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Edgewood activist mourns murdered son
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Community activist Mildred Samy, whose son was killed, speaks out against the violence at an Edgewood rally.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Mildred Samy lay down on the spot where her son had died, and she wept.
The day before what would have been Samuel Horne’s 26th birthday, a Harford County jury convicted Sean Nelson Smith of second-degree murder for shooting and killing Horne on Aug. 11. The violence Samy had spent nine years protesting had claimed her youngest child. Saturday, in the middle of the frigid, litter-strewn Brookside Drive parking lot, she was ready to give up.
“Between the verdict, his birthday the next day and just remembering the day that I birthed him, it was just too much to bear,” Samy said.
She was ready to hang up the bullhorn she’d bought to use when she marched through the streets, demanding that good citizens take them back. She had endured seven days of defense attorneys calling her son a stickup boy and a neighborhood bully who had allegedly threatened Smith and left another man paralyzed in an unsolved 2006 shooting.
She thought the jury had given “carte blanche” to violent offenders in Harford County by convicting Smith only of second-degree murder, which could mean parole in 15 years.
Samy knew her son was not perfect, but saw a softer side of him. He protected her from the thugs and the gangs she railed against. He wrote his sister in Iraq and wondered how long it would take society to forgive him.
And as Mildred Samy lay there on the blacktop, thinking of him, she felt like conceding defeat.
“But a neighbor came out, and he picked me up,” Samy said. “I knew then that I had to intensify my fight.”
Samy, 57, had moved to Grempler Way in Edgewood from New York City in 1985, seeking an affordable suburban life for the six children she was raising alone.
“It was ironic that I brought my children here to save them from New York, and then this should happen,” she said.
She had been known as the “Mad Lady of the A-Train” for her pro-public transit advocacy in New York. But seeing Sam drift toward delinquency got her back into the spotlight in Maryland. She borrowed her first bullhorn from the local 4-H Club and took to the streets, at first to call for the expansion of activities for kids at the Edgewood Recreation Center.
In November 2006, fleeing the cold weather that pained her legs every winter, Samy moved to Florida to stay with one of her four daughters. Her retreat ended with her son’s death, and she moved to Joppatowne so she could attend Smith’s trial and return to the community where five of Harford’s seven homicides occurred last year.
When she went to offer condolences and seek comfort with the family of Tyree Brown, who had been shot and killed on Grempler Way on New Years’ Eve, one of his relatives told her: “When you left this block, we lost it.”
“She didn’t mean it in a bad way, but that just — it really hurt,” Samy said.
Dion Guthrie, the county councilman representing Edgewood and Joppatowne, said he doubted Samy could resist the pull of fighting for her neighborhood.
“She’s too much of a good activist to give it up,” Guthrie said. “I’m glad she’s back.”
“I have to admire what she does because the complaint from the public arena is always, ‘If you want change, you must act,’ and she’s out there acting,” said Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane. “What’s most admirable is that she knows none of this is going to bring her son back, yet she’s out there. We’re very fortunate to have her.”
msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com
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Examiner Reader said:
My response is to the comment made by another Examiner Reader that the military has gangs and that "guess what, they're trained". This in response to someone saying it would be nice to attract military families to Edgewood instead of Section 8 people. To this person I say, you DISGUST me. You're a sick, ignorant individual with no honor, integrity or pride in the people that spend their lives serving your country. There are no gangs in the military. Military people are the most honorable, self sacrificing people you could ever hope to come in contact with. There are bad apples everywhere, but there isn't a holier group than military. To compare their families to section 8 is the most vile thing you could have said. Go thank a soldier, jerk.
