Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Baltimore Six 20150501. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baltimore Six 20150501. Show all posts

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Baltimore Sun: Editorial: “Goodson verdict should force Mosby to reconsider charges



If Mosby's office couldn't convict Goodson, what chance to they have with the other officers?”


Ya Think?

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Baltimore Md. - Officer Caesar Goodson acquitted on all seven counts. NOT GUILTY Thursday, June 23, 2016 #GoodsonTrial

  

Baltimore Md. - Officer Caesar Goodson acquitted on all seven counts. NOT GUILTY Thursday, June 23, 2016 #GoodsonTrial

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Prayers for Officer Caesar Goodson, peace, Baltimore and sanity as we await the outcome of the third trial of the six Baltimore Police officers as a result of the death in April 2015.

Circuit Judge Barry Williams was expected to announce his verdict this morning at 10 a.m.

In an article published today by Luke Broadwater, he noted, “If Mosby's team fails to secure a conviction against Goodson, it's unlikely she will be successful against any of the other officers, several observers said.” Thursday, June 23, 2016




Officer Caesar Goodson acquitted on all seven counts. NOT GUILTY Thursday, June 23, 2016 #GoodsonTrial Thx @RectorSun http://live.baltimoresun.com/Event/Officer_Caesar_Goodson_trial_Freddie_Gray_case_live_coverage_2

Sean Welsh just recounted: The following were the charges against Goodson. He was found not guilty on each:
Second degree departed heart murder
Second degree assault
Misconduct in office
Manslaughter (involuntary)
Manslaughter by vehicles (gross negligence)
Manslaughter by vehicles (criminal negligence)
Reckless endangerment








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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Upcoming Trial dates for the Baltimore Six



Mark your calendars, according to the Baltimore Sun, "The next trial in the case will be that of Officer Caesar Goodson Jr, the driver of the van used to transport Gray. His trial is scheduled to begin June 6.

His trial is to be followed by those of Lt. Brian Rice (July 5), Officer Garrett Miller (July 27), Officer William Porter (Sept. 6) and Sgt. Alicia White (Oct. 13).

++++++++++++++++++

They are: Lt. Brian Rice, 41, who joined the department in 1997; Officer Caesar Goodson, 45, who joined in 1999; Sgt. Alicia White, 30, who joined in 2010; Officer William Porter, 25, who joined in 2012; Officer Garrett Miller, 26, who joined in 2012; and Officer Edward Nero, 29, who joined in 2012.

++++++++++++++


When is Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby up for re-election - 2018? She defeated incumbent Gregg Bernstein on June 24, 2014 and easily won the following general election in Nov. 2014 and took office on Jan. 8, 2015....
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Baltimore Sun: Freddie Gray case: Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero found not guilty of all charges

Baltimore Sun: Freddie Gray case: Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero found not guilty of all charges


Officer Edward Nero found not guilty on all four charges related to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams on Monday acquitted Officer Edward Nero of all counts for his role in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray.

The judgment, following a five-day bench trial, is the first in the closely-watched case. Nero, 30, faced four misdemeanor charges of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office.

Prosecutors had argued that Nero committed an assault by detaining Gray without justification, while the reckless endangerment charge related to Nero's role in putting Gray into an arrest wagon without buckling a seat belt. In closing arguments Thursday, Williams had skeptically questioned prosecutors about their theory of assault, which legal experts said was unprecedented.

Nero leaned forward after the verdict was read, and wiped his eyes. He hugged his attorneys.

Billy Murphy, the attorney for the Gray family, commended Williams for not bowing to public pressure.

Williams "stood tall and did what he believed was just" while "very careful" to make clear findings specific to Nero case," Murphy said. "He had a job to do and he did it."

Nero, a former New Jersey volunteer firefighter who joined the Baltimore Police Department in 2012, is one of three officers who were on bike patrol when they chased and arrested Gray in West Baltimore.


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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Honestly, you cannot make this up – Baltimore Sun story by Luke Broadwater: “Baltimore mayor, other city elected officials to get raises”


Honestly, you cannot make this up – Baltimore Sun story by Luke Broadwater: “Baltimore mayor, other city elected officials to get raises”

“Baltimore mayor, other city elected officials to get raises”
Baltimore Sun story by Luke Broadwater December 22, 2015

“The paychecks of Baltimore's elected officials — including Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young and Comptroller Joan M. Pratt — are about to get bigger.

On Wednesday, the city's Board of Estimates, which includes those three officials, is set to approve pay raises for themselves and the members of the City Council.

Rawlings-Blake's salary is set to go from $167,000 to $171,000. Young and Pratt's pay is set to increase from $110,000 to $113,000.

According to a city law passed in 2007, the elected officials are entitled to a 2.5 percent raise if some city workers also get a raise in that year's budget. The raises go into effect Jan. 1.

Howard Libit, a spokesman for the mayor, said she plans to abstain from voting on her raise. He said officials are voting on the raises in public to be "fully transparent and disclose what's happening."

