October 20

North.
A homeless man was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Falls Road at 40th street in Hampden-- the driver's car had been found.
[Not considered a homicide-- should it be?]

A woman parked on the 3600 block of Malden Lane in Woodberry called to complain that a bunch of juveniles took rocks and materials from a city construction site and piled them on her car.

West.
Someone was "stabbed in the butt," another in the chest at La Palapa on Main Street, Ellicott City.

Northwest.
Rod Rosenstein: "The Rice brothers lived the gangster lifestyle for a few years and now they will pay the price for the rest of their lives."
Included in "gangster lifestyle": minivans, NW split-levels.

A female officer responding to a call about a baseball-bat weilding woman was stranded in the 2400 block of Denison Lane when she got no response from the radio dispatcher for a request for backup.

After someone broke a car window, four police cars and a couple of officers à pied chased a pack of 15 black male youths who'd been gathered on the corner of 3900 Labyrinth.

East.
Police conducted a "centralized debriefing initiative" in the parking lot of Old Town Mall in East Baltimore.

Northeast.
On Lily Pound Court in Edgewood HarfCo, as an old man, a 9-year-old girl, a pot plant and two dogs were minding their own business, someone threw a firebomb through a window . The people were okay, the two dogs were killed, house was wrecked, don't know about the plant.

South And Elswehere.
The CSA will hear Kevin Clark's O'case.

The City got $500k from the federal government to put surveillance cameras in schools.

Bill and Martin at the rally! Bill ♥s some Ben Cardin, those two were all huggy and whatnot... but not so much as one picture of Bill with O'Malley! That could be just how the photo opp worked out ... but note M'O's placement on stage-- back left-- not where you place someone if your point is to show the world your hot sweaty love (right)!

O'M's talking opening a big drug treatment lockdown if elected, Ehrlich says he'll expand RESTART, which provides services to inmates.

Steven I. Platt, an associate judge on the PCG Circuit, wrote a smarty editorial for the Doily Wretched. <-sub. required

An important issue when we select our leaders in November is how they plan to ensure efficiency by insisting on responsibility and accountability in the criminal justice system ... The issue: whether Mayor O’Malley's policy of zero tolerance of "quality-of-life crimes" in Baltimore City is efficient and wise ... the governor and ... Judge William Murphy, contend that this policy... has resulted in "mass arrests" of individuals in the city ... Critics say a disproportionate percentage of those arrested are African-American or other minority citizens. Following their arrests, these individuals are either never formally charged or find the charges against them summarily dropped.

... this policy has resulted in a substantial reduction in crime in Baltimore City. However, as far as its critics are concerned, the reduction is not enough to justify the large percentage of arrests that are not followed by formal prosecution. There is no mention in any of the governor's ads about any positive effects of the policy, specifically the reduction of crime ... Conversely, the mayor's ads tout the reduction of crime without mentioning the downside of the policy -- the large number of arrests that are subsequently deemed to not be worthy of prosecution and, therefore, perhaps of dubious legality. ... [But] this debate can be developed into something more useful than a get-out-the-vote technique.

Zero tolerance is a law-enforcement strategy that seeks to reduce all crime by not tolerating any crime. It has worked in one form or another in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, as well as in Baltimore. In all those cities, the same criticisms have been made.

The policy is more controversial than it would be otherwise because this strategy is not shared by the Baltimore City state's attorney, who is independently elected and who, in the criminal justice system, has the final say over whether a person arrested will be prosecuted. The state's attorney and her assistants choose not to prosecute many of the people arrested for a variety of reasons, including a cost-benefit analysis. This cost-benefit analysis begins, and in many cases ends, with the fact that even though technically the case could be successfully prosecuted, it is not worth it because the arrest itself deters further criminal activity by the suspect, which is the only purpose for detaining the person even briefly.

The police know that, in many cases, the State's Attorney's Office will not prosecute individuals arrested for these minor crimes. That being the case, critics suggest that the mayor and police are violating the civil rights of certain citizens, ostensibly to make other citizens safer by preventing crime. The critics then question whether it should continue.

The question that the governor and Mr. Murphy do not answer in their political ad is: Are they willing to trade off the reduced crime rate and the improved quality of life that accompanies it to return crime to the levels that made the city more dangerous prior to Martin O'Malley becoming mayor? The governor should answer this question if he wants this policy to be an issue in this election.

This hammer, of course, should swing both ways. Does the mayor believe that arresting large numbers of minority citizens who are then not prosecuted is acceptable and appropriate because crime is deterred by this process? If so, is there a tipping point where these arrests become abusive? The mayor should answer this question if he wants the reduction in Baltimore's crime rate to be a reason to elect him governor.

