May 20
2008

Homeless Man Charged With Raping Eleven-Year-Old Girl

Posted by Kim | Leave a comment | Link to this| Category: The Crime
Kevin Bernard Meredith, 47 - a homeless man, has been arraigned on charges of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct, for pulling a little girl into an abandoned duplex and raping her. The little girl was able to escape to her aunt’s house, and the aunt called 911. The police found the homeless man still in a bedroom of the abandoned home, and the little girl was able to positively identify him Additionally, a witness saw the man take the girl into the home.

For me, this speaks to three major issues in Detroit, and I’m sure in other urban cities:

First is the homeless issue. Many of the homeless roaming the streets of Detroit are mentally ill, and require hospitalization. Unfortunately, Michigan closed it’s mental hospitals over a decade ago - leaving the mentally ill to roam the streets - unmedicated. This man’s mental health (or lack thereof - I’m making an assumption here) in NO way excuses his behavior, but in my opinion - the state plays apart in the crimes committed by the homeless.
The second issue is abandoned homes - which I must admit - Mayor Kwame has been addressing. Even in some of the nicer neighborhoods, both on the eastside & westside, there are abandoned, unsecured homes. These homes are havens for crackheads, dope boys, and the homeless.
The third issue is this: apathy. If that man had been seen taking that little girl into an abandoned house on my street - somebody would have made it clear to him that WE SEE YOU. THE POLICE ARE ON THE WAY. Could the witness not have prevented the attack by making him/herself visible? In Detroit, it is illegal to enter abandoned homes. Yeah - the chance of the police showing up before the attack was over was slim to none, but maybe if the girl knew someone saw her, she could have cried for help. Or maybe if the man knew he was being watched - he would have let the little girl go.
Keep an eye out on your block. Know your neighbors. Who’s gonna look out for our neighborhoods if the neighbors don’t? In the meantime, I’m keeping the little girl in my prayers. [source]
May 5
2008

Martha Reeves’ Detroit Home Robbed

Posted by Kim | Leave a comment | Link to this| Category: The City, The Crime
photo source - Martha and the Vandellas



According to WDIV News4:


“The east-side home of Motown star and Detroit City Council member Martha Reeves was robbed Sunday, with about $1 million worth of recording equipment stolen, she said.
The break-in occurred sometime Sunday night in the 2400 block of Townsend Street in the home she grew up in and is now owned by her father. Reeves said the items taken include speakers, expensive microphones and karaoke machines used for rehearsal. “

My people. Martha Reeves is a Motown legend - why you gotta go and rob Martha? When Motown left - (Berry, Smokey, The Temptations, The Supremes…) - Martha Reeves stayed. Now ya’ll gone and robbed her? If she resigns from City Council, and we lose Martha - it’s all your fault!
By the way - that’s Martha on the right.

Apr 28
2008

The Latest R. Kelly Rumor…

Posted by Kim | 2 Comments | Link to this| Category: The Crime, The Foolishness

There’s talk R. Kelly is working on a plea deal - the terms supposedly specifying community service, and no jail time. So far the plea deal is just an UNCONFIRMED MediaTakeout rumor , so don’t go gettin‘ all upset. Personally, I think R. Kelly should get jail time for that “Hairbraider“ nonsense, alone.
Apr 23
2008

32 People Shot, 6 Killed In One Weekend

Posted by Kim | 2 Comments | Link to this| Category: The Crime

According to CNN.com:

An epidemic of gunfire rattled the city during the weekend, with at least 32 people shot and six killed. Police Superintendent Jody Weis blamed an excess of guns and gangs for the rash of violence.”There are just too many weapons here,” Weis said at a news conference Sunday. “Too many guns, too many gangs.” At the time of that news conference, the toll was 26 separate shootings and four deaths. Later, three more shootings were reported within two hours on the West Side late Sunday and early Monday, resulting in two more deaths and four more people wounded, police said.The other weekend shootings were scattered all over the city. Police said they included gang shootings, drive-by attacks, and even one case in which someone used an AK-47 to shoot up a plumbing supply store..

I know some folks will look at the headline and assume this happened in Detroit - given our murder capital rep, and all - but this rash off violence actually took place last weekend in Chicago - not that the location matters. It’s a shame when senseless violence occurs ANYWHERE.
When did we start valuing guns, drugs, clothes, and money over human lives? What did we have growing up, that young kids don’t have now? Are morals and values not being taught at home? Is it the lack of corporal punishment in the schools? Separation of church and State? Lack of church, period? Can we just blame BET?
I have my own opinion, but I’m interested in hearing what you think.

