SA's race not about race?

Bernstein visited Perkins Homes over the weekend, perhaps poking some holes in the conventional wisdom that race will be the deciding factor in how people vote.

Jessamy Bashing?!

A comment from "Wendy" the other day:

I really enjoy reading your articles. However you are really irritating me w/ all this pro-Bernstein & Jessamy bashing. The State's Attorney cannot get convictions 100% of the time and with the lying, sneaky underhanded police who screws up the cases before the State's Attorney ever touches them, they're lucky for the convictions they do get. If Bernstein should win, I really hope that he will be the savior that you and his fellow endorsers believe he is. But when he is NOT, be sure not to forget that either!!!!!!!

Dear "Wendy",
For the past five years, no media outlet on the planet has been more supportive of the State's Attorney's office than this one. We have dutifully reprinted almost every single press release they've put out. During the Zach Sowers epic drama, we didn't take sides. Gleefully mocking her many costume changes is not really bashing in my book. But you're right in noticing that my opinions have changed, and since you brought it up, here's some reasons why:

• The State's Attorney's office employs at least three people full-time in communications, but only two people to coordinate witness protection for the entire city.
• Excuses and blame whenever things go wrong. Dropped cases, a bad relationship with police.. it's always somebody else's fault. Have you ever heard the State's Attorney's office say something like, "the prosecutor came to court unprepared, and that person's been fired," or "we're sorry Carl Lackl didn't get the form letter offering witness protection. In the future we'll try to do better." Or even, "we're sorry things didn't turn out as we'd hoped." Never! Doesn't some buck have to stop somewhere? Why would you want someone with nothing but excuses and blame as your employee?
• Where's the numbers? The SAO "doesn't do conviction rates"? First of all, the SAO does track the outcome of cases, (homicides, at least, I've seen the files), they just don't release those numbers to the public, apparently. But anyway, is she really saying it's okay to not attempt to define or measure success? What a cop-out, especially considering prosecutors already can-- and do-- drop cases all the time for lack of evidence and are able to opt to prosecute only the cases where there's a chance of winning.
• And what about those "rules"? The "do not call" list, which not only makes the office judge, jury and executioner for an officer's career, but imagine how much that must bone to be the victim who happens to be responded to by a "bad" officer.
• And the "one witness" rule. Isn't it a cornerstone of the American judicial system to try a case based on its individual merits? Blanket rules and policies subvert the judicial process.
• John Alexander Wagner. The man accused of stabbing Hopkins researcher Steven Pitcairn was arrested numerous times for violent crimes and probation violations without ever serving significant time. It could be (and was) argued by the SAO that police brought weak cases numerous times. But there's no excuse for prosecutors dropping charges when Wagner was caught on videotape beating and robbing a guy, and if they hadn't, Pitcairn would likely be alive today. ... And that is completely excusable as a lot of peoples' fault. BUT

... we could go on. The "sleeping baby." Using taxpayer's time to grandstand about Bealefeld's stupid sign. ... I don't think anyone expects one person to be the "savior" of the clusterfudge that is Baltimore crime. But at the very least, after 15 years of fussing, blame and excuses, isn't it time to give someone else a chance?

ps. Early voting locations are not open today but they will be open tomorrow from 10-8. You can go to any of the locations in the city. You don't need your voter registration card, though you do need ID. And you don't have to vote for all races, like if you have no idea who's running for the Orphan's Court. I went to the one at Reisterstown Rd. & Northern Parkway yesterday & it was safe with plenty of parking.

Kicking & screaming

A study of child abductions shows the best defense is a fast-thinking kid who makes a ruckus

Neck in neck

A man was fatally shot in the 2000 block of Baker St. in West Baltimore, bringing the murder total to 147. Last year's homicide total as of September 4 was 151.

Deputy commsioner feels it

Barksdale talks about his "feel" for the streets.

40 Years for 1st-Degree Murder & Handgun Charges

For a guy who shot his girlfriend's daughter's boyfriend. Says a SAO press release:

At a hearing yesterday Judge John N. Prevas sentenced Demetry AKA Frank Jenkins, 37, of the 1700 block of N. Washington Avenue to life suspend all but 40 years in prison and five years probation for murder and a concurrent five years without parole sentence for handgun use.

Jenkins pled guilty July 20, 2010 to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence after a jury had been seated and the state had presented its opening statement.

