Man guilty of involuntary manslaughter in stabbing
A 20-year-old Baltimore man has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in an altercation that led to the fatal stabbing of a Marine reservist, prosecutors said in a news release yesterday. Maurice Crosby of the 5200 block of Ready Ave. could face up to 10 years in prison for his part in the death of Michael L. Simms in June 2007, the Baltimore state's attorney's office said. The jury acquitted Crosby of first-degree murder in Simms' death, the news release said. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 3. Simms was with two male friends in the first block of S. Chapel St. when two assailants - armed with a knife and a shovel - approached them, according to police. Simms intervened and was stabbed in the chest; he later died at Johns Hopkins Hospital. His friends, ages 18 and 22, were also stabbed, but both survived. A co-defendant, Erica Ammenhauser, 21, of the 200 block of Durham St., pleaded guilty June 10 to conspiracy to commit first-degree assault.
Brent Jones
Carroll schools consider measures to cut costs
The Carroll County school system is considering leaving unfilled positions vacant and reducing workers' out-of-town travel to cut operating budget costs, Superintendent Charles I. Ecker said. "We are all facing difficult economic times, and as a school system we must do our part," Ecker said in a news release, adding that the system's entire operating budget will be scrutinized for possible reductions. "We will reduce the budget wherever we can. However, our number one responsibility is the education of the students," Ecker said. Although the totality of the budget will be under consideration for cuts, school officials want to determine what savings would result from leaving vacancies unfilled. They are also considering reducing the number of commuter miles driven by school system-owned vehicles, as well as cutting back out-of-town travel for professional development.
Joe Burris
League of Women Voters plans election night forum
The Baltimore County Public Library and the League of Women Voters will hold "Election 2008: Returns after Dark," the final installment of the Election 2008 Speaker Series, from 8 p.m. to midnight tomorrow at the Towson library branch, 320 York Road. Participants can watch and discuss the election returns. Political analyst Matthew Crenson, a retired Johns Hopkins University political science professor, will provide commentary throughout the evening. Information: 410-887-6166.
