Black and White and Thin Blue Lines

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You can always find three things in Baltimore: Natty Boh beer, Old Bay seasoning & ludicrous "justice." In this week's podcast, Serge and Clarke discuss the case of Baltimore Police Sergeant Marlon Koushall whose videotaped conduct during a late night arrest were simultaneously deemed completely consistent with the rules, policies, procedures and training of the Baltimore Police Department AND a crime of misdemeanor assault and misconduct in office. The Baltimore Police Department exonerated the officer; the Office of the State's Attorney successfully prosecuted the officer. Listen to this episode to find out Koushall's status and the status of the former Baltimore City State's Attorney who approved Koushall's prosecution. Karma -- as they say -- is a bitch. 

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In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss the popular idea among conservatives for downsizing the FBI and deconstructing it into as many as five independent investigative agencies, each with a focused interest in the type of cases being investigated. Clarke says, as it stands today, just writing the word FBI into the title likely invites the oversized, bloated, and sometimes unfocused agency to download and dissect this episode, especially if the FBI learns that Clarke attended a Catholic Mass in Latin, or a school board meeting. Serge says -- Director Wray, if you hear this podcast, please give Serge a call about Clarke.

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In three recent incidents, the police got it right and prevented serious mass casualty events. In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss how the number of police agencies impacts the ability of sharing information and investigating criminal incidents. Clarke -- but not Serge -- thinks it is a miracle that the police got it right in one cross-state proactive police response.

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The Honorable Andrew F. Wilkinson, Judge of the Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland, was murdered in his driveway on the evening of October 19, 2021. Serge and Clarke discuss this shocking crime, assess how social media was tracking the law enforcement investigation, and offer thoughts on the root causes -- and a possible incremental solution -- to this specific type of violence.

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Reverend P. M. Smith, a "barber's son" and Pastor of Baltimore's Huber Memorial Church, shares the wisdom of his life with Serge and Clarke. Reverend Smith never fails to challenge all of us to be better people. Please listen to be inspired.

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Tu Culpa is a Latin phrase meaning "your fault." In part 2 of the podcast on the (Maryland) Attorney General's Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Serge and Clarke and special guest FJ Collins, discuss whether the AG's report is fair, the impact of expanded statutes of limitation, and whether the Attorney General of Maryland, as part of the Executive Branch of government, has done what is constitutionally prohibited by the Legislative Branch of government: issued a Bill of Attainder.  

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Most Catholics, and many lawyers, know the meaning of the Latin phrase, "mea culpa." The phrase is literally translated as "through my fault." It is the foundation of a traditional prayer sometimes recited during the Penitential Act of the Roman Catholic Mass: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Recently, Maryland's Attorney General issued a report that calls to mind a less well-known Latin phrase: "tu culpa." Your fault! Our special guest, attorney F.J. Collins, takes issue with the AG's segregation of liability and joins Serge and Clarke for an interesting, and perhaps provocative, two-part podcast on the Attorney General's Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

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On July 8, 2023, Serge and Clarke discussed the South Baltimore Brooklyn Day Party that ended when 30 people were shot. Two died. On August 30th, the BPD and other city agencies issued an “After Action Report.” Join Serge and Clarke and our distinguished guest, Colonel Osborne “Moe” Robinson, Baltimore Police Department (ret.) and former Chief of the York City Police Department for a candid discussion about the misnamed poorly named report. 

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The "picture of the week" was a group shot of heavily armed law enforcement officers surrounding the bleeding, captured and pathetic Danilo (or "Danelo") Cavalcante in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Taking and posting the "trophy" photograph violated the rules of many of the law enforcement agencies that participated in the escapee's capture. But lawmen breaking the rules didn't matter to the Governor of Pennsylvania or Lieutenant Colonel Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.  One your hosts found the picture and press conference appropriate; the other found it appalling. After listening, please let us know where you stand and why. 

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On August 24, 2023, a police officer of the 14-member Blendon Township (Ohio) Police Department shot and killed Ta'Kiya Young, a 21-year-old woman being detained for suspicion of shoplifting alcohol from a grocery store. The body worn camera evidence shows Young operating a vehicle in the parking lot of the grocery store during daylight hours. She doesn't do what the two arriving police officers tell her to do. With one officer at the driver's window, and another officer standing in front of the vehicle on the driver's side, Ms. Young turns the steering wheel of the car as far to the right as she can turn it and slowly begins moving the car forward. The Blendon Township officer standing in front of the vehicle fires one shot at close range through the windshield striking and killing the woman. Serge and Clarke discuss this case and -- at the end of the discussion -- you will wonder why this case hasn't enraged America as much as the George Floyd case did.