Finally, we may want to ask the mayor, the governor and the state's attorney whether any of them think not having a joint law-enforcement strategy on this, as well as in other areas, is in the interest of the citizens of Baltimore and the state. Do they believe the criminal justice system can ever work efficiently if the law-enforcement strategy of the state's attorney is not coordinated with that of the police department? The answer logically must be, "Of course not!" If so, the next question must be: "Don't you think you have a responsibility to move beyond your electoral posturing to devise a coordinated strategy that will work for all of the people? Doesn't this political and other criticism visibly undermine public trust, confidence, and respect for law enforcement and the courts?”

The overriding principle of accountability in the criminal justice system is not confined to governors, mayors and state's attorneys.

Judges, too, should be willing to accept responsibility for their decisions and ... should acknowledge that media coverage and scrutiny, as well as proposals for judicial evaluations, are not threats to judicial independence.

... We are all, however, accountable for electing leaders who will work together to produce a law-enforcement system that is coordinated, efficient and economical. This principle should shape our debate. It has not done so to date.

October 19

Patterson Park, West side:
The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Donnell Williams, 23, of Conkling Street on first-degree murder and other counts. Court documents allege Williams was identified on camera beating and kicking Cecil Saunders, 28, about the head at the Executive Inn in the 3600 block of Pulaski Highway. Saunders died as a result of his injuries. An arraignment is scheduled for November 16 before Judge John P. Miller.

West Side/ Gwynns Falls
The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Jonathan Brock, 20, of Harlem Avenue on first-degree murder. Court documents allege on July 28, before he died, Teon White, 25, identified Brock as the person responsible for shooting him in the 2100 block of Koko Lane. An arraignment is scheduled for November 17, before Judge Gale E. Rasin.

A woman allegedly raped by Southwest Baltimore police officer Jemini Jones has filed a $1 million lawsuit against him and two other members of the police "flex squad" gang.

The boy fatally shot in Cherry Hill Tuesday (220) was ID'd as Cornett Robinson, 16.
And 15-year-old Gerryl Boatwright was arrested for killing 16-year-old Bernard Davis on N. Castle Street, juvenile murder #22.

You just can't make this stuff up: Cancer-stricken septuagenarian Harry Gehlert is suing the police for arresting him after his toilet overflowed.

How this can be construed as a new trend is beyond me ... as usual, young hoods, female muggers and homicidal arsonists are honing their skills in Mount Vernon. Note use of "bumming a cigarette" in course of mugging

An eagle-eyed reader notice homicide #221 in the above story ... Marcus Rogers, who was beaten and had his apartment set on fire, died Tuesday.

Examintertorial: citizens, grand jurors deserve response from Mayor re. ignored Grand Jury report.

File under NW female body:
Two children found a body yesterday in Owings Mills.

The Feds indicted James Abu Bangura and Dartanion Antwon Wallace for a bunch of local bank robberies; Donnell Berry got 170 months for PCG and MoCo bank robberies; Kevin Dewight Honesty, busted by DNA from a hat, got 25 years for robbing the Silver Spring SunTrust.

Edgewood home invaders forced victims to strip, stole clothes, wallets, cell phone.

A hostage situation in a PGC carryout ended with the arrest of two people.

Jay Fayne, found shot to death by his son in Severna Park, was charged by Feds in June with loan-sharkery.

File under sex, music, pedo:
A former violin solist with the BSO, Timothy Baker, pled not guilty to sexual assault and indecency in CT after being accused of acts with a 16-year-old girl in Texas.

October 18

At arraignment today, Zachary James, charged with two counts of murder (and implicated in four, says Hamm), pled not guilty to both counts. The court set a January 17, 2007 trial date.

Murder #220 was a 17-year-old boy from Cherry Hill, shot in the 2800 block of Carver Road last night.
(Check out the video, hear the "homocide" rate still a major concern. Damn those homos!)

That's nice! Homicide suspect Demetries Sturgis was caught after someone saw his picture on the tv.

From an anon reader: "Did you see this? Everyone in Baltimore who crows about expungement should read it— waste of fucking time!" Not if you're trying to create a permanent underclass it ain't!

The Ink covers murders of Donnie Blanding, 22; Glenn Carlton, 38; Antionio Hill, 16.

Anna Ditkoff explains last week's mysterious SA's office press release regarding the "call-in" for violent offenders.

Renato Cawthorne, 37, was arrested for the shooting death of Jonathan Coles, 23, last December.
A man was shot during the course of a robbery in the Western.

"Stomper" in Greenbelt: MS-13 bunch of wacked-out, murderous drunks.