Read more here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bs-md-ci-raises-20151221-story.html
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Sunday, December 20, 2015

The view from under the Maryland bus. By Kevin E. Dayhoff Dec. 20, 2015

The view from under the Maryland bus. By Kevin E. Dayhoff Dec. 20, 2015 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-view-from-under-maryland-bus-by.html

I spent time this afternoon with several of the police officers, known as the “Baltimore Six,” and their families, as part of efforts to help brighten their Christmas holiday.

By Kevin E. Dayhoff Dec. 20, 2015 Maryland Troopers Association Lodge #20 Chaplain

The views expressed here are not only correct but they are my views and mine alone – and the views of my upbringing – and my mother’s but I take full responsibility for my views. And please note that I take great pride in respecting the points of views of others who respect mine.

I spent time this afternoon with several of the police officers, known as the “Baltimore Six,” and their families, as part of efforts to help brighten their Christmas holiday.

This was the first time I had the opportunity to meet any of them in person. I met fine individuals and wonderful families. My heart – our hearts go out for them at this difficult time.

I guess that my many years of serving as an appointed and an elected official, as well as five-years as a chaplain for the Westminster Fire Department and Maryland Troopers Association Lodge #20, and 12-years as a newspaper reporter gives me a certain insight into the character of individuals.

I have been told by other police officers and public officials that have known some or all of the six Baltimore police officers; that these men and women in uniform have the hearts of dedicated public servants, who have worked tirelessly under very difficult circumstances to protect and serve.

In return, because it was politically expedient, certain public officials have thrown these men and woman under a bus in order to enhance their careers and cover-up their short-comings and inadequacies – and years of failed public policies and political leadership.

These officers and their families are our neighbors, friends, and part of our greater blue family.

They are all on a long journey. As sad as their current circumstances, today they were measured, thoughtful, reflective, but nevertheless upbeat, not only because they exuded a depth of character and personal integrity, but because they have been humbled by the incredible support they have received from the community.

I guess we have not been reading about the support they have received from the community because it does not meet with a pre-determined media narrative.  

They will need more of our help in the future – and I may quietly reach-out and ask for your support.

We help these individuals because it is the right thing to do.

We help, simply because for those of us who have served the public in Maryland for years – it is only by the grace of God that it could just as easily be you or me under the Maryland bus.

All of us who served in appointed or elected office in Maryland or have served the public in Maryland know all too well that in Maryland you do not have to do anything wrong to wake-up one morning a scape-goat and thrown under a bus because it is convenient for a powerful individual of powerful organization or institution or simply good politics.

(I faced it just the other day when a powerful institution wanted to throw me under a bus. I was just doing my job as a volunteer. They saw that as a perceived threat. Fortunately the men and woman of the fire company stood behind me.)

Today, any one of us can be the victim of a news media account that is factual but does not tell the truth. Or the current pre-occupation with lies, damn lies and videotape.

In the race to the bottom that is Maryland, there is an unscrupulous political element that does not care about the welfare of individuals and families if it does not meet with their political narrative or quest for power.

In Maryland, no one has any immunity from being squished like a bug, just for doing your job, or standing-up for the right thing or standing-up to corrupt powerful individuals and institutions that wish to sweep its short-comings under the rug, with the explicit help of the Maryland elite-ruling class.

Always remember, that in the end; without public safety you cannot have a community.

It is at time like this that I recall the words of the German clergyman, Pastor Martin Niemoeller (1892-1984)

"First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."

In Maryland, it is time that we stood-up for what is right. There is no better time than right now for standing-up for the Baltimore Six.

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Friday, December 18, 2015

Baltimore Six: Charges against Baltimore officers in Freddie Gray case

Baltimore Six: Charges against Baltimore officers in Freddie Gray case



William Porter was the first Baltimore officer to face trial; a hung jury resulted in a mistrial

Five other officers to face trial on charges ranging from misconduct to second-degree murder
 
Updated 9:14 PM ET, Wed December 16, 2015

(CNN) Six police officers have been charged in the death of Freddie Gray, with the charges ranging from misconduct in office to second-degree depraved-heart murder, according to documents from Marilyn Mosby, the state's attorney for Baltimore.

"Our investigation revealed that we had enough probable cause to bring charges against the six officers," Mosby said when the charges came down in May. "The grand jury, who also concluded there is sufficient evidence for probable cause, returned indictments on all counts presented to them."
Here is rundown of the six officers and the charges they face.


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Friday, May 01, 2015

What we know, don't know about Freddie Gray's death - By Ashley Fantz and Greg Botelho, CNN Wed April 29, 2015

What we know, don't know about Freddie Gray's death - By Ashley Fantz and Greg Botelho, CNN Wed April 29, 2015

What we know, don't know about Freddie Gray's death

By Ashley Fantz and Greg Botelho, CNN

Updated 10:52 AM ET, Wed April 29, 2015

Story highlights

Freddie Gray was arrested on a weapons charge April 12; he was dead seven days later

He was put in a police van after his arrest; it's unclear what happened inside the van

Gray has a criminal history but it's not known if that had anything to do with his arrest or death

(CNN) The arrest and death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore has sparked protests and accusations of police brutality. But it's unclear how Gray, who was arrested on a weapons charge April 12, suffered a severe spinal cord injury that led to his death seven days later.

