BMORENEWS.com

Doni, I really appreciate the good job you do of keeping Baltimore informed and engaged of important issues. I respect your enthusiasm in this endeavor. It's important and very necessary for our community. However, your article about Pat Jessamy's campaign opposition was pretty good until I read that Delegate Jill P. Carter supports Bernstein over Jessamy. LMFAO!!! That is not true. You owe her an apology.

I am willing to bet a lot of money that you never even spoke to Delegate Jill P. Carter to ask her if she supports Bernstein. How do I know for sure? I actually talked to her about this issue at great length weeks ago. Did Warren Brown tell you that? I just hope you have not damaged her reputation by touting such ridiculousness. Delegate Carter has not spoken out in support of either candidate yet.

Jill P. Carter's name remains untarnished in Baltimore politics. She's always on the right side of the issues...the people's side. Before throwing her support behind anyone, Jill Carter is always thinking of the best interest of the people of Baltimore. Her record speaks for itself. She deserves the utmost respect as the only real truth fighter and truth speaker that we know. If it wasn't for Jill Carter's experience and passion as a defense attorney, Baltimore, and its 750,000 victims of the illegal arrest policy crafted by Martin O'Malley, still would have no knowledge of the vast scale of injustices being dished out to its citizens.

Doni, please retract the incorrect statement in your article citing that Jill Carter supports Bernstein. You may even need to arrange a meeting between Delegate Jill P. Carter and Pat Jessamy. This article is not accurate regarding this issue. Continue in your efforts of keeping Baltimore informed. Keep the conversation going.

Phillip, you are absolutely, 100% correct. I will pray to undo any damage my sloppiness may have caused. Rest assured. I should have called her.

We have since talked and discussed ways for me to make amends.

Thank you for your careful eye, your undying support for a freedom fighter, and your willingness to go public - as we all should (as it relates to our convictions).

I apologize to you and our readers, and strive to never let such occur again.

Doni Glover, Publisher BMORENEWS.com 443.858.2684

Doni, I thoroughly enjoy your posts and the bmorenews.com website. It is encouraging to read informative, objective news and debate here, and even more encouraging to know that there are good and positive people trying to make a difference here in the city. I just moved back to Baltimore after nearly 3 years in NYC, so staying informed to me is a big thing to me.

However, my brother, I have to disagree with you when it comes to Pat Jessamy.

Mrs. Jessamy has continously shown, in my opinion, incompetency and failure in her position as City State's Attorney. and Steven Pitcairn was the last straw. Both of this man's killers have EXTENSIVE criminal records, and have been in and out of jail more times than a few. With Baltimore City living planted squarely in the status quo, it is no wonder that the same people who supported Jessamy before are doing it again. Why not? Some, it seems, are so ignorant of any other alternatives that they will vote for the same person over and over again.

I, for one, am sick of the dope man having more power over our neighborhoods than the people who live in them. I am tired of the revolving door of police commissioners, un-elected mayors (though I have a great deal of respect for SRB), and city council members that allow for the flow of blood, drugs, and apathy to continue unabated.

Baltimore is a beautiful city, and one that needs one thing more than anything else: CHANGE. We were so quick to elect one of our own to run the country at-large, and in the process ignored our needs here in our city. Jessamy has shown either a lack of will to enforce the law, an absence of fortitude to throw the book at deserving criminals, or no desire to see Baltimore City truly improved by keeping the scum off these streets. Whether it's been 1 of these reasons or an amalgam of them all, Pat Jessamy is not getting my vote. If Warren Brown is endorsing someone different for State's Attorney for not handing out stiffer punishments WHEN THEY MOST CERTAINLY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING SO, then something stinks. And it's not Brown.

In conclusion, I view Jessamy's tenure as one of criminal enablement, rampant laziness, and outright maintenance of the status quo. While there are SO many other areas in which to lay blame, this is one where those that have the power to do something don't use it. And it's sad.

