June 7

Interview-room sex! Bleached hair! Flesh-colored lips! Tiffany Weaver goes free!

At a hearing today, Hector Manzueta, 26, of the 1400 block of Anglesea Street in Southeast Baltimore’s Medford neighborhood, pled guilty to second-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Judge Wanda K. Heard sentenced Manzueta to 30 years in prison for the murder count and a concurrent 20 year prison term for the handgun count. On June 19, 2006 Manzueta shot Katiria De La Cruz, 24, once in the face after she tried to end her relationship with him. Manzueta then turned the gun on himself in an attempt to kill himself. Despite shooting himself in the head, Manzueta survived. Police found the two in his apartment after Manzueta called a member of the family and confessed to what he had done. Those family members, in turn, contacted the Baltimore Police Department and lead the officers to Manzueta’s apartment. Police found Mrs. De La Cruz partially disrobed lying in a pool of blood on a mattress. They recovered the murder weapon – a 9 MM semi-automatic handgun – covered in blood just a short distance away on the floor. Assistant State’s Attorney E. Wesley Adams of the Homicide Division prosecuted the case.

The Grand Jury indicted Anthony Monroe, 28, of the 1500 block of E. 29th Street for first-degree murder and other charges; court documents allege on January 20, 2007 Anthony Monroe was identified as the person last seen with Milan Andrew Walker, 30, seated in a vehicle in the 1000 block of E. Baltimore Street and that witnesses heard gunshots and saw Walker falling out of the vehicle onto the pavement and the vehicle leaving the scene. Walker later died that day at Johns Hopkins Hospital. An arraignment is scheduled for July 3.

An ongoing DEA investigation has led to 20 people being charged for drug-related crimes.

What the?! "A Baltimore County police officer was hospitalized this morning after a man walking near an elementary school in Essex tossed paint thinner in his face."

Eagle: "A Dundalk Avenue townhouse that was the site of a shooting three weeks ago was severely damaged in a two-alarm fire Tuesday. Earlier this week, it was unclear whether the two incidents were related."

Somebody found a body in the Patapsco river.

The Hamm on his plan to have the city's 42 homicide detectives schlepping beats "we’re getting some push-back from our detectives and rightly so ... Whenever you do something new or different, you’re going to get push-back. But I worked homicide. I know our detectives, when they want to work a ballgame [while off-duty], they will put that uniform on and work. If they can do it then, they can do it now."
Nice 'tude!

Blotteratta: A man was stabbed in the torso in the 2700 block of Pennsylvania Ave,; a six-year-old Hyundai was carjacked; police recovered 25 capsules of heroin and nearly $4,500 in cash.

More details on the road rage killing of cab driver Ghulam Mustafa (left).

Two bank robbers are being sought in AAC.

Prince George's County school board member Nathaniel Thomas resigned the day after a grand jury indicted him over an alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old. He's also accused of having inappropriate relationships with two other students.

Keith Ray, the man behind last summer's "one-man crime wave" in the Northern, got 50 years in prison.

Verbena Harris, the mother of a mentally troubled man who died in state custody, has filed a $2 million lawsuit following his overdose on prescription medication given to him at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

The city's plan to make a "superblock" on the West side is being derailed by the owner of New York Fashions, who refuses to move.

Hey, you in the 'burbs... you might get murdered too. But don't let it get you down.

In AAC, Marley Middle School was put on lockdown after a child was seen with a gun.

Evening

This city is looking for:
- Someone in a "dark colored car" who shot Yellow cab driver Mustafa Ghulam on 28th and Maryland.
- a Hagtown murder suspect who frequents Baltimore, one 26-year-old Stephen Lamar Urquhart (left).

Slacking landlords:lead paint fines are getting handed out left n right.

And is in need of: financial responsibility like Baltimore County's.

While drug dealers should heed online-only NY Magazine's insights on drug-dealing profits: "Sell to many users in small quantities. 'It’s like taking a pound of coffee and selling one grain at a time ... If you sell by scoops, you’ll make a couple thousand dollars, but if you break it down into quarter grams and work for a few days, you’ll make tens of thousands.'”
or, one could concentrate on one's "social capital."

