Go Home Already: Shouts and Murmurs
Man Stops Traffic at 17th and K to Demand $200 Million
Compromise Uncertain on Same-Sex Marriage Law
Morning Roundup: Second Helpings Edition
Fire at 17th and L NW Forces Evacuations
Good morning, Washington. Enjoy that cool temperature outside while it lasts (60° right now!), because the heat will be back before you know it (i.e. this weekend), so much so that you'll probably need to switch on the old A/C come Sunday. Mayor Fenty's nominee for Schools Chancellor, Michelle Rhee, knows a little something about sitting around in expectation of feeling the heat herself right now -- there's the questions about the secret way Fenty went about hiring her, concerns about her lack of experience running a large organization, and of course, that pesky race issue. If these recent headlines are any indication, it looks like we could be in store for perhaps the first seriously contentious confirmation hearing in the Council of any Fenty nominee.
Barry Acquitted of DUI Charges: We guessed this would be the outcome yesterday, and indeed a judge agrees that there was not enough evidence to show that former mayor and D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) was impaired when he was stopped near the White House last Sept. 10. Barry was acquitted yesterday of driving under the influence and three other traffic-related charges.
Arrest Made in Columbia Heights Shooting: Sixteen-year-old Domenic Bond, of Northeast Washington, was arrested this morning and charged as an adult in the June 2 slaying of a 13-year-old in Columbia Heights. Terry Cutchin was fatally shot at the corner of 14th and Girard streets at the beginning of the month. Police have not yet provided any details as to what might have happened the night of the shooting, beyond that Cutchin was hit by shots fired from a passing vehicle.
Briefly Noted: Libby to return to court to ask for sentence delay while he appeals ... Ruth K. Webb Elementary School on lockdown after a wounded shooting victim ran into the school ... Secret Service raided D.C. Schools administrative office as part of investigation into identity theft ring ... Area homelessness down for first time in three years.
This Day in DCist: Last year we found another good bagel shop in the District, and the year before that we took a look at some of the perks associated with being an intern at a conservative think tank.
Photo by twoeightnine
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Thank God the U.S. Atty's office charged that 16 yr old as an adult.
So many of the District's crime problems can be traced to our arcane joke of a juvenile justice system. I'm 100% for home rule, but, when cases like this arise, I'm actually glad that our felonies are prosecuted by the feds. Our local gov't does not yet have the stomach or will to deal with juvenile murderers.
I second Bobby's remarks. The only people more coddled in this city than juvenile criminals are tourists, corrupt cab drivers and church administrators who live in Prince George's County. If the kids actually feared any repercussions of their deviant behavior--which they currently don't because, frankly, there aren't any--then maybe there wouldn't be so much juvenile crime in this city.
From WT: "...investigators are focusing on an employee in the school system's professional development office at G Street in Northeast."
"Professional Development"?
Why am I not surprised?
Barry was giving a tour of the city at 3:23 a.m. to a female acquaintance from Oklahoma?
Whatever happened to Barry's probation? I thought the attorney general was trying to send him to jail for violating his probation.
haven't you learned Reid that the rules don't apply to Barry. drinking, drugs, unregistered vehicles. doesn't matter dude, barry is an untouchable in this city. a shining example for the youth of today
Mayor for Life Baby!!!!
I like the way Barry and his lawyer excused his erratic and dangerous driving as being caused by medications he takes and his advanced age, rather than it being a DUI. Well, then he shouldn't be driving anyway! It's time to reinstate the driving tests for seniors, and put Barry first in line for a crack at the test.
I agree. I would think driving under the influence of meds and an illness would still be considered reckless driving or something.
haha, crack...
So why wasn't Barry charged with reckless driving? The officers said he ran lights, forgot to go through green lights, etc., but the only chgarge was DUI (all of which would be considered dangerous per DC law, no?). Doesn't seem to add up.
I generally have a negative impression (who doesn't?) of Barry but I have to think that he's on the right side of the law here. The man blew a .02, well below the legal limit. If you or I were pulled over, blew a .02, and were still standing trial for DUI, I think the perspective might shift.
If "they" really want to send Barry to jail, let's just get him for not paying any income tax in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, etc.....
Years ago, when I got my drivers license, a big burly PA State Trooper warned me, before handing over the paperwork, that if there was ever anything illegal in or about the car I was driving, even if it wasn't my fault, I would be responsible. In other words, if I borrowed a friend's car and it turned out to be stolen, tough, it was on me. If I borrowed a friend's car and it had a gun or drugs hidden under the seat cushions, tough, it was on me.
I have always pretty much assumed this was true. If you are driving the car, it is your responsibility.
And yet Marion Barry is caught driving a car with expired temporary tags, and he is able to get off by claiming that someone had loaned him the car? So much for the principle that has been guiding my driving for the last 25 years.