I happened to be in Baltimore, actually the first time since resigning from Pat's office. I am delighted to know that Gregg Bernstein is offering opposition. The city REALLY needs clean and/or fresh air and all felons had better beware. Who's keeping Pat in office anyway? $260k a year for poor performance and the streets are still overcrowded with three-strikers (convicted felons on the street wreaking havok...STILL!). Perhaps with Mr. Bernstein, we can witness the results that a real "law firm" is suppose to produce. Until the "Witness Protection" program is properly funded and professionally managed, amongst the least of things, it would be suicide for "any" witness to step forward and offer information. I know I wouldn't and I wouldn't recommend anyone close to me to do so either. After the botched Dawson case and the systemic cover-up (and it was a COVER-UP), I realized three things 1. Black folks in Baltimore City are really disconnected from reality if they believe Mississipian Pat Jessamy has their best interest at heart... perhaps the individuals to whom she refuses to prosecute are those who actually turn out to vote for her? Hmmmmm...makes sense (you "Pat" my back and I'll "Pat" yours) 2. From the governor's office, to the mayor's, the prosecutor's office down to the police department, they're all gangsta (very corrupt) and 3. Robert Clays death was not a suicide...(just another example of what happens when you buck status quo... they just didn't hand him from a tree) and what have "they" (city "leaders") erected in his memory as so his death is not in vain... let me guess, an entrepreneurial center for all the little black kids to visit after school or on the weekend much like the Dawsons after school retreat... since there's never enough police in the area, I hope it's equipped with bullet-proof windows and was built using fire-safe materials; wouldn't want anymore innocent children to fall victim. Black folks... wake-up!! Nothing comes to a dreamer but a dream... and you gotta be dreaming if you think keeping Pat Jessamy in office is going to resolve current or future issues... Don't settle for a bunch of smooth talk or the signature southern-bell laugh that has over the years become quite annoying to see and/or hear...what's funny? The hundreds of black men killed on the street? The number of stray bullets that have gunned down innocent children? The repeat offenders who repeatedly offend? Or, let me guess, it's the students with so much promise and potential who are robbed and murdered on your streets? Black folks don't believe those faith-based leaders who fail to lead anything but the soul-train line to the collection plate or perisheners dwellings after the sermon has been delivered! For as long as I can remember, it was always our church-leaders who were active in the community...they were the ones who called a spade a spade or a crook a crook now their silence is for sale. I gotta give it up to city residents though... they do seem to unite when it really matters like when the trash man forget s to pick up their trash or when a blizzard just delivered 6 feet of snow to their door and they want to go about their day. removal!! (smgdh... shaking mt gotdamn head in disappointment) If Pat (yes, we're down to abbreviated names) is up-seated and Bealefeld (to whom I've worked with) and Mr. Bernstein clean-house, I'de gladly return and help coordinate and/or facilitate the kind of protection that I would feel comfortable affording my own mother and/or siblings... Black man, White man, Chinese man or Jew...who cares as long as the candidate is doing right by the citizens of Baltimore... we're electing him to prosecute crime, not cater the next Stone-Soul Picnic. Crime has the city paralyzed and in order to rehabilitate it, we need a surgeon who specializes in spinal injuries not one who has no idea what a spine is... "afterall without the cooperation of victims and witnesses, the criminal justic system will cease to function."

My name is DiTanya Madden and I as well as my mother, her mother and her mother’s mother were born and raised in Baltimore City. I am one of six children to a single mother. I am one of two children to a career United States Marine and I shall not quiver at the sight nor buckle under the heavy threats of man. As a teenage mother, I attended the Paquin School before graduating from Walbrook Sr. High School. Though I had friends who were involved in crime and witnessed criminal acts growing up, I’ve never been in trouble with the law.

I remember old abandoned tires that were transformed into decorative flower pots on cement fronts, walking from North and Pulaski Streets to the New and Hippodrome Theatres to see all-day Bruce Lee movies, crowds at the Arena Players, the Afro News Paper located near the corner of Druid Hill and Howard Street, calm block parties on E. Bradford Street and the horse-pulled carts that sometimes brought not so fresh fruit and vegetables to my neighborhood. I fondly remember, and still today enjoy, the aroma of peanuts and hot dogs permeating the air just as it did when my mother, with the six of us in tote, hopped off of the bus at Lexington Market on Saturday mornings.