In Howard County, Ghafour Asemani, left, who choked his wife Samira Salmassi almost to death, got the maximum for attempted murder, 30 years.

A possible homicide on the 500 block of Center Drive in Severna Park yesterday afternoon.

Dept. of Booze and Nudity
AAC's Calvin F. Johnson was shot twice by police, now he's being charged with assault and drunken driving. JZ reports Johnson claimed he left because he had to pick up his son ... though he had cocaine, alcohol and PCP in his system.

Marquis Bridgewater, 22, is accused of raping a drunk 16-year-old girl at the Woodstock Job Corps Center on Old Court Road.


Chief liquor board inspector, "we will have to keep an eye on" Scores strip club; naked boobies on the second floor could get "dangerous."

Though a judge found Howard County officer Edward Thatcher not guilty of exposing himself to a co-worker, the internal affairs investigation continues.

Former Harford County Council President Robert S. Wagner: I regret getting blind drunk at 8 a.m., driving, falling on face.

October 17

Sixteen-year-old Antonio Hill was shot to death Sunday (<219) in the 800 block of West Baltimore Street.

Grand jury report: arrest rate "bordering on violating a person's constitutional rights." Meanwhile, protestors against the BPD arrest policies marched on War Memorial Plaza.

Police are looking for Demetries Strurgis (or Sturgis), wanted for the murder of Rasheed Stevenson, 17.

A 17-year-old stabbed a 16-year-old to death with modified kid scissors at the Hickey School.

The City Council will hold a hearing December 13 to consider a resolution asking police to reopen the investigation into the death of Robert Clay.

Jacob Radin, 89, confused his Honda's gas with its brake, ran over a security guard and hit the bank building at the 5100 block of Roland Avenue. He wasn't charged with anything, so he can keep driving! Super!

In Greenbelt, Juan "Diabolico" Lopez got seven years, three months for participating in an armed robbery and burning a bandanna that had been wrapped around a gun used by another gang member to kill a teenager.

In AAC, two idiot teenagers are charged with calling in phony bomb threats at Northeast High.

Out with a bang: (Now former) Harford County Council President Robert Wagner was arrested after driving drunk, exiting vehicle, landing face-first on pavement.

Post Op-Ed: When it comes to crime and punishment, both gubernatorial candidates have questionable managerial abilities.
BTW you can watch last night's JZ debate online.

October 16

From the U.S. Attorney's office: Howard Meyers 58, of Rockville was indicted on various illegal gambling charges.
Bertha Yolanda Paez, age 56, of Colombia, South America, was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for money laundering more than $3.5 million of cocaine and heroin $.

An unId'd man in the 6900 block of Marsue Drive killed himself after a standoff in Pikesville.

On Friday, October 13, a Baltimore City jury found Calvin Amos, 53, guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Joseph Schlick, 25. The shooting occurred in the home of the defendant at 2301 Herkimer Street on March 3. According to Court documents, Amos shot Joseph Schlick once in the forehead. When officers arrived at the scene the defendant stated he had just shot the victim, Joseph Schlick. The defendant was transported to the BPD Homicide Unit and advised of his rights. Mr. Amos gave a full confession to shooting Joseph Schlick in self-defense after Schlick entered his home through a window. A search and seizure warrant was obtained and a black powder handgun was recovered from the counter top of the kitchen. The victim was found on the kitchen floor. On March 4 the victim died of his injuries. The Office of the Coroner and Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be a homicide by shooting. Sentencing is scheduled for December 5 at 9:30 am before Judge John Carroll Byrnes, Part 93. Voluntary Manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Devon Richardson, 15, for first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 67-year-old Janice Letmate, shot September 26 in the 4000 block Biddison Lane with a rifle.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Eric Tate, 18, of Guilford Avenue on two counts of first-degree murder and carrying a deadly weapon. Court documents allege on September 10 Tate became involved in a verbal argument with another man. The argument escalated to a physical altercation, fighting and gunshots were fired. The argument occurred because the victims wore certain gang colors. The two victims, Anthony Taylor, Jr., 20 and Adrian Holiday, 19, were found suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest in the 300 block of East 22nd Street. Both victims died as a result of their injuries. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for November 2 before Judge Gale Rasin, Room 509 Courthouse East.

A protest against the police department's arrest practices will be held today from 3-5 p.m. in front of the courthouse.

At Wabash District Court this morning, Judge Hargrove sentenced Rodney Bethea in the April 13 incident which occurred at the Northeast District Baltimore Police Department as follows: four years on the false imprisonment charge; two years on the assault on law enforcement charge and two years on the escape charges ... but the sentences to be served concurrently, which means this lunatic will be out in four years .. or less than two with parole! Wow, if I was the cop beaten by a lightbulb or the employee held hostage with the scissors for three hours I'd be really pissed!

