be victims of violent crime than women, and more likely to be assaulted by strangers in public places. Or maybe he's just sexist.

Not only are skirts no good at being mugged, you can't even trust em with the laundry: Pamela Y. Hoffler-Riddick, 44, a mother of two and former edcation official who was employed in Baltimore, PG, MoCo and Virginia has pled guilty to five counts of money laundering for a $20 million drug ring. She faces 100 years, with time off for perfect makeup, flawless skin and a remorseful headshot to die for. Photo left, Bill O'Leary, WashPost.

October 16

Three Marylanders were killed in Iraq when their Humvee was rear-ended, including Brian Connor, a 32-year-old city firefighter and grandfather. Thirty-three Marylanders have now died in "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Dos hombres mataron a una mujer en el condado de Somerset.

A man stabbed to death in Dundalk Friday night was identified as 20-year-old Gregory Joseph Takacs.

Butterfingers! A 25 year-old gang member and murder defendant was mistakenly released in PG County.

Enviro-crime that makes you go hmm: traces of pharmaceuticals in the runoff from the Blue Plains sewage treatment plant, which serves VA and DC as well as Montgomery and PG counties, has created mutant fish and bivavles with "bizarre sexual traits".

Speaking of MoCo, a 17-year-old employee of Jerry's Subs was stabbed during a robbery attempt.

So MoCo isn't perfect, but overall the county's crime is down 12 percent and it has excellent schools, and the powers that be are supposedly adding police and correctional officers. And Silver Spring has been cleaned up (nowhere near the challenge of Baltimore City, but it's something). Because of that, this site is endorsing Doug Duncan for dem. candidate/governor. BTW does anyone know-- if O'Malley loses the gubernatorial thing, will he still be mayor? Or will we be electing a new mayor at the same time? And if so, who's running?

October 15

A passenger and driver were shot then crashed yesterday morning in the 3300 block of Frederick Avenue.

In the Annapolis Area, Delbert Maurice Owens stabbed his estranged wife, Andterri Ora Thompson, and himself in front of their 11-year-old son. Both adults were flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

See your tax dollars at work and scare the kids straight from 9 a.m. to noon today at a free tour of Baltimore County's new jail at Kenilworth and Bosley!

How did Gilbert Sapperstein, who pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy, bribery and theft in connection with a scheme to defraud the city school system of $3.3 million, get his jail time cut in half?

Neighbors in the York Road corridor have started a crime watch listserv. Also in the Messenger, stolen mopeds, CDs and wallets.

In White Marsh an officer is on routine administrative leave after shooting a gun-toting car thief from Essex in the elbow.

October 14

A 21-year-old former football player, Brandon Cherry, was shot dead as he resisted getting mugged near the Northwood shopping center.

A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Ronald McClary, 59, of West Pratt Street in connection with the shooting death of his wife, Eartha McClary, 44. Court documents allege that on September 20 Ronald McClary shot his wife in front of their home. McClary is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. An arraignment is scheduled for November 8 before Judge Lynn Stewart.

The murder trial of Cedric Stancil, 30, is scheduled to begin 9:00 a.m. Monday, October 17 before Judge Eward Hargadon. The BCity Grand Jury indicted Stancil March 1, 2004, for the July 9, 2003 shooting death of Edwin Boyd, 17, in the 2300 Block of E. Oliver Street. Stancil was also indicted for conspiracy to murder and felony narcotics charges.

The murder trial of Tavon Blackstone, 25, Eric Kendall Colclough, 29,and Brandon Hall, 18, and William Younger Woodland, 25, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday before Judge Edward Hargadon. The Baltimore Grand Jury indicted all four men April 7 for first-degree murder. Court documents allege that Blackstone, Colclough, Hall and Woodland conspired to murder Lawrence Fields, Jr., 17. Fields was shot inside a residence located in the 2600 block of Huron Street.

