Man charged in abduction denies harming girl

An attorney for a 30-year-old Salisbury man charged in the disappearance of a girl found dead Christmas Day says his client denies allegations that he harmed the child. Thomas Leggs Jr., a registered sex offender in Maryland and Delaware, was charged with kidnapping and burglary one day after 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell's family reported her missing. She was found dead in a wooded area days later. Arch McFadden, an attorney from the Office of the Public Defender, represented Leggs during a Wicomico County District Court bond hearing. He says Leggs "has denied and continues to deny any involvement in this crime." Leggs was ordered held without bond.

- Associated Press

Shooting becomes city's 237th homicide of '09

A man was fatally shot Wednesday night in Northwest Baltimore, police said. No arrest had been made and the man's name was withheld pending notification of family. The death was the city's 237th homicide, compared to 234 homicides last year. Responding to a report of a shooting in the 3800 block of Oakford Ave. about 9:10 p.m., a city Fire Department ambulance crew found the man lying outside a house and bleeding from gunshot wounds to the head, back and chest. He was taken to Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m., police said. Metro Crime Stoppers, 410-276-8888, is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and an indictment.

- Richard Irwin