Miconduct allegations were dismissed against federal prosecutors Jason Weinstein and Steven Levin, accused of not warning the Rice brothers that a plea deal didn't mean they could keep slinging the smack.

Former Oriole Sammy "Throwin' Swannanoan" Stewart Jr., pitcher in the '83 World Series, in now in jail for his crack habit. He's still "not confident" he can kick it.

Cumberland Times Op-Ed "we're not surprised that Baltimore's crack kings would eye our community as a lucrative market for their addictive, destructive wares."

Cokie Gopshes of Baltimore got 18 years in prison after leading police on a high-speed chase on the BW Parkway.

Burglary, robbery and a home invasion in the SE.

Assaults, robberies and theft in PCG.

Probable "overzealous volunteers" are vanadlizing campaign signs.

Op-Ed: "most people charged with gun crimes skate through the state court system in Baltimore."

Culture:
But that's part of our charm! Mystery shoppers say Baltimore's customer service is among the worst.

October 15

No crime news today, because all the reporters have the day off.
So have some politics...Only 23 more days to go...
The Hagtown Herald-Mail has endorsed Ehrlich.

Can't get enough debate coverage? Here's five more stories:
"Ehrlich, O'Malley Swap Scorn in TV Debates"
"Two rivals clash with two styles"
"Schools, crime are debatable"
"It's All About Baltimore"
"Candidates Spar In Governor [sic] Debates"

Other crap we're reading:
Married couples are now the minority.

"What do you give the woman who has everything? A little black baby, it seems." A Malawian charity is seeking an injuction to keep Madonna from adopting a baby.

October 14

Officers fired after the Smoot beating death want their jobs back.

"In the summer of 2005, police burst into a Gardner (MA) apartment and expected to find a drug-dealing operation. They allege they did, but they also found a surprise: a 15-year-old boy from Baltimore who had been kidnapped ... The kidnappers were never found."

Former Sun editor-in-chief Bill Marimow has resigned as head of news for NPR, taken demotion to post of "ombudsman."

Nothing to do on a Saturday evening? Catch the live gubernatorial debate at 7 p.m. on WBAL, again Monday at 7 on JZ, or anytime at thewbalchannel.com.
Update: In case you missed it... the debate just raised more questions!
Why were the candidates sitting in little wooden bumper cars?
Why can't either one of them find a suit that fits? Were the slouchy sportcoats a conscious effort to project the common touch?
Does Ehrlich ever smile? And what's up with his gummy bracelets?
When did O'Malley start copying Bill Clinton's delivery, blinks, hand gestures and all?
O'Malley's desk was tidy and Ehrlich's was covered with papers ... what does that mean?
Who looked worse: O'Malley for interrupting over and over, or the governor for getting (repeatedly) flustered by it?
And finally, who won? (I have my opinion, but I want to see what you-all think!)
ps. the JZ story sums up a few points, if you can get past the typo in the headline.

October 13

At about 5 p.m. a 14-year-old boy was shot in a drive-by at Frederick Douglass High School.

The eight-year-old with the loaded gun was charged with gun possession, which he'll serve under house arrest with his mom.

A man was shot to death last night in Seton Hill on the 600 block of W. Franklin Street (≤218).

A NE Baltimore woman claims she was abducted on Light Street Monday, taken to PGC, drugged and raped.

A man found in a burning apartment on the 1000 block of St. Paul Street Wednesday night was beaten before he was burned.

A suspect was shot in the NW after trying to run down an officer.

Vernon Evans' lawyer: greater care should be taken not to hire dog-poisioners as executioners. Because there are so many well-adjusted people who want the job.

Yesterday, in Rod vs. the Trout-Saving Gang, Shorty snitched on Casper and Pony.

The Court of Appeals ruled that Ehrlich can't cut off health benefits to immigrant children <- subscription req'd.

Hookers, sharpen your stilettos ... the American Bar Association Young Lawyers' Division will be conferring from Oct. 19-21 at the Marriott Waterfront.

Last Friday the family of Amanda Smith won a $675k wrongful-death suit against GBMC.

Robbing the pizza-delivery guy is popular pastime in the Northwest burbs.

James M. Thomas, 29, of Glen Burnie, left, was charged with sexually assaulting two young relatives nine years ago.

George A. Reigel of Reisterstown pled guilty in Federal court to possession of child pornography and two twentysomething Bowie women got twentysomething months in prison after stealing an old lady's identity.

Bad news, Galt: you're going to have to live in Baltimore for two more years. Maybe take up smoking?
Jeezmcrow!!: white women live 13½ years longer than black men!