In the blotter, the woman shot in her home near Rogers avenue was identified as 39-year-old Sandy Crawford. A man shot in Leakin Park (first I've heard of the incident) was identified as Stephen Robinson, 55. No word if his soul will be wandering in purgatory in time for the haunted hike.
The judge who dismissed Yvette Cade's proective order has been removed from domestic violence cases by the court's chief administrative judge, Thurman Rhodes.

More insanity in PG County (I try to just focus on BCity, but on the other hand it's kind of hard to ignore an entire county falling into violent anarchy): Keith Ingaharra of Clinton, was shot about four times with a handgun Wednesday after arguing with Alfred Evans, 39 during a road rage incident.

Case to watch: the second time, Easton police have arrested a woman for giving birth to a crack baby. Stephanie Robbins, 24, is being held on $25,000 bail for child abuse, reckless endangerment and drug possession.

... other recent ACLU project: complaining about the Christian comedy show "Attitude Check: A Pizza Blast with Rick and Mick." (Would Katie O'Malley Simpson be Martin's sister?)

In Elkton, police are seeking Thomas Johnson, 41, a convict who escaped through a prison laundry vent.

Trial starts today for Randallstownian Daniel Baldwin, accused of securities fraud in the eChapman.com case.

October 13

We're up to 209 murders, the majority of this week's unreported until Ditkoff found them. Glad to hear there's been an arrest in the murder of Abdul-Bari Muhammad, the 17-year-old shot in the parking lot of Mondawmin Mall. The arrestee is 18.

Think we've got it bad? Well, we do, but in PG County, murder is up 18 percent, carjackings are up 55 percent and robberies are up 34 percent from last year.

And more horrors from PG county: Yvette Cade, the woman whose soon-to-be ex-husband set her on fire, just weeks ago pled with judge Richard Palumbo not to dismiss a protective order she taken out against Hargrove filed in July, to no avail.

Oswald Victor Voigt, 48, pled not guilty this morning for first-degree murder in connection with the death of Robin Hoey, 36. A Baltimore Grand Jury indicted Voigt on September 9. Court documents allege on August 9 police officers found the body of Robin Hoey inside a safe. The Medical Examiner concluded that Hoey died as a result of asphyxiation and ruled it a homicide. Voigt confessed the murder to investigators.

In Dundalk, 23-year-old Sarah Glover got 15 years in prison for paying 18-year-old Kevin Martin to beat up Joseph Salisbury, an ex-bf who kicked her out for drug use. Martin got 30 years.

Marco Silver, 36, was shot in the head in a Towson apartment.

David Braxton, charged with witness intimidation, failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment today. Judge Lynn Stewart issued a warrant for his arrest. Braxton had previously posted $50,000 bail.

A 20-year-old was stabbed in the forehead then wandered into an elementary school in Randallstown.

A Glen Burnie man, Dexter Bert Tyson, 31, is facing life without parole in Federal prison on drug and weapons charges.

Jessamy and Glenn laid into the parole commission, saying their methods are "impossible to sort out" and "arcane and mysterious, beyond all understanding." Hey bitchin, there also appears to be no password needed get into the law digest, either! Thanks Raymond, way to keep the little rag relevant.

And it's arrest-o-rama in the blotter. Police say that they made a record number of arrests in July and August.

A 21-year-old "dad," Paul James Jr., has been arrested for making the bomb that the 17-month-old drank while in grandma's care.

Oh, you wacky addicts, stealing lightpoles. And speaking of HotSpots, where's the scrap metal yard that would buy a city lightpole, no questions asked? I agree with you, 'non-- HotSpots are stupid. First the gun buyback and now this, what's with the City resurrecting techniques that are proven failures? How about a little window-fixing action for a change?

Chuck makes a point: only in Baltimore could a 35-year-old woman be beaten to death in her home with shovels and only get a single, passing mention in the local media.

October 12

No suspects, no motive in the shooting death of a woman in the Northeastern.

Jerrod Bernard Byers, 22, was shot three times near North Avenue and died about two hours later at Shock Trauma.

Coyotes were thwarted by a cell phone with a GPS chip when they tried to abduct 22-year-old Hugo Umana.