1 agree | 0 disagree
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To Sam's MOM-08 I bet will be more deadly said:
Well Ms I'm not bitter and I do feel for you.Actually I live in a single family home and not a brookside town house.My wife and I looked at our house in the winter and didn't see all the mess that's going on out here.Edgewood will fool anyone whos not from this area.With the lakes senior centers it seemed like a idea community.Little did I know it was gang and thug ridden.I'm from west baltimore and use to sell clothing out my trunk on every drug corner but I didn't have my wife or kids with me.I lived in Baltimore County.Moving here I thought I was upgrading.Everyday I came home from work in the summer after working 10-12hr a day you come to treetop and see the same old weed smoking craps shooting drug dealers hanging out.The home own and residents just sitting on their step looking at them like nothings going on.Why aren't these people call the police.This is a sign that this community is broken by the killings gangs and violence.Again sorry I moved my family here.I feel a CONT
112 agree | 93 disagree
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THE LADY WITH THE HORNE said:
Dear I BET WILL BE MORE DEADLY: I bet you're the woman that just moved to Brookside Drive. Sam and the kids he grew up are why I took to the streets. When I noticed that the neighborhood was going downhill, that outsiders had moved into our neighborhoods and were teaching our children to do bad things. As for pictures (if you are referring to me); as I have told the media, although Sam was an adult (I have also shown pictures as an adult and as he was prior to death); as a mother, my heart aches as if they stole my baby, they did kill my baby (Sam was my younge of six, they snatched him from my womb, so to speak. I pity your bitterness and hope that you don't pass this down to your children. I owned a home on Grempler Way; but I was fortunate enough and smart enough to shop around for a better interest rate and price for my home. I'm sorry about your $1400 a month mortgage. I guess that makes for your distaste also.
104 agree | 101 disagree
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To Sam's MOM-08 I bet will be more deadly said:
Sorry for your loss.You are right about one thing.He didn't deserve to die.However I just moved to this area.I've been through a loss of the violent streets of baltimore city.What gets me about you and the shooters families are you all know what your children are doing in these streets.Not until they end up in court or dead to you parents come with these elementary school pictures acting like they were so innocent.My poor baby was this my poor baby was that.Yeah what about the crimes he was committing the people and community he was hurting.Guess what both guys who killed my nephew got off scott free.Be lucky the state got a conviction in your case.Many times these killers go free.Edgewood is the worse place in harford county...I moved my family to a crime ridden neighborhood and now I'm stuck with a $1400 a month mortgage payment.As soon as the housing market turns around I'm selling my house and moving ASAP.God I hope I can survive until then.Who will be next huh?
115 agree | 100 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I agree its sad this woman lost her son to violence. She is a mom and no matter what her son had done in the past she will always love him. I just wish everyone in Edgewood would wake up and take the thugs and crimminals and run them out of town, they need to go to prison and let the hard working people of edgewood live in peace. As for the young people it all starts at home, if mom and dad are not teaching respect for society and other people how can the schools, police, and other citizens. RAISE YOUR CHILDREN RIGHT, they need to know they must work for what they want not just take it, they must learn drugs will only lead to death or jail. What a sad sad world we live in
99 agree | 104 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
wow. the comments here are almost as upsetting as the article- I don't understand how people can be so cold. no one's perfect. that doesn't make the loss of a life at such a young age any less tragic. It's heartbreaking and I would have thought that any parent or, scratch that, any person, regardless of their background, would empathize with this mother and her loss. I probably have very little in common with Ms. Samy, at least in terms of those categories by which separate ourselves- age/race etc- but this story brought tears to my eyes and I am just horrified at the reaction of some readers. What is wrong with your thinking when the first thing you do after reading a story about the family of a murder victim is search for the criminal record of the victim?
102 agree | 90 disagree
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SAM'S MOM said:
Dear Spartan: "Ignorance is Bliss." CaseSearch doesn't depict my son. He never maimed or killed anyone. Human life was precious to him. He was no bully. We lived in that neighborhood for many years. He grew up across the street from where he was murdered. Many of his friends still resided in that area. My son and my daughter had an opportunity to move to Florida with me in 2006; but they refused. Edgewood was their home and all of their friends were here and they couldn't seem to leave Harford County. Ignorant, basically violent and mindless people like yourself are who contribute to and fuel violent crime with your sadistic comments. My son was a human being, not perfect, like yourself; but a human being nonetheless. You haven't a clue what type of person my son was. No one has the right to take a life. I, who birthed him, had no right to take his life. I pray that you never have to suffer the loss of a loved one; especially a violent loss. Be careful what you wish f
116 agree | 116 disagree
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I couldn't agree more said:
Just sit in the bowling alley's parking lot and watch the fancy cars or the white trailor park people walking to brookside to cop drugs.These are poeple from forest hill/belair and other quote on quote uppy areas of harfor county.Yes whites contribute to this whole mess as well
76 agree | 100 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What is risible is from all outward appearances, these are nice communities. Look at the houses in that picture in the article. Look at the cars they are driving. Over half the world would be envious to live in what we call "section 8" housing. And yet, even given all these opportunities, they still find a way to run their neighborhoods into the ground. No wonder no business owner wants to move into those areas, it's economic suicide. Why can't they build strong neighborhoods? Tight-knit communities that don't tolerate rampant crime? It just makes no sense.