At Least 5 Years for Canton Cops-Robber

At a hearing today, Jean Sierra, 21, of Owings Mills pled guilty to two counts of armed robbery, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and attempted armed robbery. On January 16, 2007 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sierra robbed a group of three off-duty law enforcement officers (in town the funeral of Officer Troy Chesley) in the 2800 block of O’Donnell Street. Police responded and searched the area and detained Sierra, who was then identified by the victims. Judge Glynn sentenced Sierra to 20 years in prison suspending all but eight years, the first five years without parole for armed robbery and the handgun count and concurrent 20 years suspend all but eight years in prison terms for the second armed robbery and attempted armed robbery counts.

Next!

When asked who would make a good replacement for Commissioner Hamm, Ed Norris suggested "the police chief who got thrown under the bus after Katrina," aka former New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass.
Who do you think should be the next Commissioner?
And when do you think Hamm will resign-- if ever?

June 6

A jailhouse search after the Muslim/Bloods prison riot uncovered 80 weapons.

At a hearing late today Keith Ray, 37, of the 4000 block of Rexmere Road, pled guilty to a total of 13 counts of armed carjacking, armed robbery and related charges. Judge Wanda K. Heard sentenced Ray to a total of 50 years in prison. Ray was responsible for several robberies and carjackings over a two month period in June and July 2006. Ray's crime spree galvanized the neighborhoods where they took place and many victims cooperated with law enforcement. The teamwork of community, police and prosecutors resulted in many victims willing to testify against Ray if this case had gone to trial. Many were present in court this afternoon to offer victim impact statements.

A cabbie was shot and killed in Charles Village last night during a road rage incident.

Luke Broadwater and the Examiner look back at the deadliest month of the year (so far).

Twelve murders and a bunch of updates in this week's "Murder Ink," and the updated map.

Gus G. Sentementes interviews the parents of the four-year-old boy who was hit by a stray bullet yesterday afternoon in the 2200 block of Corona Ct. in the Northeastern.

The 30-year-old who was killed in "CHUM" yesterday morning has been identified as Tyrone Willie Bonner.

An 18-year-old woman was stabbed by three other women on Sunday night as she was walking to a friend's house in Edgewood.

A house that burned in Dundalk yesterday is owned by a man who was shot by his wife's alleged boyfriend.

A 16-year-old in St. Mary's offered a free pickup truck to anyone who would kill his mother and stepfather.

Jacqueline Simmons is charged with a hit-and-run that injured three children and a teenager at a Charles County school bus stop. Simmons claimed she was on her way to a methadone clinic.

You've gotta love these multi-page editions of the Blotter:

• Page 1: two drug arrests at Lafayette Market and a 35-year-old man who was shot while sitting on a stoop in the Eastern.
• Page 2: A double shooting in the Northwestern, a carjacking and a shooting in the Southern, two separate shootings in the Southwestern, a stabbing and a shooting in the Western, and a 60-year-old woman robbed in the Southern.
• Page 3: A 17-year-old was thrown to the ground and robbed in Essex, and Dunkin Donuts was robbed in Cockeysville.

And that's just a small fraction of what Richard Irwin covered for us today.

Due to an error by a federal judge in Baltimore, Solomon Levi Jones got his drug conspiracy sentence reduced from from 60 years to about 21 years.

Despite his dependence on heroin and a felonious mother, David Burton got 70 years for stabbing Denny's manager Michael Fredrick 32 times during a robbery last year.

Hey, Lenny: More homicide investigators might help close more homicide cases.

A headline in the Sun plays on fears about MS-13 in Maryland, but one sentence at the end of the article paints a slightly different picture: "A recent estimate by Baltimore police put the number of known or suspected gang members at 2,600, including 400 Bloods, 100 Crips and a few dozen members of MS-13."

Looks like there are a bunch of future city politicians employed by the city school system.

June 5

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Deontae Carter, 23, of the 2800 block of Violet Avenue today on first-degree murder and other charges. On April 6, 2006 Deontae Carter was identified as the person responsible for a shooting incident in the 2000 block of North Longwood Street. Curtis Mitchell, 19, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in a rowhouse in the unit block. Mitchell died later the same day from his injuries at University of Maryland Shock Trauma. llegedly on May 6, 2006 an investigation revealed the handgun retrieved from the defendant on an unrelated handgun charge matched the gun used in the shooting incident of Curtis Mitchell. An arraignment is scheduled for July 12, 2007 before Judge Wanda K. Heard, Room 550, Courthouse East. Assistant State’s Attorney Don Giblin will prosecute this case.