Political BS Dept.
According to the Examiner, governor "blasted" the O'M for "unconstitutional" "mass arrests." (Oddly, the interview is not up on the WBAL web site, so there's no way to put the remarks in context). But assuming this was a recent interview ... how long have we had a high arrest rate-- one year? Two? He just now felt this worthy of comment?

"If you knew that Martin O'Malley wears a toupee, is attracted to little boys and tortures animals, would you still vote for him?" (TG for caller ID!)

I don't care which bozo wins this election, I just want it over so I don't have to hear this shite anymore!

October 12

An eight-year-old brought a .22 to Grove Park Elementary and discharged it accidentally. No one was hurt, TG.

In Oakland CA, possession of David Simon's "Homicide" is being used as evidence against Hans Reiser, accused of killing his wife Nina (you'd think the blood would be enough).

Interesting announcement from the Sa's office:

In a coordinated partnership, involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, police, prosecutors and law enforcement agents, including parole and probation agents will speak directly to offenders from the Northern Police Precinct areas regarding violent crimes TONIGHT AT 6 P.M. This call-in of offenders is an opportunity for law enforcement and the community to speak directly to known perpetrators of crime with a joint request to end the violence and seek community assistance. MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE FACE TO FACE MEETING BUT CAMERAS ARE RESTRICTED AND MUST REMAIN OUTSIDE THE BUILDING. This iniative continues the operation safe neighborhoods launched by State's Attorney's Jessamy and the community in 2002 ... Northern Police District is located at Keswick and 34th Streets.

A Baltimore jury found Dameon Woods guilty of second-degree murder, depraved heart (?), first degree assault and second degree assault in the murder of Raymond Smoot. Judge Glynn revoked Woods' bail. James Hatcher was found not guilty on all charges. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12.

Jobrea Lodge pled guilty to attempted first degree murder today. He received 20 years and 5 years' probation. He also pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous and deadly weapon. For that he received 20 concurrent (aka "why bother") years. Sherray Douglas, alias Brittany Johnson, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous and deadly weapon. She received 12 years and 5 years probation. Douglas lured Detective Dontae Hemmingway to Wilgrey Court for a meeting; Hemmingway believed that he was meeting someone else. When he arrived and walked onto the porch of the address, Jobrea Lodge pulled a gun and told Detective Hemmingway to "kick it out," (whatever that means). Detective Hemmingway reached for his gun, and Lodge shot him three times. Lodge was shot once in the leg. After witnesses identified Lodge and Douglas, both were arrested and confessed.

A 14-year-old girl was stabbed with a 10-inch kitchen knife at Pimlico middle school.

Two brothers, Tavon Tyner and Dante Tyner, are being sought for murder in the death of Darrell Artis (186) on McClean Blvd.

ME Dr. David Fowler: the rumors of a NW serial killer are false. Comapre to this Examiner story from Tuesday. Did Janis even try to call the ME's office?

The Vernon Evans death-row appeal goes on.

"Ladies, ladies!" Julie B reports on the "biting exchange" at the CJCC.
Ps., looked up Leonard N. Garrett. He was due for court in HoCo on the 5th for a "marihuana" charge. In May another drug case was nolle prosequi'd. In July an assault charge was nolle prosequi'd. In April of last year his Cadillac was forfeited. In 2004 he was arrested for having a gun in his car. In December of 2001 he forfeited bond posted by the Lexington insurance group. His wife Geraldine sued him for divorce. And there were a lot of traffic violations. Not a model citizen, but not the worst-of-the-worst, either.

Rose Peterson and Skinny Suge's trials were both postponed.

Two shootings in AAC, one fatal (#7 for Annapolis), one not (even though guy was shot in the stomach and dragged by a car).

Ew. A WiCo football coach, David Lee, was arrested on child porn charges. Dude was posing as a 14-year-old boy on MySpace, which must be like amazon.com for pedophiles.

October 11 nuit

From Free State Politics: the governor has offered a stay of execution to ... a raccoon.

Holabird Elementary in Southeast Baltimore was on lockdown after a man was shot nearby.

Dept. of Duh: executioners have mental problems.

George F. Spicka, 59, of Woodlawn was charged Wednesday with e-mailing two bomb threats to BWI.

Police: girl grudges last for years.

Edward Hoffman, 75, of Elkton pled guilty to shooting and killing his 72-year-old wife Jane.

Henry Barrington of Leonardtown plead guilty to felony child abuse.

CJCC: Flying Fur Alert!

Almost didn't go to CJCC, but then I heard the rumor that O'Malley himself was going to appear and "yell at everyone," potentially too exciting a spectacle to miss. Sadly (but unsurprisingly) the Big Man never showed, but reporters anticipating flying fur weren't let down.

