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Harry Jaffe: Murderers go down in Rosenbaum case, questions remain
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Michael Hamlin sat in the witness chair last week for more than three hours and ratted out his cousin. In a calm, often meek voice, he told a Superior Court judge and jurors and family members how he and Percy Jordan sneaked up behind New York Times journalist David Rosenbaum last January, how Jordan clubbed him with a plastic pipe, how he himself snatched Rosenbaum’s wallet as he fell, how they drove off in their dark Cadillac and used Rosenbaum’s credit cards to buy gas and tires — after they drove into Silver Spring and robbed someone else.
Hamlin and Jordan are behind bars now and will be for years. Hamlin had pleaded guilty; on Tuesday the jury convicted Jordan of murder in the first degree.
The systems designed to protect us were on display in this disheartening drama. One worked; one did not. As I watched Hamlin testify, I wondered what this tale told us about crime in our town. Are we safe? Can we learn anything?
The criminal justice system worked very well. Surveillance cameras caught Hamlin and Jordan using Rosenbaum’s credit cards. Police got the tapes, made still photos and put Hamlin’s face on TV. Hamlin’s family, an upstanding clan, urged him to go to the police. Detectives kept questioning him until they got the right story, which lead them to Percy Jordan.
Jordan, older than Hamlin and drifting on the streets, also turned himself in. Detectives kept collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. By the end of January, both men were indicted for murder; Hamlin pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Jordan, who went on trial this month.
Judge Erik Christian, known as a tough jurist among the many liberals on the local bench, presided. Jordan’s fate rested on Hamlin’s testimony. Would the jury buy his deal with prosecutors to testify against Jordan and accept his version?
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Haines skillfully guided Hamlin through his story. A statuesque prosecutor made for TV, Haines made Hamlin seem sympathetic.
Jordan’s attorney, Mike Starr, could not convince the jury that Hamlin was spinning the story only to reduce his jail time. Haines won; Jordan could get life.
But David Rosenbaum didn’t get to live because the other system at play failed him. The emergency medical apparatus, from the ambulance to the emergency room, botched his care. We can only hope the new mayor fixes this broken system.
What can we take away from this tragedy?
Crime migrates. Hamlin and Jordan drove north and east to Silver Spring and held up a woman. They could have driven across the Potomac and mugged someone in Virginia. D.C. is no longer crime central.
Are we safe? Not after dark. The lesson here is to stay alert. Percy Jordan told a friend he had “caught a cracker sleeping,” which means a white guy who wasn’t paying attention.
Be aware. Be very aware.
But why did Mike Hamlin, a kid from a good family, set out to rob someone? I hope to get the chance to ask.
Harry Jaffe has been covering the Washington area since 1985. E-mail him at hjaffe@washingtonian.com.
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:01 AM MST on Fri., Sep. 5, 2008 re: "Harry Jaffe: At Deal Junior High, ‘It’s The Teacher, Stupid’"
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Examiner Reader said:
I am a successful product of Deal JHS. Nothing could replace the experience I had there. Deal opened my eyes to the WORLD! Good looking out too Mrs. Suarez, you still there..from years back? I wouldn’t be here with out your pushing me to be ME!!!!
1 agree | 2 disagree
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J G G Coolidge "68" said:
Marion Barry has done more singlehandedly to create a Black middle class in Washington DC than any other single individual. As far as MR Jaffe's article is concerned, he does not remember, wasn't in DC OR was not affected, by DC Public Schools being the jobs program for the families of congressional staffers and elected officials while in town. DC had a carpetbagger led education system with not enough graduates of Miner College in leadership positions. Barry had faults, I see many people writing who live in glass houses. His singlemost political fault is not having the political will to mandate DC employees to remain DC residents. Thus they became disconnected with the community and its growth or safety. By the way for another who knows nothing than to complain Barry Farms was the first public project housing in DC built long before Mayor Barry entered DC. The nerve of you media and personal complainers who never did, fought, contributed or sacraficed for DC yet you enjoy and take
138 agree | 116 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
"when are we going to get past what Marion Barry did years ago and focus on today?" Pray tell, what has he done besides spend half his time in court for drug use and making headlines about his inability to manage his own finances? He certainly hasn't done anything for his Ward 8 constituency? Any new development has simply been a by product of having water views in his ward. Barry Farms - sonething he put name on - is a symbol for all that is wrong with this city. But say one thing for Barry, he got a good government job that he doesn't have to do anything but collect a check.