“Baby girl, I’ll bring my hose out front so you can spray it off. ”
... Anger Hangover reports on a girl shot in the leg last Friday night in Pigtown. Plus an update.

Capt'n Mike Perry hovers above where a four-year-old was shot in the leg and police are seeking a suspect around the 2200 block of Corona Court near the NE county line.

A 30-year-old man was fatally shot and died at 12:33 this morning in the 1700 block of E. 30 St. in the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello ("CHUM") neighborhood.

Police and family fear that Shirley Cooper (who, they say, was 72, not 78, and lived "in the historic Temple Gardens apartment building at 2601 Madison Avenue," not Madison Street) was stabbed to death by someone she knew.

Blotterania:

• "Police identified yesterday John Drew, 26, of the 2400 block of W. Lexington St., as the man shot about 1 a.m. May 30 near his home by an unknown gunman."
• A Dundalker was stabbed in the stomach
• County drunks assaulted an officer at Mother's Grille
• A 14-year-old boy was hit on the head with a bottle
...and lots of robbery, burglary and theft

The Sun has a local crime story on the front page: "Death on the Streets" about the 2006 UCR numbers. Also, Dixon's floundering plans, and what other candidates have to say about the "crime issue."

Dept of Irony: "The Postponement Subcommittee" gets 'er done!

... Newsflash...Scooter Libby just got 2 1/2 years in jail for his role in outing spy Valerie Plame.
The Post's story includes an entertaining sidebar of other high-level government-official sentences for bilking, lying and obstructing.

June 5

Many of the 41 Sun employees who took the most recent buyout enjoyed their last day Friday and have now left the building; more layoffs are possible.

A Wicomico County Grand Jury on Monday indicted Tracy Ross Sparpaglione, a recently fired Salisbury police officer accused of raping a woman he arrested late last month.

June 4

At a hearing today, Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Simmeon Anderson, 31, of the 2800 block of Hollins Ferry Road, to a total of 50 years in prison: 25 years for first-degree assault, 20 for use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and five without parole for being a felon in possession of a handgun. Judge Themelis also sentenced Anderson to a concurrent six-year prison term for solicitation to commit murder. On March 23, 2007 a Baltimore City jury convicted Anderson of two counts of first degree assault, two counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of reckless endangerment and one count each of felon in possession of a handgun and wear/carry/transport a handgun. Anderson pled guilty March 26, 2007 to solicitation to commit murder. On September 12, 2000 Anderson pulled Derrick and his aunt Lisa Kittrell out of a vehicle in the 1600 block of Olmstead Street and shot Derrick Kittrell, Lisa Kittrell, was not harmed. This case was tried once before, in 2004, and a mistrial was declared. It has been postponed 27 times until last March’s trial and was the oldest pending trial in Baltimore Circuit Court.

The BCGJ indicted Kennis Lambert, 17, of the 6200 block of Alumure Way for first-degree murder, court documents allege on April 29, 2007 Lambert was identified as the person responsible for a shooting incident in the 6200 block of Elliott Street. Azerwoine Walker, 30, was found suffering from a gunshot wound and transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, he died later the same day of his injuries [#88]. An arraignment is scheduled for July 2, 2007 before Judge Glynn.

Curtis Alexander, 28, was found shot in the 1900 block of W. Lanvale St. about 10 a.m. Sunday by a Western District police officer responding to a report of shots fired.

Judge John M. Glynn sentenced Dale Fauntleroy, 22, of the 2500 block of Woodbrook Ave. to 35 years in prison, 20 years for conspiracy to commit robbery and a consecutive 15 years in prison for armed robbery. A Baltimore City jury convicted Fauntleroy February 1, 2007 of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery with a deadly weapon. Judge Glynn gave him the maximum possible prison term today. On January 9, 2006 a City jury acquitted Fauntleroy of armed robbery and handgun counts and hung on the remaining counts that prosecutors retried in February. On October 29, 2004 Fauntleroy attempted to rob an off-duty Mass Transit Police Officer with an unknown caliber handgun while they were both inside a Chinese Food Carry-Out in the 2700 block of Pennsylvania Ave. Police shot Fauntleroy twice as he fled the robbery scene.

