Metro

News from around the Baltimore region

The victim is now living in a secure, state-licensed facility and receiving services through the Association of Retarded Citizens.

-- Julie Bykowicz

BALTIMORE

7th defendant charged in firebombing of home

State prosecutors in Baltimore have charged a seventh defendant in the firebombing of the home of a North Baltimore community leader in January.

Brian J. Harrison, 17, of the 3700 block of Greenmount Ave. was charged as an adult Friday with 12 counts related to the attack in Harwood, including attempted first-degree murder and first-degree arson. He appeared in court Monday, but was denied bail and remains in state custody. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 8.

According to court papers, Harrison confessed to throwing a Molotov cocktail against the home of Harwood Community Association President Edna McAbier on North Lorraine Avenue.

He joins Antonio Newsome, 17, as the second juvenile charged as an adult in state court in the Jan. 15 firebombing.

According to court records, McAbier believes she was targeted because she reported criminal activity in her neighborhood.

The five remaining adult defendants -- Andre Wilkins, 31, of Randallstown, and Jackie Brewington, 18, Richard M. Royal, 20, Isaac Smith, 25, and Nakie Harris, 29, all of Baltimore -- were charged in federal court last month. The federal indictment charges them with witness tampering, conspiracy to commit witness tampering and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

State and federal prosecutors declined to comment on why the cases against the two youths stayed in state court. But in general, federal officials said, it can be more complicated to try a youth as an adult in federal court.

-- Matthew Dolan

ELLICOTT CITY

Petition drive seeks to change Howard land-use decisions

A group of Ellicott City residents is starting a petition drive that could overturn dozens of recent land-use decisions in Howard County, mainly along U.S. 40 and U.S. 1.

The residents need 5,000 signatures to place the County Council zoning bill on the November 2006 ballot. That would delay development plans and land sales predicated on the zoning changes. Under the county charter, the group has until May 10 to collect at least 2,500 names and then would have until June 10 to get the rest.

"People just feel the system is flawed, unfair, and it's time to put it back in the hands of the people," said Patricia Casal. She, like other residents of the St. Johns Lane area, just north of U.S. 40, was incensed when the County Council ignored objections and voted, 4-1, March 7 to grant new zoning to Bethel Korean Presbyterian Church for a major expansion. The residents favor a more-restrictive conditional-use zoning process that gives residents appeal rights and more scrutiny.

-- Larry Carson

BALTIMORE

BCCC will hold fair today on college transfer process

Representatives from 21 Maryland colleges and universities are expected to attend a College Transfer Fair today at Baltimore City Community College.

The fair, which is free and open to the public, will offer information on options and requirements to transfer to four-year degree programs.

The fair is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the student activities area of the college's Main Building on the Liberty Campus, 2901 Liberty Heights Ave.

CARROLL COUNTY

Departments seek inclusion of items left out of budget

The Carroll County commissioners heard the first of several series of requests yesterday for staff, services and equipment that did not make the fiscal 2006 budget recommendations list.

The sheriff's department wants nearly $80,000 to hire another deputy and provide more medical services for inmates at the county detention center. Recreation and parks officials want $2.6 million to build gyms in two new senior centers. The public safety agency wants $10,400 for back-up cellular phone service. County social services, dealing with dwindling state funds, asked for the commissioners to make up the difference, and one community group requested stipends for its volunteers.

Two more sessions with similar lists are scheduled later this month. Those requests are in addition to the recommendations in the 2006 county budget, which the director of management and budget will unveil publicly today.

The commissioners will review all the requests, meet with their staff and hold a public hearing before making final budget decisions. Carroll's 2005 budget was nearly $263 million. The county has a $12.5 million budget surplus.

-- Mary Gail Hare

GLEN BURNIE

Man charged with mutilation, animal cruelty in dog incident

A Glen Burnie man has been charged with animal mutilation, a felony, after veterinary staff discovered that a pit bull terrier's throat had been injured by a curtain rod, Anne Arundel County police said.

The dog's owner took the terrier, named Kane, for emergency treatment March 1 to the Arundel Veterinary Emergency Clinic. An exam revealed internal injuries to the dog's throat, police said. County animal control authorities were notified three days later.

In addition to the felony, investigators charged the owner's boyfriend, Alvin Burris, 28, with animal cruelty, a misdemeanor. The owner, whom police declined to identify, will not face charges. The dog had surgery and is recovering at a veterinary facility, police said.

-- Phillip McGowan