Hamm noted the increase in murders and said they were "attributable to gang activity ... it's the same guys we've been arresting year after year, they'r ejust putting Blood or Crip in front of the name." He noted there are six outstanding warrants for four murders and that the wanted men had been arrested more than eight times, that murderers are getting younger and that 15-year-old Zachary James was thought to be resposible for four murders. Any questions?

Sheila Dixon had a question: "the murder victim in Leakin Park [Leonard Garrett] had been arrested more than 18 times and was awaiting arrest when he was murdered. Why was this guy out? He'd been on probation three times, why was this guy out? Can anyone help me out here?"

Jessamy jumped right in: "Sheila, if you were really interested, you could research this case. Arrests are made but in order to secure a conviction you must have evidence ... you brought it up here because you wanted to make a public statement. If you want an answer, call me!"

Bickering ensued, broken up by Judge Glynn. "Anyone could look it up, I doubt anyone knows the facts of the case off the top of their heads."

Frank Conaway had a question for Hamm: "At a previous meeting I asked you about the Jayne Miller investigation and if the unreported crimes were troubling to you. Now that there's been a spike, is that troubling you?"
"Yes," Hamm replied peevishly.

Then Jessamy talked about gaps in city substance abuse services.
Then some guy got up to talk about a $1.4 million DOJ grant for creating a statewide domestic violence database.
Apparently the state was given millions to create a database after Richard Spicknall II killed his kids, but nothing every came of it and the state still has 56 different databases for restraining orders and the like.
And so the meeing wrapped up.

October 11

A 15-year-old boy was shot in the head in Pikesville.
Monday's murder victim (217) was ID'd as 22-year-old Donnie Blanding.

Nursing assistant and paramedic: we can kill Vernon Evans!

Violence is up in Federal Hill; a resident videotaped Southern High students beating a 73-year-old man, breaking his jaw. ("Digital Harbor High"?)

Deborah Jean Palfrey of Vallejo (pronouced "valet ho") CA, allegedly ran a Baltimore-based escort service, evaded taxes and laundered money. And still found time to win a preservation merit award for work on her historic home.

Four employees of the Newcare Pharmacy were indicted for selling more than $20 million worth of Vicodin.

A former CP freelancer is headed to the federal pen for helping burn down a building at the University of Washington.

City health department: Hampden needs needle exchange.

Joseph Schroen, a volunteer firefighter charged with arson, once set a high school classmate on fire.

Dirty old Dean M. Trout of CaCo, charged with sexually abusing a girl in May, was arrested again and charged with abusing three other girls.

Stolen cars, purses, computers in the Messenger crime log.

A HarfCo deputy found $50k's worth of stolen clothes, perfume and shoes during a routine traffic stop.

The CEO of BCSB, Gary Loraditch, resigned after the bank lost $7 million in a check-kiting scam.

Politiques:
What the?! Is the O'Malley campaign brainwashing children in Govans?

October 10 evening

Screw the honor system! Inmate Antoinio Rice (assuming NOT of the crime family) walked out of the Towson Detention Center last Thursday.

Panel: Ehrlich's firing of employees violated state law, constitution. But wasn't illegal. Huh?

No verdict yet in the Smoot case. The jury deliberations ended at 4:30 today and will resume tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

Assistant State's Attorney (ASA) Gerard B. Volatile today entered a nol pros in the second-degree assault case filed against Thomas B. "Mike" Miller that alleged the assault of Leo Bruso on September 20, 2006 during a County Council hearing on Bill 75. The hearing today was held in the Prince George's County District Court in Upper Marlboro.

A trial for Rodney Thomas aka Skinny Suge, 35, of Edmondson Avenue, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Welch. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Thomas May 1, 2006 for first-degree assault; court documents allege that on February 13 following an argument Thomas assaulted an employee of the USA Boutique in Mondawmin Mall striking him/her about the head. The victim also sustained a chipped bottom tooth, black eye, busted lip and a fractured nose from the attack.

The witness intimidation trial of mother of the year Rose Peterson, 36, is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge John M. Glynn, 236 Mitchell Courthouse, 110 N. Calvert St. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Peterson February 15 for witness intimidation, obstruction of justice, assault and misconduct in office. Court documents allege that on January 23, 2006 Peterson, who was working as a correctional officer at the Central Booking Intake Facility (CBIF), did by corrupt means/threat/force obstruct and impede/endeavor to obstruct and impede the administration of justice. It is further alleged that the victim, an inmate at CBIF, is a witness in a pending murder trial.