115 agree | 102 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Interesting..the article says "he protected her from the thugs and gangs she railed against." Meanwhile, he's also painted as a thug and a bully who was a suspect in a shooting in 2006. No real judgment here. Just a strange blend of justice and "moral uprightness."
115 agree | 99 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It does my heart so good to read what some of our perfect lily white readers have to say well it's mighty funny half the drugs purchased are by white people who pull up in there nice cars or half the white girls who mess with the black thugs give me a break i see just as many fake wanna be white thugs with their pants hanging off please stop trying to act like all this is just a black thing a lot of white people contribute to these situations its just not talked about and if i see one more biracial baby so somebody like these black out of control thugs and they are not all black girls !!!!!
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KUDO'S said:
What a joke whoever you are that sterio typing all blacks as having "social behavior problems"You are a fool.It's racist people like you with attitude towards other races is what's wrong with this county.What about those white kids shooting up schools,what about that guy blowing up that federal building?What about your white president who's made this the worse times for everyone.You white ppl just can't handle presure so you kill your wives and children oh yeah remember that from the news that white guy who killed his whole family.What about those sick texas chainsaw type white ppl who kidnaped that black girl in va beat raped and made her eat poop.You sick child molesting petifiles.Yes a few black thugs kill each other over drugs money but what about yall problems.more whites are on welfare more whites are petifiles and more white kids are committing suicide why? because you all are to busy paying attn to blacks and not lil billy meth problem or Suzy who's about to run away from
119 agree | 104 disagree
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Hassan said:
You folks keep insisting that because these individuals had a rap sheet they are somehow reprehensible, vulgar and a burden of society that deserves death? U sound like the biggest uninformed, close-minded idiots that are really societies burden! I myself have a criminal history (quite extensive) however I changed my ways and thinking and am now a successful businessman, political figure and father who does more for my community, citty and state in one day then u fools will do in a lifetime! Wise up and realize how STUPID u sound!
100 agree | 105 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Until people admit that there is something tragically wrong with black peoples social behavior,then we will never come up with a solution to this crime problem.I know that some of you bleeding heart fools will view this as racist.I also know that you are the same people who roll up your car windows and lock the doors when you find yourself driving through an undesirable black community.Keep BSing yourselves and see where that gets you.
114 agree | 109 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I hope they throw the book at him!
103 agree | 98 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Sean Smith did society a favor by killing Horne.
90 agree | 106 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
He'll be out in no time at all. Maybe 5-7 years with "good behavior". The death penalty is the only 100% guarantee that Smith will never do it again, but O'Malley will never reinstate it.
101 agree | 123 disagree
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KUDO'S said:
your completely right Spartan.I did the same when I first heard of this murder.On case search this guy has a long rap sheet.Plus from what these guys are saying he was a violent neighborhood bully.I wonder how many he's shot or killed and got away with it?
121 agree | 101 disagree
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The Spartan said:
Just looking at Mr. Horne's past criminal record using CaseSearch....quite impressive! We may have to give Sean Smith the keys to Harford County, or at least a bigger gun.