Got a smack habit to the nth degree? While you wait for a bed to free, do tai chi and drink chai tea at the city's Threshold to Recovery! Meanwhile, the County has been forced to suck it up, pay $20K and allow a methadone clinic to open in Pikesville.

The city's going after intimidators: An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning for David Braxton, 24. Court documents allege that on March 14, 2005 Braxton did threaten and harass two witnesses in a shooting investigation.

"No bail" status for Roger Hargraves, accused of setting his wife on fire.

October 11

Osborne Robinson, Jr., 59, of E. 33rd Street, is scheduled for arraignment at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Lynn K. Stewart for manslaughter in connection with the death of James Royster, 58. A Baltimore Grand Jury indicted Robinson on August 30. Court documents allege on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 Royster was sitting on his front steps in the 1800 block of North Bond Street when he was approached by Robinson. Words were exchanged between the two men which led to an altercation. Afterward, Royster was in severe pain and transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he fell into a coma. Royster remained in a coma and on life support until his family decided to remove him from life support on July 14, 2005. Robinson is currently released on a $50,000 bail.

Jessamy announced today that a Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Charles Benedict Knott Sr. 51, of the 1300 block of Clipper Heights Avenue in connection with the death of James Garrett, 56. Court documents allege that on September 16, 2005 in the 1100 block of West 36th Street Charles Knott and James Garrett got into an altercation which resulted in Knott striking Garrett several times with a cane about the head. Garrett was transported to Union Memorial Hospital where he later died from his injuries. Knott is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

What the ?! In Clinton a man went into the T-Mobile store where his wife worked, doused her with gasoline and set her on fire.

A 15-year-old was arrested for carjacking a woman in the parking lot of a shopping center in Towson.

How to Get Robbed:

• If you hear a knock on the door and you don't know who it is, find out by opening the door.


• Walk around the city in flip-flops and a baseball hat, by yourself, drunk, late at night


• If someone starts talking to you on the street, stop imemdiately and pay attention to what he's saying! He needs a cigarette? You bet! What time is it? Better stop and check the watch! Your car's broken down over there? Tell me more!


• Leave your iPod on the seat of your car


• Park your SUV at a Towson mall, and gas it up at discount urban filling stations late at night.


• Leave any doors, gates or windows unlocked, don't buy curtains and put a camcorder on the coffee table.

The murder trial of Martin Morgan, originally scheduled to begin today, has been postponed at the request of the State until January 30, 2006.

William Nicholson pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Judge Roger W. Brown scheduled a sentencing date of January 9, 2006.

Good reading from the archives: Sun's "Cases crumble, killers go free: Police blunders in homicides leave city's 'lifestyle of death' unchecked". Good pie graph action.

October 10

There is a plan, and it has a name! O'Malley announced a $3 million expansion of the HotSpots initiative.

Marine Major Michael J. Brown is in Baltimore County Jail facing kidnapping charges for the the alleged kidnapping of Lu Jin, 18. Brown was arrested in Okinawa last year and convicted of attempting an indecent act and destruction of property. The case made headlines in Japan when the military refused to hand him over to local authorities.

Two murder victims have been identified: Davon Jackson, 22, was found shot on N. Chester street in the Northeastern. Garette Saunders, 27, of Gaithersburg was the man shot in the Hummer with Texas plates. And Edgewater murder/suicide victims have identified as Kenneth Brian Kertesz, who died, and William Augustus Snow Jr., who survived. The murderer/suicide was named as 30 year-old Michael Wayne Baxter Jr.

Police arrested a suspect who plowed his car into a 53-year-old female pedestrian and attempted to flee the scene.

A man stabbed his wife and then himself in Annapolis.