I joined the Baltimore City Police Department at the age of eighteen; a year after graduating from high school. I resigned as a Police Detective with the City’s Stop Squad and later accepted the position as Witness Security Coordinator for the Baltimore City State Attorney’s Office followed by a brief period in the United States Navy. When I resigned, more than seven years ago, as coordinator, it was not solely because of the arson deaths of five school-aged children and their parents, to whom I unfortunately never had the opportunity to engage, but because of the eye-opening series of inner-office and/or systemic events that followed… just because they may look like you doesn’t mean that they represent you or have your best interest at heart.

It is not with malice toward Mrs. Jessamy or leaders during that time that I expose these events. I have not considered, discussed , accepted or plan to accept compensation for statements and/or appearances endorsing Mr. Bernstein. Quite honestly, his campaign created an opportunity that would not have otherwise been available for me to have this conversation; should have taken place years ago. Unwilling or simply uninterested in hearing the truth many turned a deaf-ear and a blind-eye back in 2002/2003 and to date, many are still in a fog. I believe a fresh breath of air is in order for Baltimore City. I mean take a good look around at the climate in Baltimore, consider those people you care deeply about and the things that matter most to you and then ask yourself, how much more damage can change really create…seriously? Can things really get any worse for Baltimore City? I was recently in Boston and once it was learned that I was from Baltimore, Maryland, the first thing I recall discussing and/or defending was the corruption, crime and poverty.

I’m about to say what many are thinking but are afraid to utter in public. For some reason conversations about race are still difficult and/or uncomfortable for some. Don’t we owe it to ourselves to get to the truth or at least as close as possible? This cancer that plagues Baltimore politics has so many folks, especially some black folks, blinded. We are so stubborn and unwilling to embrace change and/or growth, no matter what shade it comes in, that we would rather have our pensions stolen, taxes raised, high crime rates, African American leaders, such as Ken Harris and Robert Clay, gunned-down, poor performing schools, etc. I’d say that’s a great investment of your tax dollars. Or, in the Dawson case, is it that it was just five black children and their black parents in a ragged rental in East Baltimore who were snuffed out so, it really doesn’t matter? Switch neighborhoods, their economic status and lets lighten their complexion...Okay, lets make them white. Does that change anything? No, it doesn’t they’d still be dead but I can almost guarantee you that we would not still be having this conversation because someone other than the defendant would have been held accountable. Where is the justice? The family was denied a trial and we all know why. Will the surviving family members ever receive closure or compensation for "their" loss? We, the black community, would have been up in arms if the chief prosecutor was anything other than a black man or woman. Heads would have rolled and you would still be able to hear Jesse Jackson protesting. The city throws up a “Safe Haven” where a family once lived and died and folks, especially black, roll over and say Otay!

As a native Baltimorean and mother of three, it is my obligation to my conscience and the truth first, followed by the family and surviving members and then the citizens of Baltimore, in that exact order, that I disclose my account of the incident so that you can decide the truth; so that you can decide not only who shall become “Top Prosecutor” but what the fate of Baltimore City and its’ political landscape shall be even after September 14, 2010. As the program coordinator, I was charged with ensuring the safety and well-being of crime victims and/or witnesses who bravely came forward. I worked very hard with City, State and Federal officials to do right by all victims and/or witnesses who were or were not referred by representatives. Unlike the Dawson family, very few, in my professional experience with the program, had such substantiated threats ( torching of a kitchen, documented physical attacks, an identified intimidator and/or defendant, etc.); most were for convenience… you know the keep them close we need them for trial type-care which became very costly and presented ongoing daily challenges for the office, operations and funding.

The information that I am about to share is no secret, it can be found in a deposition that I, after receiving several discouragingly aggressive calls and/or visits to stand-down, freely offered to Arnold & Porter, D.C. I too was subjected to acts and/or intimidating tactics but here I am still. In the weeks following my decision to relinquish my position, I in the company of my attorney, hand delivered, to the U.S. Attorneys Office, a box which contained some conflicting information, documents, and files, as well as copies of the e-mails exchanged between SAO representatives and myself during the week this all unfolded.

The week of October 16, 2002, I recall receiving several calls throughout the night from family and friends who attempted to comfort me. I had no idea what was going on until I turned on the news. I remember watching in disbelief at the mention of the family being in witness protection. I began shaking my head in disagreement. The names were not familiar to me. Who could forget a woman and five children of which two were twins?