138 agree | 95 disagree
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KUDO'S said:
kudo's to the sheriff department.These guys are doing a good job solving these violent crimes.If only we could a little more police presents in the area 24 hours a day
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Examiner Reader said:
Let’s face it people, there are two less criminal record holding individuals off the streets of Edgewood. One in his grave (RIP) the other locked up. Lets just hope we continue to count backward. They say Mr. Horne wasn’t armed on his fatal afternoon, okay, is that suppose to be some kind of bad news. His killer seen a window of opportunity and checked in on it. Let’s be thankful that Edgewood is making it hard for these thugs to get away with the crimes they commit. Take a look at Baltimore city, more then half of the violent crimes committed, the perpetrator goes unseen. Let’s keep up the little good work we are doing by giving these thugs a reason to believe Somebody-is-looking. As for the BRAC, the military does have a better control over their fighting Soldiers, but there are gangs in the military and guess what, they’re trained
120 agree | 115 disagree
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LOCK THEM ALL UP said:
Look at what cherry dale is doing in Baltimore. The owners of the village apartments can do the same. Pay these section 8 people to move out and remodel and attract high income people. This is vital in restoring Edgewood. Whole these section 8 people accountable. Monitor who stays in these houses. I know they have rules with the number of people who should be living in these places. Look at Brookside. People who rent to these people need to somehow be held accountable.Impliment no tolerance rules. If you can reports of gang members living at these residence, DRUG DEALING evict them ASAP Brac is coming. Wouldn’t it be nice to have military families living with us instead of crips and bloods? The village management/owners should be looking at this an opportunity to bring quality people into our neighborhood. Not saying all are bad.To often I do not see any police policing our area.Instead they are all on 40 writting traffic tickets.
104 agree | 104 disagree
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LOCK THEM ALL UP said:
I'm black I'm a home owner new to this area.I work 12-14 hours a day.You people are sick.These thugs need to be jailed.Weed smoking drug dealing criminals.Edgewood is not a bad place.Just a few bad people living here.Most of the crimes in Edgewood are over disputes over money drug and girls.Most of these guys know each other.Hardly none of the violence is gang related like presented in the media.Hardly none of violence are random acts of crime.(this is when we really worry)I most worry should be you me our kids getting caught in crossfire.Last weeks home invasion.Why wasn't a police car sitting at the bowling ally?why aren't cops sitting at the village apartments?Why these young section eight girl continue to let these young guys and all his buddies live with them.This is the number 1 problem.No parents around no responsible adults around.The last few things that happen on meadow and this invasion was young guys committing crime than going to a girlfriends house to hide.
115 agree | 104 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
More black mayhem. We need to build more prisons as much as no one wants to hear that. Let's face it- prisons are overcrowded and our streets are rampant with vicious thugs who will not stop until we stop them. What else do we do? Those in prison NEED to stay there and their progeny on our streets are acting as their proxy. If we arm ourselves and shoot one of them when they try to kill or harm us, WE go to jail. Blaming lack of opportunities, racism, "disenfranchisement" and other nonsensical reasons just keeps the blame and guilt flowing. It's getting worse my friends, sorry to say.
79 agree | 115 disagree
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examiner reader said:
I'm not saying he was right If he used an unregistered gun. But that's a charge in it's self. I'm speaking for anybody I deserve my life and I'm not gonna let nobody take it from me by any means necessary. And a lot of people in edgewood do and sell drugs and are not thugs. Just underemployed.
112 agree | 101 disagree
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LOCK THEM ALL UP said:
Yeah, but these are neighbor weed smoking thugs with guns.No jobs just selling drugs.I bet this wasn't a registered gun like we law abiding people have.I bet non of them had a gun permit.So are you saying it's ok for these thugs/criminals to carry guns?permit or not.Police said Horne had no gun at this time.He even had his kids in the car.Are you saying everyone should be packing guns even criminals?
110 agree | 112 disagree
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examiner reader said:
I think it's awful that in the state of Maryland you cannot protect yourself. If you can't who will. Life has changed if you live a dangerous life odds are you'll die dangerously. They both had guns we all know that. And who would'nt protect thereself we all would.
123 agree | 123 disagree
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LOCK THEM ALL UP said:
these young thugs are still destroying our community.I'd say lock them up and throw away the key.If they didn't kill Horn another thug this might have been an innocent victim or kid.Why are they carring guns and smoking drugs?Put them away.This will be 2 or 3 less killers we have in Edgewood.
99 agree | 112 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Edgewood is getting as bad as Baltimore.
125 agree | 92 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I know one thing Latoya Singleton and Samuel Horne have had many run ins with law.
116 agree | 114 disagree
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