Courts will not be in session due to Native-American Holocaust Remembrance Day. In honor, garbage and recycling will pile at the curb.

ps. the "comments" feature is experiencing technical difficulties

October 9

A success story: Chiacgo's CeaseFire program may have played a part in the city's amazing murder-rate drop. Reports the founder of the program, the number of killings has been cut nearly in half in CeaseFire zones since outreach workers hit the first neighborhood in 2000. (Login dallas123@news.com, password 123456)

A vigil in Dundalk was held to commemorate the 70 Marylanders who lost their lives to domestic violence last year. If that number is accurate, then that's 1 out of 4 for 2004. Hey, did you know in 2003 Maryland was just behind Louisiana in the homicide rate? After Katrina are we first now?

A hit-and-run driver killed Lamont Kennedy, 28. Also, Kendall Charles Alexander Sr., 41, wanted for killing an officer and robbing a bank, was arrested on Rolling Road.

Three correctional officers entered "not guilty" pleas for the beating death of Raymond K. Smoot, 51.

Loved ones are holding a vigil in Frederick for an 18-year-old who was holding an air gun when he was shot to death by police.

Ew, perverts! A roving man broke into a student's room near U of MD in College Park, laid on top of her and fondled her while she was sleeping in bed.

The 4th circuit court of appeals will hear The Sun v. Ehrlich.

Some guy named Doug Duncan is apparently also running for governor.

Bored at work? Channel 13's web site reveals fascinating details about its orange-cheeked anchors, such as that Mary Bubala is a short Libra, and Kai Jackson's favorite band is Earth, Wind & Fire. Marty Bass enjoys pork sandwiches and thinks that math is hard. Ooh, baby, I just want to get in your head! And Mike Schuh's favorite interview? "anyone who connect with the audience" over Spicy Ho Fun. Hey I have an idea-- how about sending the crack reporters who reported on the reporters to whip up half as much of a report on murder victims and the not-so-fun hos? Or a story about how the state of education is so bad, JZ can't find Mike a copy editor? They all suck but you, Mary Bubala-- that gal can intonate the hell out of a 'prompter feed, and I think she might be smart, too. Maybe she can talk to her Chicago people and come up with that hard-hitting Emmy report on what CeaseFire could do. Richard, introduce her your connections and retire already. How weird that Bob Turk is the only one from Maryland!

The "Stop Snitchin" shirt has hit the NYT magazine. Unshockingly the majority of sales are to suburban kids. Laments a designer, "it's almost like they don't know what it means."

October 8

Thanks 'non- A now-former corrections officer and two inmates are off the hook for the stabbing of Ronald Scott, on account of Scott being stabbed to death by someone else. According to charging documents, the former correctional officer, Sherman Lawrence, 21, arranged Scott's first stabbing at the Detention Center.

A Howard County 16-year-old was arrested for setting up a moonshine still that produced two teaspoons of whiskey.

October 7

Albert Antonelli, the killer of hot cop Duke Aaron III, got his official three-year sentence today. His wife Jennifer left a touching statement on the memorial page of another fallen officer, Brian Donte Wilder.

A triple shooting in Edgewater-- a double attempted homicide + suicide. I wish BAL had a better stock illos. than that gun pointed at my head, like a photo of the actual people involved.

The tale of politician/crime victim A. Robert Kaufman illustrates the difficulty of putting Quaker beliefs into practice.

The attempted murder, witness intimidation trial of Joseph DiAngelo (the dude who hired the guys to beat a witness with a table leg), originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until November 4 at the request of the defense.

Not-so-Heavenly Creatures: A Bethesda lawyer, Elsa Newman, was found guilty of consipiring with her best friend Margery Landry to kill her ex-husband.

The murder trial of Tyrone Beane, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until December 15. Judge Lynn Stewart ruled there was cause for this postponement because there were no courts available.

A DC think tank's sobering report on Bmore drug crimes: "four out of five convicted offenders in Baltimore need treatment [for drug addiction]."

October 6

An arraignment is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning for Antonio Watts, 17, before Judge Stewart for attempted first-degree murder. A Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Watts on September 2 for allegedly shooting Leroy Lanteon, 46. Watts was also indicted on attempted second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, and varies handgun violation counts. Court documents allege that on April 20 in the 1600 block of North Patterson Park Avenue police arrived to the crime scene to find Lanteon suffering from a gunshot wound. Watts was identified through eyewitness accounts.