A transfer hearing is scheduled for Damon Holmes, 15, of Old Harford Road, for 9:30 tomorrow morning before Judge Albert J. Matricciani, Jr. The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Holmes June 26 for first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon. Court documents allege on May 31 Holmes shot and killed Oumar Bah, 28, in the 7100 block of McClean Blvd. Bah was a cab operator who had picked up Holmes on Northern Parkway.

October 10

An unid'd man was found shot to death in a parked car in the Northwest (217).

"Flare-ups in crime have occurred across the city, but have spiked mainly in neighborhoods in the eastern, southern and northwestern parts of Baltimore ... The Eastern District has seen a 30 percent increase in homicides. The Southern District has had a 9 percent increase in shootings and a 17 percent increase in killings. The Northwestern District has had a 62 percent spike in shootings, a 12 percent increase in robberies and 24 percent in slayings."

By the way, two people were murdered six days ago (215-16). The deaths of Herbert Betz of Pasadena and Sean Dill of the Eastern are relegated to the blotter.
There's also a lot of carjacking going on.

The E covers the persistent rumors that there's a serial killer at work in the Northwest and brutal murders are going unreported.

Brandon Rusin of PGC shot and killed his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend.

Sad: Alzheimer's-stricken Nevolia Duvall is still missing.

Two students were robbed at gunpoint at TU. Yawn.

NAACP reps and a group called Justice Maryland want to meet with prison officials to talk about jailhouse violence. Meanwhile, Smoot jurors are still deliberating (as far as I know).

We could have told you that: "O'Malley has a lot of convincing to do, and within his own party."

$30k? Geez, that's like 700 bras!

October 9

WBAL: Leonard Nathaniel Garrett was found shot to death in "Lincoln" Park (they probably mean Leakin Park?). (<214)

Liz says there was a dead body at 26th and Miles in Remington.

Another violent weekend in Bumberg. Eight people ... wait, 9... no, 10... were shot over the weekend in the South and NW.

Stephon Nicholson, 19, was stabbed to death at the detention center, and Kevon Gantt, 19, was stabbed also.

A horribly depressing father-son murder-suicide in Gaithersburg.

bad guys arrested over the weekend:
An armed man in a stolen car was arrested Friday in the wilderness of White Marsh.

The teenager who was shooting kids with a BB gun at Pikesville High was arrested.

In MoCo two (suspected) MS-13 members, Roberto Moreno, 25, and Dimas I. Castillo, 27, were arrested for a stabbing in Gaithersburg.

AAC police arrested Williams Ludlow, who robbed a cab and left his ID, social security card and paycheck in the back seat.

Ed Norris wants a presidential pardon. Meanwhile, former commish Kevin Clark wants a state legislative committee to look into the legality of his O'firing.

Ehrlich collected the police union endorsement Friday.

Anybody read this week's NYker article about prison escape artist Richard McNair? Here's a link to the dash-cam video of the last sighting of the slippery sociopath.

october 6

Shanda Harris' bail rewiew was set for 11:00 a.m. today at Central Booking. She is in the 5th group. A court commissioner set her bail at $100,000 yesterday.

Away for the weekend: visit Galt's Baltimore b!

October 5 evening

Closing arguments were heard in the Smoot case.

Prosecutors and police today announced that they have concluded a two-month child-welfare investigation that followed the death of 11-year old Irvin Harris on July 28. As a result of a joint investigation with detectives of the Child Abuse Unit of the Baltimore Police Department, and other child welfare agencies, prosecutors in the Felony Family Violence Division and detectives today filed charges against Shanda Harris, 41, of Lawnview Road, Belair-Edison, mother of Irvin Harris, alleging that Harris failed to take appropriate action to keep convicted child sex offender Melvin Jones away from her children. Shanda Harris was arrested today and charged with the following crimes:

• 1 count of Reckless Endangerment, maximum penalty, five years;
• Four Counts of Contribute to CINA status, Maryland's version of a criminal neglect charge maximum penalty, three years.

The maximum penalty that Harris could receive is 14 years of incarceration.

Why not to live on the first floor: a Peeping Tom is afoot in the Riderwood area of the county.

Students protested against Towson U, which fired an orthodox Jewish guy supposedly because wanted off for jewish holidays.

October 5

Remember that fight at the Inner Harbor on July 4? Turns out it was a show of force by the Blood set called the L-Gang, and an officer was struck on the back of the head: a VERY different story than the Police and Mayor's office has been telling the public for four months.

Murders 212 and 213 are unidentified men, one died on the 1200 N. Luzerne Avenue, the other on the 1000 block of Bristol Place.

Danielle Riley, the former Villa Julie student accused of killing her newborn, admitted to second-degree murder in the county yesterday.