Many witnesses had, prior to my being hired in 1997, lived for years in area hotels at the city‘s and/or program’s expense. So, why would Angela decline? Some resided comfortably for more than 4 years. I recall one witness had redecorated her suite and replaced the hotel television with a very large wide-screen. There was another who was planning a wedding on the lawn until we intervened. Several witnesses were arrested by authorities from other jurisdictions for drug distribution and/or possession, robbery and a host of other offenses while in the program living in housing paid for by the SAO. Some were awaiting trial, some were taking advantage of the system (no real threat) and others had been in the program so long that the office had forgotten about them. Some had moved their entire family in with them and others were caught sleeping with the enemy (suspect in the bed with a witness in what was suppose to be a safe location). The office, literally, did not know who they had in the program, where everyone was living and sadly enough how much it was costing. So, again, why would Angela have declined an opportunity to better her situation and that of her children? We’ll never know!

The vendors in most cases knew the rooms were empty (either occupants left, were arrested or moved other people in) but why would they complain, they were being compensated. Though met with resistance from police, sheriffs assigned to assist and members of the SAO, for varying reasons, (some saw nothing wrong with giving witnesses in the program cash in hand or doing other things that were beyond the scope of “protection“), many things were changed after I assumed the position.

The very next business day, after reports of the tragedy, I feverishly combed through old files in search of information on the family... nothing! As I had always done, I returned to my desk and began to draft an e-mail to this effect. The e-mail was sent to four individuals… my division chief, both deputy state attorneys and the state attorney herself. My e-mail read similarly: “Just in case you receive any calls from the media, I checked all files and we do not have anything on a Angela Dawson. They were never referred. It’s a shame because perhaps if they were, they would still be alive.” Shortly after I pressed the send button, I received a call from my division chief who was calm and in agreement with the notification. With sadness in her voice, she agreed and specifically stated, “it’s a good thing you are letting the front office know!”

Later that day or late the evening of the following day, I received a surprising call from my division chief who, with an unusual tone and degree of nervousness and uncertainty in her voice, tried her best to convince me that the family had met with a states attorney, who I am still not familiar with and declined assistance. My division chief and I knew that that was not protocol yet, in a heated argument, she insisted on trying to convince me that it didn’t matter and that the family declined. We went back and forth for a minute because months prior to that day she and I both were copied on an e-mail the deputy state attorney sent whereby the entire office was made aware of protocol. The program protocol was the first of its kind in the office and it was created for a reason. The protocol expressly stated that all victims and/or witnesses shall be referred to the WP office when there is belief or reason to suspect bodily harm or death is imminent. My division chief reviewed and agreed to the instructions of that protocol as well as the creation of the declination letter before I submitted it for final approval to the deputy state attorney who also approved it.

Prior to the Dawson family was the Elmly Avenue case which was the reason behind the development of the protocol and the letter of declination. This form was designed to absolve the office from any liability associated with injuries sustained by victims and/or witnesses who, against better judgment, refuse assistance. Because the program had been use to accepting almost anyone who alleged they were threatened, a strict entrance evaluation was also put into place. It didnot go over well with police and/or prosecutors. It does not surprise me, as it has always been the case, whenever the media would contact the office concerning a witness, representatives would conveniently claim that the purpose of the program is not to protect but to offer assistance. As long as I can remember, the program had always been referred to, by all, as a “protection program” when speaking with or trying to gain witness cooperation. It was also reduced to a victim/witness services program instead of protection to safeguard against claims made by former clients or cases gone bad (death of a witness).

When I saw the scribbled hand-written notes on the news that were suppose to serve as proof that the family was “interviewed” and declined, I was angered because people died, protocol wasn’t followed, the declination form should have been completed and I had strong reason to believe there was a cover-up going on…. a case botched and covered-up. Secondly, it was a little unsettling to me that I received a referral and, as with every victim and/or witness referred, I personally sat with and interviewed the defendant in the Dawson case in an un-related matter some time earlier. How sad, no referral for a family of seven with a substantiated threat but one for a suspected drug-dealer.