"A police search of a common hiding place for drugs -- between the cheeks of the buttocks -- needs to be done as privately as possible to be considered legal, even if a suspect is wearing very low-hanging pants, said the CSA in a ruling that invalidated a search of a Fallston man "done in the presence of his friends at a deserted car wash."

Speaking of ... things transportational, MO'M Marcus L. Brown, formerly Hamm's #2, says he's pumped to patrol 83, as commanded by his arm patch.

Ew, County police arrested the already-registered-sex-offender at right for raping a 12-year-old on a camping trip near Bengie's Drive-In.

Thanks to Galt for posting the latest FBI numbers. It's official, our population went down ... but murders and car thefts went up!

June 3

Shirley Cooper, 72, was found stabbed to death yesterday in her apartment in the 2600 block of Madison Ave near Druid Hill Park.

David Elijah Washington was fatally shot early Saturday morning in an alley near his home on Violet Ave.

A man was critically injured in a triple shooting in the 2100 block of Sherwood Ave. in the Northeast on Friday afternoon. Homicide detectives are investigating.

Jada Gordon, 1, and Jerrell Wise, 3, who'd been missing from Cherry Hill since Wednesday have been found, but police are still looking for Tyronda Smith-Carroll, the 14-year-old girl who was taking care of them when they were reported missing.

Crime scene video from the stabbing of 57-year-old Karen Harris, who was stabbed in the back last Sunday afternoon during a robbery in the 2600 block of St. Paul St. in Charles Village. George T. Dyson was charged in the attack; he was charged with a similar attack in 2004, but did not serve time because of a mental disorder that prevented him from being found criminally responsible.

Gary Singley, age 40, of Baltimore was sentenced Friday to 167 months (almost 14 years) in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. "A cooperator in the case purchased more than 50 grams of crack cocaine from Singley through Keith Richardson ... Richardson pleaded guilty to drug charges and was sentenced to over 10 years in prison [in] 2005."

PGC MS-13 member Edgar Alberto Ayala got 35 years for racketeering.

The fight at the Metropolitan Transition Center was apparently between two rival gangs. Fortunately, the situation was not a riot, because a "riot is when you lose control of a prison."

Completely unrelated to the story above, two Jessup inmates attacked each other with homemade knives on Saturday. Meanwhile, all prison classes on making homemade knives have been temporarily suspended.

Related to the above story, there's a neat timeline detailing the history of violence at the Maryland Pen.

Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Cavanaugh, as quoted during the double murder trial of "Six" Sowers: "With all due respect, ma'am, a mistake is when you miscount your change, not when you murder two people." Sowers got 100 years.

Two students -- one of them a 16-year-old freshman -- at Milford Mill Academy beat and tried to rob a 15-year-old student.

Racist arsonists (or maybe arsonist racists?) destroyed a portable classroom at Perryville High School on Friday morning.

Murderous perv du jour: Frank Portanova allegedly tried to hire a hit man to kill the 11-year-old boy he allegedly molested. The boy's mother was targeted also.

James Abu Bangura and Dartanion Antwon Wallace got a bunch of prison time for robbing a bunch of banks.

A panel has found that two fire department officials should be canned for mistakes that contributed to the February death of trainee Rachael Wilson.

Gregory Kane seems to think wannabe HoCo escapee Brandon T. Morris is a bit short-sighted.

June 1

At least seven 18 people were stabbed at the jail on Forrest Street.

Federal prosecutors are furious about www.whosarat.com.

Hamm: "We understand now we need help.” Transportation authority and transit administration police will patrol part of 295, and Hamm hopes state police will patrol the city's four-mile stretch of 83.

Sobering stats: "Baltimore may still be losing population, but one group of people floods the city each year: Ex-offenders. About 8,600 of them ... That’s more than 1 percent of the city’s population."

Duane Tyvon Elkerson, 29, of the 7100 block of Burford Court, pled guilty to second-degree murder and attempted first degree-murder; Judge John C. Themelis sentenced Elkerson to 25 years in prison, the entire first five of which must be served without parole. On July 20, 2006 Elkerson shot Antonio Alford, 22, in the 5500 block of Hadden Avenue. He later died of his injuries at Sinai Hospital. A second victim was also shot but survived his injuries.

