By Justin Fenton and Liz F. Kay , Justin.Fenton@baltsun.com and Liz.Kay@baltsun.com|August 21, 2009
Two teenagers have been arrested and charged as adults in connection with what police have described as a racially motivated beating of a 76-year-old black man.
Zachary Watson, 17, of the 900 block of Jack St. and Emmanuel Miller, 16, of the 1600 block of Spruce St. were arrested and have been charged with 18 counts of attempted murder and other offenses, along with Calvin E. Lockner, 28, whom police arrested Tuesday. Lockner, a self-professed white supremacist who is a registered sex offender and has a tattoo of Adolf Hitler, told detectives that the victim was targeted because he was black.
According to charging documents, the teens said Lockner instigated and carried out the beating and car theft, which left James A. Privott, a retired state employee who lives in Baltimore County, hospitalized with a fractured eye socket and two missing teeth. Lockner said it was Watson who beat the victim.
Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said the three suspects' Brooklyn/Curtis Bay community helped police identify the two younger suspects. Tipsters called the homicide unit, spoke to post officers in the area, and even e-mailed information to Bealefeld, the commissioner said at a news conference Thursday.
"I think it speaks to people's moral compass about how they feel about this crime," Bealefeld said.
Miller said the three had watched Privott and his wife fish early Tuesday at Fort Armistead Park in South Baltimore and approached them to ask if they had water or cigarettes, according to charging documents. Lockner became angry when Privott said no. As the group walked away, Lockner shouted a racial epithet at Privott, Miller said.
They waited for Privott's wife to leave, then Lockner struck Privott at least 10 times while yelling slurs, according to records. Watson described the weapon as a sledgehammer, and Miller said it was a baseball bat, records show. Lockner picked up Privott's wallet and keys and the three left in his 2008 Chevy Tahoe, authorities say.
"What we're hearing through statements indicates that Mr. Lockner took a primary role in the assault and much of the racial aspect," Bealefeld said.
After the assault, the three smoked marijuana near Federal Hill, according to court documents.
Meanwhile, police were tracking the Tahoe, which was equipped with an antitheft device. Police located the vehicle as it traveled on East Baltimore Street, until it crashed and overturned near railroad tracks in the 5100 block of Erdman Ave.