Late one evening, not sure if it was the same day as or a day after sending the FYI media e-mail, I received a call from Ms. Jessamy. I was taken back because I am usually greeted by her secretary before speaking directly to her. Before I could say anything, I was ridiculed for what we often did; send e-mail messages on high profile or media-related cases in an effort to keep all informed. In a very demeaning tone, Ms. Jessamy stated, “that was the most irresponsible e-mail I have ever seen if it were to fall into the hands of the wrong person it would make the office look like we were lying.” Confused, because we had always communicated this way, it finally occurred to me what was really going on and according to a relative who was employed with city hall, I learned that a statement had been released earlier whereby it was stated that the family declined assistance.

As the police I will always be, I started investigating. I telephoned around to get a copy of the press release or statement and eventually ended up at the city solicitors office. Message must have gotten around and before long, I received a call from the city solicitor who firmly stated, “I , the Mayor, States Attorney, and Police Commissioner stand firm that we offered the family protection and they declined!” Translation...you are either with us or against us… under the umbrella or out in the rain. Needless to say, I broke out my rubber boots and slicker and weathered the storm. What ultimately catapulted me out of the office was the gut-wrenching feeling I had the day I received repeated e-mail and telephone requests from a frantic office spokesperson who stated that she did not want Ms. Jessamy to be without a clue for an interview with CNN. I was sickened...as if nothing ever occurred...seven people just died, focus was shifted from a very unfortunate tragedy to business as usual..."We need information on several zip codes, Ms. Jessamy is being interviewed by CNN… this is a great opportunity…. it could bring about much needed funding for the office.” .

So, you decide what the truth is. Do your research. Inventory what is important to you and then decide who is best for “Chief Prosecutor” the unknown with 30 years of Federal trial experience who can bring hope back to Baltimore City or the known who has spent 15 years delivering the same old thing? No one will ever know if the family really declined assistance. The truth, even though it died with the family, still lives with some and the guilt (if any), of not doing enough or anything at all, lives with those very same people and they will ultimately have to answer for that. All events shared and quotes are a true and accurate account of the events that took place. At no time were events, people or comments exaggerated and/or embellished, etc

Interesting that the State's Attorney's race is characterized as a race war: Black woman vs. Jewish man pits black community against white and Jewish community. Here's the dilemma for black voters; Patricia Jessamy has NEVER been FOR black people in Baltimore! Do we show solidarity and loyalty to her now, merely because she is in black face, even though she has worked against black people?

In the 1990's, a grand jury concuded that the so-called war on drugs in Baltimore was a farce, due, in large part, to corruption in the police department and prosecutor's office. High level police and prosecutors turned a blind eye to the driving forces behind Baltimore's drug trade. They refused to arrest and prosecute the, mainly white and Jewish business owners, politicians, and lawyers that were making all the money from the illegal drug trade. Yet, they targeted, overwhelmingly, young black males for arrest and prosecution even though they were mostly street level dealers, and drug addicted users supporting habits. These defendants usually could not even afford private lawyers when their cases were brought before the courts.

RATHER THAN INVESTIGATE THESE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AND BRING THE REAL CULPRITS TO JUSTICE, PATRICIA JESSAMY CHOSE TO DENY THE REPORT, AND FILE A PETITION TO REMOVE IT FROM THE PUBLIC RECORD. This is not the behavior of an honest prosecutor, or of an attorney interested in ferreting out justice. This is not the behavior of an officer of the court interested in removing corruption from government, and ridding the streets of violence. This is not the behavior of a person willing to use her position of power and influence for what is good, right, or just. This is not the behavior of a person willing to take a stand against Baltimore's white power structure and it's investment in a system of white supremacy and black inferiority, inequality, and unequal application of justice. Pat Jessamy stood on the wrong side of justice, and her stand was emphatically AGAINST black people. She simply does not deserve the support of the black community. She is a part of the problem for black people achieving jusice and equality in the city of Baltimore.

My question to you: Could Bernstein be worse than Jessamy for black people?

My comment was civil and insightful. But, it has not been added after almost 6 hours. Is it premature to assume it isn't favored by the administrator? That would seem odd since some of these other comments are fairly hard-hitting.