The widow of Marvin Ferguson (208) talked to Richard Sher. Ferguson was killed by his crazed neighbor Bill Horne on the 3800 block of Lyndale Avenue.

More on the dismissal of Nathan Colbert's murder charges. He was the third officer charged in the Smoot stomping. Kane: officers don't believe in justice, "just us." (groan)

Another officer has been arrested for burning a car for the insurance money. Terre N. Shields, 28, and her special friend Rashad J. Brooks, 29, were arrested on charges that they set her 2002 Acura SUV on fire.

TG no one was killed on 83 by this recidivist drunk-driving football player. Dick.

What's up with Howard County? Domestic violence incidents for one thing.
But it's all relative-- Howard County's population is about 270,000. Baltimore City, pop. 650k, got 26,000 domestic violence calls and arrested 5,300 people for incidents in 2005).

Dept. of Entertainment and Politics:
House Speaker Dennis Hastert: "The people who want to see [the Mark Foley scandal] blow up are ABC News and a lot of Democratic operatives, people funded by George Soros."
Gingrich: Democrats have "stench of hypocrisy."

Tamara Dobson, aka Cleopatra Jones, ten miles of bad road for every town, has died of MS.

JZ will air the Debate for Governor debate Monday October 16 at 7 p.m., the same night demonstators will be protesting arrest practices at City Hall.

I just discovered the Baltimore Chronicle. Shouldn't sources this politically biased have some kind of a warning label? Do I need to start putting little flags next to links? Remember kids, you never can tell who's who on the Internets!

Spekaing of labels, this Examiner self-reportage deserves a little tooting bugle, or maybe a spanked monkey.
Is newspapers reporting on newspapers reporting or blogs reporting about newspapers news? I smell a poll question...

October 4

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Zachary James, 15, of the 4200 block of Towanda Avenue, for first-degree murder. Court documents allege on July 16 a black male known as "ZACK" was responsible for the murder of Richard Smith. Mr. Smith was found with a gunshot wound to the head in the 3600 block of Cottage Avenue and was pronounced deceased at Sinai Hospital the same day. Mr. James was also indicted September 20 for the first-degree murder of Michael Freeman. An arraignment for both cases is scheduled for October 18, 2006 before Judge Gale Rasin, Room 509 Courthouse East. Fifteen juveniles have been charged with murder so far this year, all but one has been charged as an adult.

The defense and prosecution have rested in the Smoot case, closing arguements are due tomorrow.
This afternoon Judge John M. Glynn granted a defense motion to dismiss all charges against Nathan D. Colbert.
Jury instruction and closing arguments in the matter of State vs. Dameon Woods and James L. Hatcher are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in room 203 Mitchell.
Courthouse speculation is the guards will get off, as the witnesses changed their statements multiple times.

Finally, three days after the fact, the S "covers" the shooting of 16-year-old Bernard Davis of the 1600 block of Castle Street in an exceptionally detailed 200-word feature.
Davis is the 19th juvenile killed this year.
Another boy was also shot during the incident but survived.

Ink: Last week was exceptionally violent, with 10 murders .
Andrew Jackson, 26; Davon Sampson, 18; Janice Letmate, 67; Lateef Chase, 25; Sultan Z. Matthews, 19; Gary Nelson, 47; Lamont Brown, 20; and Jamelle (sp?) Carter, 18, have left the building.
Also excpetional: the Sun wrote something about all 10 murders.
Is someone in editorial attempting to change the error of the paper's status-quo-loving ways?
What's next, humanizing these people with a hint of a detail of their lives?
Two hundred and fifty words, maybe?

Students were shot with a BB gun outside of Pikesville High.

Twenty-five pounds of pot was seized in Laurel.

Media coverage helped in the arrest of David Fernando Garcia for rape in Elkridge.

Five months after the death of Rey Rivera, the blog still gets multiple hits a day from all over the country for keywords related; evidently a lot of people don't believe his death was suicide.

Politiques:
The Gazette newspapers have endorsed Ehrlich.

O'Malley's people, via the Baltimore Chronicle, say Ehrlich refuses to debate.

Smug Sexism Dept.

Nothing like stepping to the 'puter to find out your worst suspicions about the media have come true.
If, like me, you ever wondered idly, "what's more printable to the Sun, beauty gossip or, say, a powerful Democratic Delegate making serious accusations of abuse of power by a Democratic candidate for governor in an election month?" all of our nightmares have come true.
So Jill just exaggerated when she said the Sun erased her for criticizing the powers-that-be... she's not totally erased yet, they'll still put her in .... to be condescended to!
Where'd the rest of the post go?