Antonio Mosby struck a deal with prosecutors to testify in the federal case against cops and robbers William A. King and Antonio L. Murray, accused of shaking down drug addicts.

On 36th and Elm I saw a mature and experienced-looking policeman out of his car and having a conversation with the local teen apprentice hoodlums! WTF is that, some actual community policing and shit? A cop out walking the beat in Baltimore... now I've seen it all. See, Jim [Kraft], that's really all it takes to make Mrs. Jones happy (and really that's what the blog is all about, in spite of what it says in the CP). If the kids know they're being watched maybe they'll move their loud foulmouthed dimebag-selling asses under the bridge where they belong and off my stoop.

Carjacking, robbery and theft in the blotter.

The autopsy revealed nothing in the Villa Julie student/dead baby case (or at least nothing the coroner is revealing-- surely they put a wad of alveoli in water to see if it floated).

In BaCo, the Scott Peterson of Rosedale, Charles Lee Johnson, got life in prison from Bollinger for killing the mother of his child, Dionne Renee Saulter, 26.

What the?! A child drank from a bottle of chemicals that his grandmother(?) was using to make a homemade bomb.

Also in the burbs police arrested four people for armed stick-ups at the Owings Mills metro station.

The trial of Joseph DiAngelo, 51, of Wells Avenue, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Wanda K. Heard. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted DiAngelo April 5 for first-degree assault, witness intimidation and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. Court documents allege DiAngelo hired two individuals to conduct a home invasion/assault on a witness in a pending assault case. The hired individuals entered the home armed with table legs( ?!?) to assault the victim/witness. The home occupants killed one of the individuals. The other individual, William Morton, pled guilty last month to burglary. DiAngelo is being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Sites will prosecute this case.

Baltimore city's juvenile offenders may be sent to out-of-state campuses, at the cost of $47,000 to $97,000 per hoodlum per year. (Reminds me of my former college PoliSci professor's saying: "the government only knows how to focus on what comes out of the horse." He studied in Bmore- coincidence?)

Audrey James, 50, got 90 days from John Glynn for stealing $335k from Head Start.

Justice, Frederick-style: a guy got jail time for throwing a shoestring at an officer.

Students at the U of MD endorse O'Malley.

October 5

Former correctional officers, Dameon Christopher Woods, 33, of Baltimore County, Nathan Delmont Colbert, 42, and James Leonard Hatcher, 43, are scheduled for arraignment before Judge Lynn Stewart tomorrow. Woods, Colbert, and Hatcher were indicted on August 16 for second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, and conspiracy to first and second-degree assault in connection to the beating death of Raymond K. Smoot, 51. Court documents allege that on May 14 Smoot was in custody in his cell at the Central Booking and Intake Facility when he was beaten to death. Second-degree murder carries a maximum possible prison term of 30 years. I'll be interested to read the city's brief.

The murder trial of Ernest Harris, Jr., 54, of Churchville, MD is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Shirley M. Watts. The Baltimore City Grand jury indicted Harris June 2 for first-degree murder in connection with the 1984 homicide of Arden Shirley Epps, 56. Harris has also been indicted on robbery deadly weapon and first-degree burglary charges. Court documents allege that on September 24-25, 1984 at 4 South Rosedale Avenue, co-workers discovered Epps' body lying in a pool of blood on the second-floor front bedroom of her home. Epps had sustained multiple stab and cut wounds. The victim's co-workers went to her house after she failed to report to work. Police found the home ransacked with some of Ms. Epps' belongings stolen. Police recovered latent fingerprints from the crime scene and those prints allegedly match those of Harris. And if that wasn't bad enough, Harris is currently out on bail.

Warren Brown to Hamm: y'all need to cut out that liberty-disregarding "jive lip service."*

A 17-year-old high school senior was shot in the head while walking through the school parking lot.

