Jack Cashill –  On Wednesday, April 29, Peter Hermann of the Washington Post published a well-sourced article, headlined, “Prisoner in van said Freddie Gray ‘was intentionally trying to injure himself.'”
Hermann based this story on an affidavit contained in an application for a search warrant that had been sealed by the court.  According to the document, written by a Baltimore police investigator, the unnamed prisoner, a 38-year-old man accused of violating a protective order, could hear Gray from his side of the van.  The man heard “banging against the walls” of the vehicle and believed that Gray “was intentionally trying to injure himself.”
The Post received the document under the condition that the person testifying not be named.  As Hermann reported, “[t]he person who provided it feared for the inmate’s safety.”  That fear was understandable.  Many people have a vested interest in preserving the illusion of Gray’s martyrdom at the hands of a cruel and/or callous police department.
If anything, the fact that the man in question was currently in prison increased the risk factor. (more…)

There’s an odd dynamic to the Washington Post report that Attorney General Loretta Lynch is set to “launch federal investigation of Baltimore police” using the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office for a “pattern or practice” investigation.
Odd because, the DOJ COPS office investigation, run by Ronald L. Davis (Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services), was already launched last October, 2014.

DETAILS – Yesterday the Washington Post reported:

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has decided to launch a federal investigation into whether the Baltimore Police Department has engaged in a “pattern or practice” of excessive force.  (link)

However, last October 20th COPS announced:

U.S. Department of Justice Announces Collaborative Reform Initiative with Baltimore Police Department
COPS OFFICE WILL ASSESS BALTIMORE POLICE POLICIES, TRAINING, AND OPERATIONS AS THEY RELATE TO USE OF FORCE AND INTERACTIONS WITH CITIZENS
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – Today the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) announced the beginning of a review of the Baltimore Police Department’s use of force policies and practices. The scope of the work announced today will include an assessment of policies, training, and operations as they relate to use of force and interactions with citizens, taking into account national standards, best practices, current and emerging research, and community expectations.
(more…)

Least surprising announcement ever…

WASHINGTON DC – Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has decided to launch a federal investigation into whether the Baltimore Police Department has engaged in a “pattern or practice” of excessive force.

Lynch’s announcement about the Justice Department’s probe — the latest in a string of municipalities that are being investigated by the federal government for civil rights violations — could come as early as Friday, according to two law enforcement officials.
A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment Thursday night. (more…)

Bulk data collection too excessive to be legal.

NEW YORK – The National Security Agency’s bulk phone record collection program was dealt a blow Thursday as a federal appeals court said the controversial program exceeds what Congress has allowed and urged lawmakers to step in.
A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan permitted the National Security Agency program to continue temporarily as it exists, and all but pleaded for Congress to better define where the boundaries exist.
“In light of the asserted national security interests at stake, we deem it prudent to pause to allow an opportunity for debate in Congress that may (or may not) profoundly alter the legal landscape,” the opinion written by Circuit Judge Gerald Lynch said. (more…)

Some of you might remember this horrible story.  We outlined it for two reasons:  First, because it was a horrible example of why we should all be prepared to defend ourselves in our own home.

Second, because of the abject disingenuous nature of the local LEO who said:

“How dare you think you can merely kick in a door and just do heinous crimes in our community. It’s unacceptable,” said IMPD Chief Rick Hite.

“It’s unacceptable“?  Oh, all righty then – Here’s the update: (more…)

In our previous research outlines we have shown how State Attorney Marilyn Mosby manipulated her life story to gain election success and then specifically advanced her intention to seek justice for Freddie Gray “by any means necessary“.
She and she alone created the determination for charges via ‘direct action’.  No consultation with anyone except her inner circle, her husband and a closed staff of activist sycophants.


Toward that end we initially identified six false bricks, specific aspects of her intent, SA Mosby laid upon a foundation she is building – cemented entirely with an activist agenda.
Brick seven was the false presentation of the Knife being legal; it wasn’t.  Brick eight was the claim that no aid was rendered; it was.  Brick nine was the claim of an unjustifiable stop and frisk; it was entirely justified, as yesterday’s EXPLOSIVE new video showed.
Today we are going to show Brick ten, and Brick eleven.  Eventually this entire fabrication will collapse. (more…)

ST. LOUIS • Dorian Johnson, the man who was with Michael Brown Jr. when Brown was fatally shot by a Ferguson police officer last summer, has been arrested on suspicion of drug charges and resisting arrest, St. Louis police said.

Johnson was arrested on Wednesday and police are pursuing charges. The specifics of where and when he was arrested have not yet been released.
Johnson was walking with Michael Brown Jr. on Aug. 9 when the two were approached by Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson. The encounter ended with Brown fatally shot and led to months of protests and unrest in Ferguson. (more…)

Baltimore police have continually said their initial reasoning for suspecting Freddie Gray of suspicious activity was his immediate running from police when bicycle officers made eye contact.  However, no-one has revealed he ran into a building.

State Attorney Marilyn Mosby referenced the chase in her charging details:

Mosby Said:  “On April, 12 2015 between 8:45 and 9:15 a.m., near the corner of North Avenue and Mount Street. Lt. Brian Rice of the Baltimore Police Department while on bike patrol with Officer Garrett Miller and Edward Nero made eye contact with Freddie Carlos Gray Jr.”

“Having made eye contact with Mr. Gray, Mr. Gray subsequently ran from Lt. Rice”.

“Lt. Brian Rice then dispatched over departmental radio that he was involved in a foot pursuit at which time bike patrol officers Rice, Miller and Nero began to pursue Mr. Gray”.

Mosby then said: “Having come in contact with pursuing officers, Mr. Gray surrendered to Officers Miller and Nero in the vicinity in the 1700 block of Presbury Street“.

What Marilyn Mosby didn’t say, nor did any media report, was that Freddie Gray ran south past the point of arrest, into a building, then exited the building doubling back on this path, before running into officers Miller and Nero. (more…)

Page Croyder spent nearly 21 years with the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office before retiring from that agency in January, 2008.   After moving to Baltimore and becoming a city prosecutor, she served as a trial attorney, Chief of the Charging Division, Chief of Personnel, and Deputy State’s Attorney.
Today she appeared on CNN to discuss an Op-ed she wrote for the Baltimore Sun:

Her article is HERE and the content is also available on her Blog HERE
She also appeared on New Day with Chris Cuomo who was trying to avoid showcasing his splodey head on national TV:

…and evidence continues to mount reflecting massive Marilyn Mosby conflicts of interest.
(HatTip maggiemoowho) Sanford Florida had Rachel Jeantel – a witness on behalf of Trayvon Martin. Ferguson Missouri had Dorian Johnson – a witness on behalf of Mike Brown. Baltimore Maryland has Donta Allen – a witness on behalf of Freddie Gray.

Donta Allen was introduced to the public, as a witness in the Freddie Gray death, by the domestic partner of Baltimore Deputy Attorney Janice Bledsoe, reporter Jayne Miller (WBAL-TV). (more…)