The victim’s grandmother delivered a victim impact statement to the court in which she described her grandson as a good son, grandson, brother and father noting he was not a troublemaker and that he would be dearly missed.

On February 4, 2009 at approximately 3:00AM police responded to 1724 N. Washington Avenue for a reported shooting and upon arrival found Demetrius Saulsbury, 22, lying on the sidewalk in front of the address shot once in the head. Investigation revealed that Mr. Saulsbury had been visiting his girlfriend at the home helping to take care of her because she was sick with the flu.

Jenkins was upstairs with his girlfriend, the mother of the girl, and became upset that Mr. Saulsbury was there so late and told his girlfriend to tell Mr. Saulsbury to leave, which she did. While Mr. Saulsbury was waiting for a cab a few minutes later Jenkins came downstairs and became upset seeing Mr. Saulsbury still in the house. Enraged, Jenkins ranted about how he's the man of the house and that no one respects him. Jenkins and his girlfriend's daughter argued, the sound drawing a few family members out of their bedrooms.

Meanwhile, the cab arrived and as Mr. Saulsbury was heading out the front door Jenkins said to his girlfriend's daughter, “You're gonna’ respect me now!” Jenkins walked up behind Mr. Saulsbury and shot him once in the head. Family members who saw the incident asked Jenkins why he did that and Jenkins responded, “That’s what I do,” then fled the location.

Jenkins was eventually arrested in Kinston, NC on February 17, 2009 and waived extradition. Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Wherley of the Homicide Division prosecuted this case.

Early voting

.. so this is the first time ever for early voting in Baltimore City.
I'll head to Pimlico as soon as I figure out for whom to vote for sheriff. Thoughts?

Meanwhile, here's Jessamy's ad, "Right Track."
"I'm Elijah Cummings, I'm cuddly and bald and people like me. State's Attorney Pat Jessamy wears blue suits and talks to groups of people in front of the courthouse. She also wears green suits and makes hand gestures, wears red suits and talks to white people in the park, looks at guns and drinks Starbucks, and changes into a gold suit to look in a file folder with me."
Will the Cummings endorsement be Bernstein's kiss of death?
Stay tuned ...!

Drug dealers make bad neighbors, kids bring 38 to school

Last night 3 people shot at least one killed after a neighbor unwittingly drives off with drugs stored in their wheel well.

Meanwhile, 10 and 11 year old arrested after bringing gun to school.

County bank robber arrested by city police.

The Slow, Creaky Wheels of Justice

Jury selection in the Ken Harris murder trial could take a week.

Ersatz Cop stuck in CP's Craw

Why the CP's Brian Morton won't endorse a candidate in the State's Attorney's race. Valid point, or lame wuss-out?

& your Page du Jour, the smoke and mirrors of conviction rates. Hey, math is hard!

Citizens, PETA complain to city health commissioner about conditions at the BARCS animal shelter

@GusSent Just saw pat jessamy waving at cars at corner of loch raven and alameda.

Small town!

Sen. Ulysses Currie was indicted on bribery charges, and the Sun's Laura Vozzella reports that candidate for State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein is also representing Currie against charges that he used campaign funds to pay for his defense.

Happy Thursday

Life w/o parole for Baltimore County home invasion & murder. Two accomplices in this case were also charged, but couldn't be prosecuted due to lack of evidence.

Two separate city shootings. The story makes it sound like they were both non-fatal.

Two Cecil County Detention Center inmates have been charged with starting fires in their cells.

Patricia Jessamy is launching her own TV campaign ads. Apparently her fund-raising isn't going well, because she's helping to pay for the ads herself.

An arrest has been made in the August 28th robbery of a 1st Mariner Bank branch on York Road in Cockeysville.

Shotgun intimidation

Police arrest a man who tried to kill a witness.

Harris trial could take a month

Prosecutors say, meanwhile judge rules against the defense again in pre-trial motions.

CP: Troubled Record vs. Limited Experience

The CP's Ed Ericson: "The Jury is Out: In state’s attorney race, Jessamy stands on a troubled record while Bernstein runs on reform and limited experience"
.. should this be taken to mean the CP won't be endorsing a candidate?

State Senators Behaving Badly

The Federales have indicted State Senator Ulysses Currie (D-PG County).

FOP endorses Bernstein

Police union (surprise) gives the official nod to the challenger for top prosecutor's job.