A 25-year-old Baltimore man, Shonari Warren, rejected a plea deal in PA. He's charged with killing Leonard Smith Jr., a heating-oil delivery man, based on an eyewitness picking him out of a photo lineup. Warren claims he didn't do it.

Last Friday, a man in a Hummer with Texas plates was gunned down near Reisterstown Road Plaza.

A baby in a storm drain leads to 20-year-old a Villa Julie student.

City Councilman James B. Craft blames me for the city police's high number of fishy arrests.

A crackhead led state troopers on a "high"-speed chase.

The attempted murder trial of Keyona Dillon, originally scheduled to begin Monday, was (how shocking) postponed to November 7.

A cop cashed stolen traveler's checks in Easton.

Walter Robertson, Jr., charged with sex offense, was held on $120,000 bail following a bail review hearing at Wabash District Court.

Slow news day: This NBC affiliate illustrates why watching tv news is a waste of time.

*announcing the first-ever BCrime contest! The best make-believe Hamm or Jessamy "lip service jive" quote will win the equivalent of one hour of a Baltimore City teacher's salary via Paypal! Good luck Super Honkies and Spades! Don't let your mouth get your ass in trouble!

Must be original and actual jive. Ebonics, Shaft and Cleopatra Jones quotes will be disqualified. Void where prohibited.

October 4

Back form the relative peace and tranquility of Oakland CA. Thanks, tip-linkers, for helping out. Indeed, crime is way down... almost everywhere but here. Are we seriously a city with a singular, unstoppable "culture of violence"? And if so... whose fault is it?

An arrest has ben made in the murder of Nachin Pak, a restaurant worker in Cherry Hill.

Frank Thodos got 15 years for distributing child porn.

In Owings Mills, robbery appears to be the motive for the murders Howard Thacker Jr. and his 17-year-old nephew, Dontay.

In Halethorpe, Shawn James Sullivan, 31, was arrested for shooting Matthew Stumpf, 30, and John Gilchrest, 32.

I effing hate these stories... a dad mistakenly broiled his one-year-old to death when he forgot to take him to the babysitter's and left him in a car in Hunt Valley, instead.

In Hamilton a family was robbed. Also missing is a Bassett-hound-looking dog named Max.

September 28

The blogger will be away until late next week. Please leave links to stories that readers might "enjoy" in the "comments" department.

Here's a good one from the Sun archives about the differences in the application of the death penalty between the city and the county from 2002.

September 27

Erik Johnson, 32, of Orleans Street, and Juan Tucker, 29, of West Fayette Street, pled guilty today to use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, first-degree assault, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Tucker to five-years in prison without the possibility of parole, and Johnson to seven- ears in prison with all but all but three years suspended and three years probation for second-degree assault and concurrent sentences for obstruction of justice and witness intimidation. On April 13, 2004, Johnson and Tucker threatened a homicide witness and attempted to convince the witness to not appear in Court in for an upcoming homicide trial and to retaliate against him for testifying in Tucker's case by using a handgun.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Corey McMillon, 28, for first-degree murder, handgun on person, and handgun used in commission of a felony and crime of violence in connection with the shooting death of Jamel Jermaine St. Clair, 17. McMillon was also indicted on several other counts, including robbery deadly weapon, f st-degree and second-degree assault, and additional handgun violations. Court documents allege that on April 1 McMillon fatally shot St. Clair in the 2000 block of East North Avenue. McMillon approached St. Clair and started to go through his pockets. When St. Clair attempted to run McMillon pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. McMillon is currently in the Baltimore City jail awaiting trial on a double shooting. An arraignment is scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2005 before Judge John P. Miller.

The trial of Myron Merrill Gladney, 19, is scheduled to begin 9:00 a.m. tomorrow before Judge John Glynn. On June 1 a Baltimore City grand jury indicted Gladney on charges of attempted murder and intimidating a witness. Court documents allege that on April 6 Gladney approached the victim (who was scheduled to testify in the homicide trial of his brother) at E. 25th Street and Harford Road and shot him in the stomach.