Sean Graham of Rockville was convicted of participating in killing a group-home counselor and stuffing his body in a closet in Utah at the tender age of 17.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted Juanita Robinson, 27, of the 800 block of Bradhurst Road for first-degree murder. Court documents allege Juanita Robinson shot Andre McBride, 21, in the head in the 6600 Knottwood Court [#73] and that she is/was the victim’s girlfriend and the last person seen with him before the shooting incident. McBride died at Sinai hospital on March 31, 2007.

The BCGJ also indicted Damon Simpson, 16, of the 2800 block of W. Lafayette Street for first-degree murder and other charges. Court documents allege Damon Simpson is the suspect responsible for shooting Charles Hargrove [#65] multiple times in the 2600 block of Rayner Avenue, leading to his death on March 20, 2007.

Shocking Taser Deaths-- Law-enforcement sources told the Post that Marcus D. Skinner, who was electrocuted by tasers in PGC six days ago, was handcuffed while cops zapped him.
A Taser was also cited as a contributing factor in the death of Ryan Lee Meyers, who died March 18 after being stunned in the County, plus at least two other deaths in the state this year.

Neil B. Rather, 18, of the 2900 block of Garrison Blvd. was ID'd as the teenager fatally shot Tuesday afternoon in the 3400 block of Clifton Ave., plus, is "cutting" the new "stabbing"? in today's Blotter.

Brandon T. Morris, "accused of killing a correctional officer, kidnapping a hospital visitor and carjacking a taxi driver" caused a ruckus when he jumped out of his chair yesterday.

Animal control officials say there's been an increase in dogfighting, Sun rings words "culture," "sport" with quotemarks

Baltimore County Circuit Judge Lawrence Daniels just may be MD's only judge who lives in the courthouse.

Three Perverts
Case dismissed? Not for teacher: Kirsten Ann Kinley/ Kinely of HoCo was indicted and charged with sexual solicitation of a 15-year-old boy and third-degree sex offense charges. Whoa and hold up.. that's the second boy she's "been inappropriate" with! Guhross!!

Also foul: 76-year-old Kezia Twinkle(?!) McNeal was arrested in North Point for sexually abusing a five-year-old girl.

And, Navy mechanic Steven Diles, 42, of Annapolis now also has kid-porn charges after feds busted him trying to meet a make-believe 14-year-old he solicited on AIM.

Media
"Dow Jones & Co.'s 125-year history as an independent media company could be nearing an end," the Wally Jay's parent will most likely be sold to News Corp.

Media Landscape Redefined By 24-Second News Cycle

Standard & Poor's has upgraded the city's bond rating!

May 31: Political BS

Stop the presses, now Dixon's planning a plan: a "more focused" partnership between local and state law enforcement agencies. Could she be planning to ask O'Malley for some state troopers?

... frienemy Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is asking for 15 state troopers to help out in the city (baby steps!) and wants to spend $2 million of city reserve funds, plus some state cash, to recruit 140 teenagers, Southerners and Puerto Ricans to police positions (yes, that's more than $14k a recruit). (Other Council budget details here.)
The bad news: no mention of raising police pay to be on par with surrounding counties to help retain the recruits.
Fun Fact: City Council President will be ostensibly elected at the Sept. 11 Democratic primary. Rawlings-Blake will be opposed by City Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr. and political legacy Michael Sarbanes.
Olesker: "These candidates running today are the children of those who struggled through such tough times, and made it their life’s work to relegate it to the past. Maybe voters won’t care about race as much as character ... maybe the new generation of candidates will lead us to such a day." Yeah, maybe! Wait...race? Who's he talking about? Aren't all of the candidiates lightly browned?

MD State Police "Superintendent Colonel" Thomas Hutchins = out!
Hutchins was installed by Ehrlich in 2003 to replace Ed Norris; Baltimore County Police Chief Terrence Sheridan will replace Hutchins.

A letter from the ever-vivid Frank M. Conaway, Sr: "A river of blood is flowing through the streets of Baltimore. What are Baltimore’s leaders doing to stem the flow? Planting trees."

