Lessons not learned in Byers case
A day after federal jurors spared the life of Patrick Byers for ordering from his prison cell the killing of a witness in his murder case, the Baltimore Sun's Melissa Harris brings us another chilling tale of intimidation.
She along with the Baltimore Circuit Court jury watched as a defendant in a murder trial locked eyes with a witness as lawyers and judges were pre-occupied at the bench. Melissa reports that he held up a document in one hand and pumped a thumbs-down gesture with his other, saying, "I know your name. You're going down. You're going down."
That prompted an extroadinary private meeting between the judge and the jurors; he allowed the case to proceed but his close-door session will surely be an issue for appeal. But given that such threats must be taken seriously (see Byers case) this brazen activity has got to stop.
The trial involves members of the Black Guerrilla Family, a prison-based gang that was subject to a mass indictment recently in which federal authorities discovered that while behind bars members not only had access to cell phones but to vodka, cigars, salmon and shrimp as well. In court documents filed in that case, authorities intercepted phone comversation in which one jailed member order another on the outside to attend his hearing to stare down witnesses.
The case Melissa writes about was particularly brazen; usually, gang members just have to show up and sit in the gallery to intimidate; the witnesses know exactly who they are. We can't have a judicial system scared of the people being tried. But this is not a good sign. The lessons from the Byers case have not yet been learned.
Comments
Baltimore City .... what do you expect. Just keep pumping money into the school system. This will stop all of this silliness. Right?
Posted by: Anonymous | May 6, 2009 9:15 AM
Peter, please keep beating this drum. How this isn't a national embarassment/story about how out of control things are in Baltimore, I don't know.
Shows like 60 mins, Dateline, etc. are focused on the economy, meanwhile, Baltimore criminals run wild and have usurped the courtroom with no fear/respect for justice.
Unbelievable.
Posted by: Groundskeeper | May 6, 2009 10:26 AM
it's the school system that helps lift you up, if you are willing to put in the effort. But school it's no good, without a good family and most of the getto people don't know what "real" family is. Getto people think the deff. of family is to support the law breakers because everyone is out to get them but the felons. You are not worthy of the support of society if you break the laws that tie it together.
Posted by: ALLEN | May 6, 2009 10:49 AM
The witness was mistaken. No threats were made. The defendant was merely gesturing that the witness was lying. Even the security guards in the courtroom weren't sure what happened. This is much ado about nothing. We should focus on the fact that a black man can't get a fair trial in America these days. It's sad to me how many people want to bring back the days of lynching. This man has rights and deserves due process.
Posted by: Leroy | May 6, 2009 11:32 AM
Leroy, you are either stupid or a gang member yourself.
Posted by: karen daugherty | May 6, 2009 12:08 PM
karen ;
I agree,
Leroy, you are either stupid or a gang member yourself. Get a life and stop blaming the white man for allll your issues. Lift yourself up, and take advantage of what this country gave you.....opportunity to help yourself.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 6, 2009 12:32 PM
Leroy: Were you there? Are you a defense attorney for the BGF? Or do you just feel the need to defend a homey. 'Cause I think you're a total tool. You could be a poster boy for the lack of responsibility and personal accountability that is proving to be the downfall of black urban society. And quit with the "lynching" crap - it's old, tired and played out. Just like your pathetic rap.
Posted by: Cynical Eastern Shore Girl | May 6, 2009 2:00 PM
Leroy how do you no there was no threat? Do you have some sort of ESP or mindreading abilities. How exactly wasn't the trial fair. Maybe you'd care to elaborate and back up that post with some evidence.
Posted by: Bob | May 6, 2009 7:18 PM
{sigh}
For cryin' out loud people!!! "Leroy" is not a real person, just someone attempting to yank your chain(s). And apparently it worked...easily!
Posted by: Mosby | May 7, 2009 10:05 AM
Mark my words, this verdict will be overturned. The judge took unprecedented action by meeting alone with the jury, and without defense counsel present. Only a small minority of people in the court felt like a threat was conveyed. This is grounds for a mistrial. This defendent's rights were VIOLATED. As usual, in a rush for 'justice', another black man in Maryland gets railroaded.
Posted by: Leroy | May 7, 2009 11:09 AM