Here are the big questions surrounding this controversial case:



Update: A new digest of articles in the Baltimore Sun on the recent unrest and other related events

Just trying to catch-up after being away for a while.... May 4, 2015 at 6 a.m....



After more than a week of angry protests over the death of Freddie Gray, marred at times by violence and rioting, hundreds rejoiced and sang outside City Hall on Sunday.

Mary Jackson was watching CNN when the rioting broke out in West Baltimore last Monday, and she couldn't take her eyes off the screen.

Dr. Ben Carson, the celebrated pediatric neurosurgeon who spent his career at Johns Hopkins Hospital before becoming a darling of conservative voters, said Sunday he will seek the Republican nomination for president next year.

A message of hope was delivered by Baltimore elected officials and clergy at Southern Baptist Church Sunday afternoon, nearly a week after the Mary Harvin Transformation Center (a project of the church) and senior apartments were destroyed by a fire nearby during riots last Monday.

Mark Dantzler arrived home from a party early Sunday morning to find his neighborhood blocked off and his street saturated with blue police lights.
Baltimore began to move beyond unrest Sunday when Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake lifted a citywide curfew, the Maryland National Guard began withdrawing its forces and shoppers returned to Mondawmin Mall, which had been shuttered after looting.

Baltimore could be set to host a blockbuster sequel with Kentucky Derby champion American Pharoah and top rivals Firing Line and Dortmund all pointed toward the May 16 Preakness.

Pushing back against criticism of his own policing strategies in Baltimore, former Gov. Martin O'Malley said the tensions that erupted into riots last week would be central to his presidential campaign if he decides to run.

Baltimore City officials estimate the 39 hours an employee spent watching pornography on the job during a two-week period equated to about $1,166 in salary. They fired him in January after monitoring and documenting the employee's porn viewing.

One man is dead after two separate overnight shootings Saturday, Baltimore police said.

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings said Sunday he was "comfortable" with State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby's decision to charge six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray.

Gov. Larry Hogan attended mass at a Catholic church in the Sandtown-Winchester community Sunday, part of a "day of prayer and peace" he had declared in the wake of a tense week that saw looting and violence following the death of Freddie Gray.

As the 10 p.m. curfew went into effect Saturday night, police detained one man at Pennsylvania and North avenues, the site of a riot and looting earlier this week. The handcuffed man had been pepper-sprayed and police were pouring water into the man's eyes to try to ease the effects of the spray....

A group of about 50 mostly white protesters stood on a corner in Hampden on Saturday just as the citywide 10 p.m. curfew went into effect because, they said, they knew they'd be treated differently than black protesters in poorer parts of the city.

In a fourth-floor conference room at Baltimore police headquarters, two training officers in blue T-shirts and blue pants lowered themselves onto the carpeted floor to demonstrate the leg hold officers used to restrain Freddie Gray the day he was arrested — and sustained a fatal spine injury.

It was part dance party, and part angry cry for justice.

James Henderson grabbed his daughter Kya's tiny hand and reminded his youngest, Kendall, to hold on to him as the family joined a crowd of about 100 Saturday on a march to City Hall.

Unrest in Baltimore put on display the widely different leadership styles that Gov. Larry Hogan and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake brought to a crisis that could come to define their administrations.

As more than a dozen pharmacies remained closed after fires and looting in Baltimore, city health officials on Saturday urged people who can't get their medicines to call 311 for help.

After riots overtook West Baltimore on Monday, a hashtag began to appear on Twitter and other social media — #BALTIMORELOOTCREW — linking together posts that depicted pilfered prescription drugs and demolished store shelves.

Tonight's Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao bout may be the fight of the century, but for some Baltimore bar and club owners, it's just another way the city's ongoing curfew is costing them and their employees money.

As arson investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives dug through the charred rubble of a West Baltimore pawn shop Saturday, the bureau put out a call for citizen-captured videos of fires that erupted during Monday's riots. Anyone with fire videos can upload...

Baltimore City's top prosecutor, State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby, charged all six officers who had been suspended in connection with Freddie Gray's death. The highest charge, second-degree depraved heart murder, went to the driver of the van.

Baltimore police arrested at least 53 people during peaceful protests Friday, the day charges were brought against the six officers involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray.

A popular fundraising website has disallowed contributions for the Baltimore officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray.

The obstacles the Orioles have faced through the first four weeks of the season – several untimely injuries, an inconsistent pitching staff and this week's forced scheduling twist – pales in comparison to what has been going on in Baltimore over the past seven days.


Two men were arrested amid the ongoing unrest in Baltimore on Tuesday night after stealing a Maryland Transit Administration mobility van that police then tracked through GPS, a MTA spokesman confirmed.

A 49-year-old Highlandtown corner store employee was fatally shot at his business on Friday morning, one of two shootings reported in Southeast Baltimore.

Amid a cacophony of people shouting and car horns honking, Baltimoreans pulled each other into close hugs and joyful handshakes Friday as word spread that State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby was charging six police officers involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray.


All six police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray were released from the Central Booking and Intake Center downtown Friday night after posting bail, court records show.
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