At a hearing today before the scheduled start of the "Spam®" murder trial, Michael Hughes, 58, pled guilty to second-degree murder and wear/carry/transport a handgun. Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Hughes to 20 years in prison, suspending all but three-years and three-years in prison, concurrent, for the handgun count. (So six years then?) Hughes was extradited to Maryland in December 2004.

In arraignment court today, Donatz Winston pled not guilty and a trial date was set for December 2 before Judge Heard.

September 26

This story about elderly murder victims notes that the current Baltimore homicide clearance rate is 36 percent. The national average is about 67 percent. Even with a generous curve, that's an F-minus in my classroom.

The murder trial of Michael Hughes, 58, of the unit block of Anson Street, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Hughes for first-degree murder January 3 of this year. Court documents allege Hughes murdered McKinley Johnson, 40, on December 24, 1974 in the 1700 block of Baker Street. News sources reported the murder was over a stolen can of Spam®. A murder warrant was issued for Hughes in 1974, but he was not arrested until summer 2003 in Boston and extradited to Maryland in December 2004. Hughes is currently being held without bail. Assistant State's Attorney and Homicide Division Chief Mark Cohen will prosecute the case.

Yay, some witness intimidation prosecutions: A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sandy Rogers-Howerton, 44, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 2, Hargrove District Courthouse, 700 E. Patapsco Avenue. Court documents allege that on July 2, 2005 Rogers-Howerton attempted to influence/intimidate a witness in the discharge of his duty. The witness reports that Rogers-Howerton and an accomplice threatened the witness and family members with assault and harassment. And the witness intimidation trial of Erik Johnson, 32, and Juan Tucker, 29, is scheduled to begin 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 N. Calvert Street. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Johnson and Tucker May 14, 2004 for intimidating/corrupting/influencing a juror/witness. Court documents allege Johnson and Tucker attempted to intimidate and retaliate against a witness in a pending murder case in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Johnson and Tucker are currently being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Assistant State's Attorney Samuel Yee is prosecuting the case.

The murder trial of Michael Johnson, 15, of the 1600 block of West Franklin Street, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Edward R.K. Hargadon. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Johnson for first-degree murder and handgun counts May 18. Court documents allege that on December 1, 2004 Johnson shot and killed Flenall Carter, III, 19.
Johnson is currently being held without bail.

The victim who died in the Water Street triple-stabbing has been identified as Stanley Thomas, 35.
Also identified was Terrance P. Williams, 18, who was stabbed to death in East Baltimore.

A homicide arrest for the murder of Thomas Mason, 35, in the blotter.

Baltimore County police have arrested 22-year-old Geremiah Johnson for first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault and arson in the death of Evelyn Amereihn and the stabbing of 22-year-old William Clark Mitchell.

The Euerildo Vasquez kidnapping case was postponed because interpreter was not present. The new court date is October 24.

Police say two of the three deaths in Howard County Detention Center were suicides.

Dontaz Anthony Winston, 23, is scheduled for arraignment for two counts of firearm violation Tuesday, September 27 before Judge Lynn Stewart. Winston was indicted by the Baltimore Grand Jury on August 22 for handgun on person and for possession of regulated firearm after being convicted of drug felony. Court documents allege that on August 3 police officers observed Winston ditching a firearm in a rear yard of a vacant dwelling in the 900 block of North Streeper Street. The firearm was recovered by police officers and Winston was arrested at the scene.

A pair of federal employees, Franklin G. Thomas and Andrea D. Harrison, are facing a max of 20 years after they pled guilty to stealing from the SSA and NASA.

After the "Staying Alive" program showed success, the city has trained about 800 people to know the signs of heroin overdose and admister naloxone, (right) and the health department is seeking to expand the program. Thanks to better availability of the drug, last year the city recorded 261 fatal overdoses, the lowest rate since the turn of the century.

The anti-snitching tee shirt is the 2005 "X" cap. Baltimore's fashion statement to the world has even been featured in the latest L'il Kim video.

O'Malley will anounce his bid for governor this week.