A stuffed deer head with a gold tooth and a mop on its head that looked like an afro was photo'd at the Station 33 fire house on E. 25th Street, someone then posted the image to a blog, an uproar allegedly thus ensued and someone at the NAACP was alerted, then someone called Mike Schuh, who turned it in to three minutes of your life that you'll never get back!

May 30

The Ink has updates to some cases, details of homicides 100-116.

GGS: "Three men two men were killed in separate incidents last night and early this morning, pushing the pace of homicides in Baltimore to an average of one a day in May."

• 1 a.m. 5/30: unidentified man, 2400 block of W. Lexington St., gunshot wounds to his chest
• 11 p.m. 5/29: unidentified man, 700 block of Denison St., south of Leakin Park ... scratch that


• 3 p.m. 5/29: unidentified man, parking lot at Clifton Avenue and Denison Street, north of Leakin Park

A man was shot in the side in the SW, a carjacking on Orleans on the East side, robbery, burglary, and, for contrast, a vandal driving on lawns in Cockeysville.

Bounty Hunter Blood Shaidon "Don Papa" Blake went on a small road trip after Federal Marshalls picked him up early for his Vegas trial. For whatever reason this put Jessamy's knickers in a megaknot: "she threatened to fly a judge, defense attorney and a prosecutor out to Nevada for a sentencing hearing if the federal agents wouldn't release him to Maryland." Fortunately for the ¢itizens, that won't be ne¢e$$ary. April 13, a

Baltimore jury convicted Shaidon Blake, of California, of second degree murder, Janet Johnson of 2000 block of Cecil Avenue of first degree murder and Jermile Harvey of the 1500 block of Lanvale Street of first degree murder. Each was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first degree murder. Sentencing is scheduled for May 29, 2007. Blake faces a maximum sentence of Life plus 30 years, Johnson faces maximum sentence of Life plus Life and Harvey faces Life plus Life.

At 6PM the evening of April 12, 2006, Baltimore City Police were called to the rear alley of the 1900 block of Division Street for a burning body. The investigation determined that the victim was Terrence “Sky” Randolph. Randolph was a member of the Bloods street gang and was killed for messing up the gang’s drug money. The Medical Examiner determined that the victim was strangled, asphyxiated, severely beaten and stabbed 39 times. The victim’s body was then burned. Homicide detectives determined that the murder took place in the basement of 1921 Division Street.

Defendant Shaidon “Don Poppa” Blake is a high ranking Bloods member sent to Baltimore from California to get local members “in line”. This was confirmed in an unrelated police interview of the nephew of prominent west coast rap producer/gangster Suge Knight. Blake told detectives that Baltimore is the heroin capital of the world and that he made over $180,000 selling it on the streets. Witnesses testified that Blake hit the victim with a sledgehammer. The witnesses further testified that co-defendants, Harvey and Johnson, cut the victim repeatedly with a box cutter. The testimony continued and revealed that Harvey retrieved a Ninja sword and that he and Johnson stabbed the victim in the neck twice.

Assistant State’s Attorney Brian M. Fish, of the Homicide Division, prosecuted this case.

PGC: Crazed suicidal son attacked mom with a "samurai" sword, sending her to Shock Trauma. Which reminds us, our juvenile justice system has gone totally Lord of the Flies. Could someone get on that? Thanks...

What Happened in Vegas?

TDR reports that Dixon's MO in Las Vegas was to met with reps from the sporting-goods store REI, and Target, reportedly already set to open a location in Mondawmin. The message = rich people live here:

The city has conducted its own research that often paints a better economic picture of Baltimore. For example, in late 2005, the Downtown Partnership conducted a study that showed that more than 3,100 households within a one-mile radius of downtown earned more than $75,000 per year. That compares to the $29,792 listed as the city’s median household income in 2004 by the U.S. Census.

(Hey, doesn't the picture of the city's booth logo make it look like a rowhouse on fire?)

Speaking of numbers, today's WSJ article about the Subprime Crisis is most appropriate to Baltimore and those who might attempt to escape it:

... beginning in the mid-1990s, the evolution of subprime lending from a local niche business to a global market drastically rearranged lenders' incentives. Instead of putting their own money at risk, mortgage lenders began reselling loans at a profit to Wall Street banks. The bankers, in turn, transformed a large chunk of the subprime loans into highly rated securities, which attracted investors from all over the world by paying a better return than other securities with the same rating. The investors cared much more about the broader qualities of the securities -- things like the average credit score and overall geographic distribution -- than exactly where and to whom the loans were being made.

