Page Croyder spent two decades with the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office. A few weeks ago I discovered her blog (thanks to a comment). The prosecutor’s office — the State’s Attorney in Maryland — and the court system in general is a big Skinner box of unknown for most people. Croyder offers insight. People get arrested and somehow they end up…
Useful lessons from Scotland on less-lethal policing
In the New York Times.
Longo testifies it’s OK to violate the rules, if you can defend your actions
I don’t personally remember Timothy Longo, but I do remember his name. Was he in the E&T chain of command in 2000? Londo testified in Porter’s trial today. Longo said that the van driver, Goodson: was ultimately responsible for Gray’s care, and that Porter had notified a supervisor that Gray needed help. He said Goodson and the supervisor, Sgt. Alicia…
“Put yourself in William Porter’s shoes”
Great column by Tricia Bishop, if you still have free Sun articles in the bank (you could always subscribe).
Porter trial: Dec 7.
The prosecution rested. Judgment of Acquittal did not happen, alas. Judge Williams did rule that prosecutors failed to disclose that Freddie Gray had allegedly told a police officer the month before he died that he suffered from back problems. From the Sun: Porter’s attorneys asked that Williams dismiss the charges against Porter, grant a mistrial, or strike the testimony of…
Backdated seatbelt memo?
The Sun on that BPD seat belt policy: Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow said Porter showed a “callous indifference for life” when he deviated from department policies. Defense attorneys have said other police officers routinely break such policies, but Schatzow said those officers should not be considered “reasonable.” What’s interesting is that the “new” policy, says the department, came…
$700,000+ for 1 shooting
Ashley Luthern of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at the direct costs of a shooting. It adds up to more than $700,000. $400,000 on prison.
Fiddlesticks!
@PeterMoskos wins the “Most Profanity in One Quote” Award. https://t.co/Rt22OJRYjy — Jeffrey Butts (@JeffreyButts) December 5, 2015 I’m humbled and honored to win the Golden Middle Finger award. I’d like to thank all the sailors and pirates who taught me everything I know, gosh darnit. In all seriousness, this Guardian piece by Baynard Woods might be the first fair thing…
Looking forward in Baltimore
On a slightly more positive note (than the last post), Mark Puente has a good story on Baltimore Commissioner Kevin Davis and the US DOJ report due in 2016. This articleis worth one of your monthly free Sun articles, assuming you don’t subscribe: In other cities, such investigations have exposed problems such as brutality and outdated training, leading to federal…
Dying in Baltimore? Blame the Police.
I saw a Tweet about something I already knew, and it still shocked me. This year 1 in every 2,000 Baltimoreans will be murdered. As of today, 1 in every 2000 residents of Baltimore has been murdered this year. Few, if any, have been killed with assault weapons. — Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) December 5, 2015 I know this number is…