September 25

Did you know that a guard convicted in the Abu Ghraib scandal, Robert Jones, left, is now with the Baltimore Police?

Dan Rodericks knows well that human beings can only empathize with one person at a time, hence, another meditation on the evils of the drug trade, this time as a profile of a 25-year-old dealer who got beat up, impregnated some girl and now lives with his mom. Here's a more uplifting Baltimore story.

The York Road Giant has increased security following the July robbery of five teenagers.

In Baltimore County, police have arrested more than 100 people as part of Operation Just Cause in Landsdowne and Riverview.

In AACo a 19-year-old in has been arrested for shooting and killing 24-year-old James Tico Smith.

In Carroll County, assault and vandalism.

September 24

The 17-year-old victim shot outside of Mondawmin mall was identified as Abdul-Bahiri Muhammad.

A suspicious death on the West side.

Liquor Board Non-Shocker: it's really corrupt. More intriguing: two undercover police officers were posing as dancers.

One of Ehrlich's advisors, Edward B. Miller, is accused of money laundering for a lobbyist. Will he get the Joe Steffan treatment for that ethical breach? Line's posted at 1:5.

Bad Behavior in the Burbs Dept
euuu... Stanley A. Taylor, 79, a former Boy Scout leader and grandfather of 34 and great-grandfather of 10, pled guilty in circuit court to a third-degree sex offense and a child-pornography charge for taking naked pictures of a nine-year-old girl in his minivan in the Wal-Mart parking lot. But for some reason he's not in jail and is bragging to neighbors that he's "free as a bird." Here is a map to his house.

Someone robbed a gas station in Landsdowne on Hammonds Ferry Road and shot the feisty owner, George Panchigar, in the leg.

Weird: two murders outside of two different high-school football games. A girl gang beat a 15-year-old to death in the parking lot. And in Germantown, two men beat 23-year-old Stephone Wiggins to death with a mini-baseball bat after yesterday's Seneca Valley-Northwest High School football game.

Someone shot and killed a 19-year-old hotel desk clerk, Jerry Alan Wills III, at the Day's Inn in Waldorf, for no immediately apparent reason.

September 23

A man was shot in the head at Mondawmin mall.

In the blotter, an arrest in the murder of Curtis Streat, 27, of Laurel.

Judge Wanda K. heard denied a juvenile transfer motion yesterday for Keyona Dillon, 14, charged with attempted first-degree murder. Court documents allege that on May 31 of this year Dillon stabbed Shatina Quinn with a kitchen knife at Margaret Street and Washburn Avenue (in the Southern). Nearby men broke up the fight, Dillon fled and was later arrested while trying to hide in an abandoned house. The victim survived, in spite of a two-inch stab wound to the heart. Dillion remains charged as an adult and is scheduled for trial October 3.

The woman who was stabbed and had her house set on fire in Dundalk was identified as 63-year-old Evelyn Ameriehn.

Euerildo Vasquez, 27, of Belair Road, is scheduled for arraignment Monday. Vasquez was indicted on August 12 by a Baltimore City Grand Jury in connection with the kidnapping of a two-year old boy. Court documents allege that Vasquez took the boy from the El Salvadore Restaurant at 207 South Broadway, hailed a cab, and forced the child inside. The taxi driver became suspicious and signaled two Baltimore City police officers that were in the area. They arrested Vasquez and the boy was retuned to his parents in the restaurant. Vasquez is currently being held on $500,000 bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

Why is 19 year-old Moshe Khaver not in prison and getting meals delievered to Central Booking by his mother? The controversy rages on, with Judge Evelyn O. Cannon now also demanding to know what the deal is.

Did Paris Hilton give teenagers marijuana and bourbon while filming in our fair state? And wasn't Carmelo Anthony supposed to be filming a Public Service Annoucement?

Mikulski wants no killers at Arlington.

Why does everybody like to flee to Baltimore County?

A Nigerian immigrant got 14 years for an indentity theft scheme that he ran while working for Southwest Airlines at BWI.