Why is this generation so violent?

Apr 22
2008

UPDATE: Sgt. Cobb Not Charged In Wife’s Murder

Posted by Kim | Leave a comment | Link to this| Category: The Crime

Sgt. David Cobb, 38, has been released from police custody, and has not been charged in the contract killing of his wife, Rose Cobb. From the Detroit Free Press:

“Rose Cobb was shot and killed Dec. 26 while sitting in a van outside a CVSpharmacy on East Jefferson. Her husband, David Cobb, was inside the store at the time of the shooting. Smothers was arraigned Monday evening in 36th District Court on two first-degree murder charges and a charge of assault with intent to murder in the deaths of two people and the wounding of a third on June 21 at the drug den on Gravier, just of Cadieux. Even though Smothers told police he killed Rose Cobb, and was offered $10,000 from David Cobb, the sergeant denied the story and prosecutors would not authorize a warrant to charge him, police said.”

Since Sgt. Cobb was a suspect in the slaying, he didn’t receive any insurance money. The hit man, Vincent Smothers, still hasn’t been paid.

Apr 21
2008

Detroit Police Officer Arrested for Putting a Hit Out on His Wife

Posted by Kim | One Comment | Link to this| Category: The City, The Crime


photo: Detroit Free Press

Just when you thought Kwame & Christine were the worst Detroit had to offer - you get news about this ish. According to the Detroit Free Press, Sgt. David Cobb (right) was arrested for the December, 2007 killing of his wife in the parking lot of a CVS drugstore on East Jefferson. Sgt. Cobb allegedly arranged for 27-year-old ex-con Vincent Smothers to walk up to his van, and kill his wife while the officer was in the store shopping.The shooter met the officer through the son of Cobb’s mistress - leading to the belief the hit was intended to cover-up Cobb’s affair.

Makes you wonder if some men are familiar with the divorce process. Yes - it can get expensive, but at least if keeps you out of jail!

Apr 17
2008

Aspiring Rapper Wanted on Multiple Charges

Posted by Kim | One Comment | Link to this| Category: The Crime


[photo source]

Aspiring rapper Rajeah Alexander Murray, is wanted on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, home invasion and armed robbery after police said Murray and another man, who was already charged and awaiting trial, broke into a home on Green Road, in Ypsilanti MI.

It seems young Rajeah & company broke into the house, robbed, then - for good measure, pistol - whipped the homeowner before Murray allegedly shot him twice in the back.

According to WDIV news: “Murray is an amateur rapper who goes by the name “Crazy Jay.” He has a tattoo on his right arm of a clown shooting a gun and throwing dice.”

Okay, so now that the young man is a real criminal (allegedly) - think he’ll get a record deal?
[source]

Apr 9
2008

The NAACP Champions Another Cause

Posted by Kim | Leave a comment | Link to this| Category: The Crime

It seems four young people came up with an idea to rob a Bank of America branch. Two white women - dubbed The Barbie Bandits, and two Black men - one of whom was a teller at the branch. They got $11,000.00. And they got caught.

According to AverageBro:

Last month, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley sentenced 20-year-old Heather Johnston to 10 years probation after she pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by taking in the 2007 heist. The judge gave 19-year-old Ashley Miller two years in jail and eight years probation. Both women are white.

Michael Chastang, 28, was sentenced to 10 years for being the mastermind of the robbery, and bank teller Bennie Allen III, 23, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to five years. Both men are black. Chastang also is serving 15 years on unrelated drug-trafficking charges and Allen was on probation for a drug conviction.

Johnston and Miller - both former exotic dancers who went by the stage names “Charlie” and “Adrienne” - were nicknamed the “Barbie bandits” after they were videotaped wearing sunglasses and laughing as they appeared to rob a Bank of America branch in Acworth of $11,000.

Apparently the Georgia NAACP thinks the gentlemen are victims of unfair, racist sentencing practices, and feel convicted felons should be let off with just a slap on the wrist. And, I’m guessing, fellow Georgia convicted felon - rapper T.I.’s slap on the wrist of a sentence isn’t helping much.

No one has addressed how the dope-dealing teller made it past the Bank’s background check. For me, that’s the most sensational part of this story.
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