In turn, the higher rate of homeownership encouraged businesses:

Suddenly, mortgage lenders saw places like [lower Charles Village, the West side, etc.] as attractive targets for new business, because so many families either owned their homes outright or owed much less on their mortgages than their homes were worth.

May 29

Judge Albert J. Matricciani, Jr. sentenced Tony Williams, 39, of the 800 block of Dartmouth Road, to life in prison plus five years this morning. On April 2, 2007 a Baltimore jury convicted Williams of first degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence; Judge Matricciani sentenced Williams to life in prison for the murder count and a consecutive five years in prison for the handgun count. Prosecutors proceeded with a new trial after the Court of Appeals vacated Williams’ 1999 conviction. A Baltimore City jury convicted Williams February 10, 1999 of first degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence for the death of Dana Rochelle Drake, 33, and Williams began serving a life plus 20 years prison term. On April 14, 2006 the Maryland Court of Appeals vacated Williams’ conviction, citing evidentiary issues regarding a discovery violation under the Brady law. The Court ruled that encompassing or exculpatory information known to any prosecutor in the State’s Attorney’s Office must be turned over to the defense. At issue in this case was a witness who was in jail with the defendant. The trial prosecutor in 1999 did not know, and therefore did not disclose, this witness was at one point in time a paid police informant.

On February 21, 1998 at approximately 4:30 a.m. Williams went to the apartment of Dana Drake, located at 800 Dartmouth Road and shot her once in the back of the head with a .22 caliber handgun. Evidence produced at trial showed Williams had purchased a .22 caliber handgun several weeks prior to this murder and testimony revealed Williams stood to receive $100,000 from a life insurance policy.

An unidentified 27-year-old man was shot to death 1:30 a.m. this morning in the 1600 block of Moreland Ave., just north of Easterwood Park.
(How can it be the 5th murder of the weekend if it's Tuesday?)

A man was shot in the foot, and "yesterday about 10:30 p.m., police said a gunman chased a 17-year-old male into Jemella's Liquors and Cut Rate store in the 1800 block of W. Mosher St., also in West Baltimore. A police spokesman said that as the teen huddled in a corner of the carryout, the gunman shot him in the back and in the back of the head," the victim is alive and in shock trauma.

Two days and 2 1/2 hours ago 19-year-old Davon Williams was shot to death in a minivan in the 5800 block of Waycross Road in Cedona.
"The violence came days after the Dixon administration announced the city would begin offering overtime to specific police units in coming weeks in an effort to halt the violence."
(Boner dept.- The Sun calls Williams' death "the latest in a spate of killings" ... then goes on to report two more-recent murders.)

Domestic violence killing in Middle River: A man with blood on his arms and his shirt stopped an officer about 9:30 a.m. Monday near a shopping center in the 2100 block of Eastern Boulevard; he'd apparently strangled 21-year-old Shukura Akilah Abdullah Aleem and then slashed his own wrists (poorly).

From CBS via reader "Mary" about how St. Tim's alum and CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier, who was seriously injured one year ago by a car bomb in Iraq that killed a cameraman and a soundman, will do a story on how doctors are trained for combat in Iraq at at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where Dozier was treated.

"I'll be doing a story on how "Maryland Shock Trauma is one of the three centers in the country that trains military surgeons, because Baltimore most resembles combat," Dozier said. "Baltimore, L.A., and Miami are the three places that they have these centers, because they have all sorts of trauma that comes through the door."

Stolen stuff in the Southeastern dominates the Blotter.

Brian Johnson, 31 was fatally shot in the 1600 block of Vincent Court in West Baltimore at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Amin Reed, 30, of no fixed address, was pronounced dead at 10:12 p.m. from a shot to the head, and

a homeless man was stabbed to death near city hall on the 200 block of N. Gay St.

In Charles Village, a woman was stabbed in the back repeatedly by a man who was trying to steal her purse at 2600 block of St. Paul St. in front of Margaret Brent Elementary School.

