The latest from Justin Fenton
Medical examiner rules Baltimore Police custody death a homicide
Maryland’s chief medical examiner has ruled the death of a man who had been in Baltimore Police custody as a homicide, in what appears to be the first case with such a ruling since a scathing audit.
New criminal case targets old allegations against priest, dividing Catholic community
William Mannion was previously investigated by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, but officials left him off the list of allegedly abusive priests.
FTC to Pikesville men who resold Taylor Swift tickets for profit: You need to calm down
The Federal Trade Commission is suing two Pikesville men who they say have been illegally buying hundreds of thousands of tickets to concerts, plays and sporting events to resell at a profit.
Killings in Baltimore are hitting historic lows. So why is Commissioner Worley scowling?
Life in Baltimore always means a reversal of fortune could be right around the corner
An unusual day in court for Maryland’s federal judges — as defendants
The case centers on a standing order issued in May by Chief Judge George L. Russell III, in which he ordered a 48-hour pause in every case in which an immigrant had tried to block deportation by challenging the legality of their detention.
Neo-Nazi leader gets 20 years, lifetime supervision in Baltimore energy grid plot
U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar rejected arguments from the defense that Brandon Clint Russell, 30, of Florida, was less culpable than a local accomplice who was prepared to carry out the attack on BGE substations.
It’s official: Frederick Keys are an Orioles affiliate again
The road to Camden Yards, once again, passes through Frederick.
The Aberdeen-IronBirds baseball breakup comes to a head this week
The Aberdeen IronBirds, in a long feud with the city, appear likely to move to Frederick, a deal apparently set to be announced this week.
Baltimore’s register of wills office spent over $1M on media, unaired TV show, audit finds
In response to the audit, the wills office, which has been led by former Baltimore City Councilwoman Belinda Conaway since 2014, called the allegations “unsubstantiated” without elaborating.
How a daring audit sparked Maryland’s reckoning over police custody deaths
Research by a psychology professor from Towson University shed new light on how the work of medical examiners suffers from bias.
New federal indictment links MS-13 to 3 Baltimore killings
Federal authorities charged Eliseo Alexander Lopez Alvarez, Josue Anibal Guerra Ramos, Olvin Josue Posas Alvarenga and Kevin Cuestas with racketeering conspiracy for their alleged membership in the MS-13 “clique” known as Centrales Locos Salvatrucha, or CLS.
Scott Plank’s pitch to move Foxtrot’s base seemed like a long shot. Then state money appeared.
Although Baltimore City officials say they never sought the money from the state, they confirm they are exploring a deal with Plank to relocate the aviation unit.
Baltimore’s wake-up call: How the mass overdose unfolded
Audio from emergency dispatches show a single call for help for a 27-year-old woman quickly spiraled into a much larger crisis.
Baltimore Police officer charged with raping 16-year-old girl
The 16-year-old told police she had been dating the officer since March and that they fought after he accused her of cheating on him.
Ex-leader of Strong City pleads guilty to fraud connected to COVID-19 funds
Reginald Davis, a former CEO of the defunct nonprofit manager Strong City Baltimore, has pleaded guilty to one count of federal misdemeanor bank theft.
Former Greater Grace pastor indicted for child sexual abuse, lawsuits pile up
Former Greater Grace Pastor Eric Anderson, 80, is facing two counts of indecent assault and battery of a child.
Second officer-involved shooting in West Baltimore in 8 days leaves 70-year-old woman dead
A 70-year-old woman was fatally shot by police Wednesday afternoon after allegedly lunging at an officer with a knife during a possible behavioral health crisis, officials said.
Maryland judge rebuffs Justice Department request to seek death penalty in MS-13 case
U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher said the federal prosecutors could not “play ‘fast and loose’ with decisions involving life and death.”
Tensions flare in Upton after police-involved shooting leaves man in critical condition
A police-involved shooting in Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood Tuesday evening left a man in critical condition and an officer injured — and quickly escalated into tensions flaring between law enforcement and bystanders who crowded the scene.
Man pleads guilty 9 years after woman’s killing in murder-for-hire gone wrong
Law enforcement authorities had long said they believed Matthew Hightower was behind the May 27, 2016, shooting of Latrina Ashburne.