165 agree | 141 disagree
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Muckle John said:
For the love of god, why is this slug still holding public office?!
156 agree | 158 disagree
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GAB said:
"when are we going to get past what Marion Barry did years ago and focus on today?" When Marion Barry retires from the city council, and when all the lazy, chair-warming, and corrupt city employees he is responsible for hiring leave.
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Examiner Reader said:
well said
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Examiner Reader said:
when are we going to get past what Marion Barry did years ago and focus on today?
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Examiner Reader said:
Not sure why there records were mentioned as that does not mean that they ae guilty. Why did they get so little time? This officer never stated what she said first to get the response from the boys which is the reason why they were no lengthy sentences. Officers need to hold themselves to higher standards. These boys are being targeted because she's not satisfied. On 10/19 she had the entire 7 district outside the boys grandma house just because she thought one of the two boys were outside the house (confirmed by a 7 district captain. Neither was present and as a result an estimated 30 police officers are on this one street when they could have been somewhere else doing nothing. By the way these boys do live with their grandma. Was it convenient to pick these two out of 10 because she knew them. What happened to the other 8?
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Examiner Reader said:
Imagine that the "GRANDMA" calls to defend these kids, wonder where Mom and Dad are???? It's a matter of time and these kids will be in trouble again. Another kid brought up in a broken home blaming the streets for his decisions. Parents need to get a better grip on these kids.
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Examiner Reader said:
why doesn't she just move? get out of a bad neighborhood?
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Mike Licht said:
Is DC Government letting the bike vending corporation use city streets for free, like they let advertising companies use it for bus shelters, or is there DC funding?
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Examiner Reader said:
Harry Jaffe...here you go again....postulating: "...Our commercial real estate market is still one of the hottest in the country, pushing tax revenues up by 16 percent.." Jaffe...every year [5 years past] this city has had a surplus...starting at 90 million -2002 up to $130 million in 2005...HIGH PROPERTY TAXES!!!!!!! Black Families property taxes where higher than most families homes west Rock Creek Park. Jaffe...you failed to ask or Follow WHAT HAPPEN TO THE DISTRICT TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY.... JAFFE...YOU ARE TALKING SMOKE CIRCLES AND your background is definitely not FINANCE. CALVIN H. GURLEY
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EyesWideOpen said:
To Mayor Fenty: "Keep your promises. Fix the schools, train the jobless, repair the lousy roads and eat more leafy vegetables."
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Erica said:
This is just lovely. On a Monday afternoon it's nice to stop and appreciate Bambi and his still-living mom. I wish we could treat all of nature with this kind of respect.
285 agree | 310 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ms. D: Although the former superintendent had the support of Mayor Williams, why would the former superintendent need support to get textbooks? That is something superintendents all over the country do each year.
322 agree | 319 disagree
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Elizabeth Davis said:
I don't know whether to regard this story as a 'news' article or merely a propaganda campaigned to trash the outgoing superintendent. It would have been more beneficial for me to know how many schools did not receive books and the list of schools rather than the blatant fingerpointing at an administration that never had the underpinnings and mayoral support that our chancellor is afforded. While I'm happy that the Mayor is so willing to provide Ms. Rhee the support she'll need to improve services to schools and children, it would have been great if Dr. Janey and former DC public school administrations had this same level of support from the Mayor and council. If Ms. Rhee fails to turn the system around in two years, I wonder if she will also get a media lynching by the DC power brokers and the media that serves them.
328 agree | 321 disagree
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Mike Licht said:
>>Re: D.C. students will lack books on opening day - as usual<< Hilda L. Ortiz, DCPS Chief Academic Officer and Gloria L. Benjamin, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, issued updated Learning Standards for many subjects last week. Have these folks order textbooks NOW. In September, as I understand it, Fairfax County Public School teachers will choose from among county-approved textbooks for the 2008-2009 school year, and books will arrive by June 2008. Why can't DCPS do this?
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