Shootings:
"A 28-year-old man was being treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital for injuries suffered after he was wounded in the lower back by birdshot" and "A 23-year-old man was standing at a bus stop in the 1200 block of W. North Ave. about 2:30 p.m. Friday when an unknown gunman fired several shots"

Politics:

Maybe that Franchot guy could look into Baltimore's mess of a budget, no?

Dixon's campgaign has $1 million.
(See poll below)

Dixon a Millionaire
Which mayorial rival had the best response? Frank Conaway Senior: "She wants to plant flowers, while people are getting their brains blown out." Andre Bundley: “For the last 30 years, big business has been directing the mayor’s agenda exclusively, while the people are being ignore[d]." Jason Williams, mayoral campaign manager for Keiffer Mitchell: "I’d like to know where the money is coming from ... Can someone verify it?"	Frank Conaway Senior Andre Bundley Keiffer Mitchell's guy
	Current Results

Memorial Day

There were Seven Baltimoreans Killed in Iraq since this time last year:
Casey Nash, 22, May 18
Jonathan V. Hamm, 20, West Baltimore, May 17
Jay E. Martin, 29, April 29
Marlon B. Harper, 34
Christopher O. Moudry, 31, October 4, 2006
Dwayne E. Williams, 28, August 26, 2006
Michael J. Potocki, 21, June 26, 2006

So if numbers are what matters... Baltimore really is more tragic. For Baltimoreans.

May 27

Sandtown's St. Gregory the Great collected 15 guns yesterday, several hours after an unidentified man was shot to death around the corner in the 1600 block of Vincent Ct.

14-year-old Keonya Christian-Cannon earns good grades, rarely misses school, has dozens of friends, and spent more than a month in the hospital recovering from a wound caused by a stray bullet.

The body of PG/Bangladeshi real estate agent Samuel D'Costa was found in the basement of his Bowie home, and his burned car was found a few miles away.

MoCo: the CSA recently overturned the conviction of a Rockville defense attorney Patrick J. Smith, found guilty of impersonating a Montgomery County sergeant to intimidate a state witness.

More Stupid Spending

While the city claims to not be able to afford the long-term payroll commitments that staffing the police department requires, Dixon has been able to increase the payroll of the mayor's office by nearly 15 percent since taking office in January.

May 26 Continued

Shaun Clarance Warrick, 23, a former basketball player at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore accused of shooting and/or stabbing three fellow students at off-campus housing communities in April, is in even bigger trouble after skipping a court appearance Friday for assault and burglary.

Fifty-year-old Lucille Thorn got six years in prison for trying to meet a hit man at the Maryland House Rest Area on 95 to arrange the murder of her stepmother, Or as the ABC affiliate in PA would put it, "Greed can be a powerful drug, and it led 49-year-old Lucille Thorn down the abyss of a calculated cold-blooded plot."

Good news for your lungs, bad news for Constellation: "In a major shift, Gov. Martin O'Malley's environmental agency has decided to enforce air pollution rules at coal-fired power plants that were routinely ignored under past administrations."
(Anyone out there tried to go solar with BP or Chesapeake?)

Who knew?: In February and March the U.S. Marshals Service's operation FALCON initiative (a series of large-scale fugitive sweeps) in Baltimore netted 195 offenders for crimes ranging from murder and robbery to sex crimes and narcotics offenses.

Poignant, acid-ravaged toddler celebrates his second (or third?) birthday in the hospital.

May 26

Inmate Lawrence Lannin was indicted for first-degree murder, he's accused of smothering child-killer Richard Spicknall with a rag in the shower at Jessup.

Correctional officer Lt. Perry Brook, 48, was found dead by his 12-year-old grandson in his car under the carport of his home in the 1900 block of Hillen/ Hillenwood Road around 2:30 a.m. last night.

"Violent crime is down citywide, but nowhere more so than in the Northern District. 'The Northern District is leading the city,' said Maj. Michael Pristoop, commander of the Northern District.... There have been 10 murders in the district so far this year, but they don't reflect a real danger to the district because most of the victims had no connection to north Baltimore and the locations of the murders were incidental," said Pristoop's press release.
Some of what has happened in the past 10 days: a man shot in the lower back, armed robbery, burgled perfume, jewelry, cash and so on.

Dixon has a plan: "selective increases in police overtime and the transfer of some surveillance cameras to higher-crime areas."