In Baltimore County
Baltimore man gets life sentence in 2003 Parkville killing
TOWSON - A 21-year-old Baltimore man has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for his role in the murder of an 18-year-old Parkville man in September 2003.
Damon Gerard Atkinson pleaded guilty Monday in Baltimore County Circuit Court to first-degree murder, admitting that he was driving a stolen minivan through the streets of Parkville on Sept. 7, 2003, with his brother, Eric Atkinson, and friend Ronald Evans in search of someone to rob.
The three men spotted Kozar Tyrone Goode, who was shot and killed when he refused to hand over his money and backpack. Evans is scheduled to go to trial this month. Eric Atkinson, who is charged with shooting Goode, is scheduled to go on trial in April.
Jury picks start today in school shooting case
TOWSON - Jury selection is scheduled to begin this morning in the trial of Antonio Richard Jackson, the last of three men charged in the May shootings at Randallstown High School that left one student partly paralyzed and three others injured.
Jackson, 21, of Owings Mills is accused of bringing to Randallstown High the gun used in the shootings, handing it to one of the shooters and driving the black BMW in which the suspects fled. His trial, which had been scheduled for November, was postponed after prosecutors were unable to find a witness they characterized as essential to the case.
Jackson's attorney, Lawrence B. Rosenberg, said yesterday that authorities had not found the witness, Ronald Patrick Johnson Jr., 20, of Owings Mills. Prosecutor Stephen Bailey said he could not comment on the search for the witness.
Jewish group to present program for women
OWINGS MILLS - Jewish Pathways to Healing of Jewish Family Services will present "Nurturing Ourselves: For Women Who Do Too Much" from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Jewish Family and Community Services, 6 Park Center Court, Suite 203.
The facilitator for the program, which is for women only, will be Renee C. Feller, congregational liaison at Jewish Family Services. The cost is $12, and registration must be received by Monday.
Information: Feller, 410-356-8383, ext. 356.
In Baltimore City
National search in offing for City College principal
City school officials said yesterday they are starting a nationwide search for a principal for Baltimore City College, one of the city's prestigious magnet high schools.
Deborah L. Wortham, a former principal who oversees professional development for the school system, will be interim principal until a permanent replacement is found.
James Scofield, who was appointed interim principal in the fall, will be reassigned to another school, said Frank Destefano, director of city high schools. Scofield took over after Joseph M. Wilson resigned from the post, which he had held for 10 years.
The search for a new principal will be conducted by a committee of administrators, teachers, parents, students and members of the business community. A new principal is expected to be named in May, Destefano said.
Rewards offered in two murder cases
Metro Crime Stoppers and city police announced yesterday that they are offering $2,000 cash rewards for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of two murder suspects.
Warrants have been obtained for the arrests of both suspects, said Officer Nicole Monroe, a police spokeswoman.
Police said they are seeking Malik Vandiver, 16, in the Jan. 8 killing of Bayonna Cox. The 29-year-old Baltimore woman was fatally shot after an argument in a home in the 2500 block of Francis St.
Police said they are also seeking Shareef Nichols, 28, in the Dec. 29 killing of Tavon Tate, 18, in the 500 block of N. Monroe St. in West Baltimore. Nichols is probably driving a 2000 green Cadillac with license tags MJN-325, police said.
Both suspects are to be considered armed and dangerous, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Metro Crime Stoppers hot line at 410-276-8888.
Some JFX lanes, ramps will close tomorrow
City transportation officials plan temporary lane and ramp closings tomorrow along the southbound Jones Falls Expressway for lighting repairs.
Weather permitting, lighting crews are to work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the city line to Fayette Street.
Officials said at least one lane of through traffic will be open at all times during the work period. They encouraged motorists to use alternative routes.