Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for Baltimore State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy, expressed doubts about Zach Sowers’ brain injuries in an interview published in Exhibit A. In the interview she says among other things that:
- "He looked like a sleeping baby when he arrived” at the hospital.
- "The injuries were not consistent with this horrible pummeling—it appeared that when he fell down, he had collapsed after being hit."
- "He probably injured something in the fall or he had a pre-existing condition."
- "We had not wanted to go against this poor woman. Everything she says to you is not 100 accurate. He is gone and the opportunity to have questions answered was ruined by not having an autopsy."
The spokeswoman is the official voice of the Baltimore State’s Attorney office. These statements are at the very least inflammatory and inappropriate for the office of an elected official. This interview shows an amazing lack of public relations skill and only reinforces negative opinions about the Baltimore State’s Attorney office.
Anna Sowers is disturbed by this latest development.
Comments
absolutely terrible.
patricia, fire this idiot..
That's a disgrace to Jessamy, to the Sowers family, and to Baltimore. Of course, it also speaks poorly of Jessamy's judgment.
Time for Margaret Burns and Jessamy to go... they demonstrated they are failures.
Maybe Jessamy should have put some of that raise Owe'Malley gave her towards a competent spokesperson.
anna,
we're sorry you have to see this.
just terrible.
get elected.
you've got my vote.
Words can not express my outrage, and disgust at such extreme insensitivity, and the total lack of concern this woman has for a murder victim, and his family.
There are stupid people that wonder why Baltimore's population has been in a constant state of decline since the 60s.
The smart folks don't have to wonder. It's apparent in examples just like this one.
It's a crime that a State's Attorney's office has not the first clue about what the word justice means. Heck, I doubt they can even spell that word in city hall.
For many years now I have thought that Patricia Jessamy should have been a social worker rather than a prosecutor. The job of the States Attorney is to put people in jail, not excuse their actions. These words show complete disrespect for the Baltimore residents who pay taxes and go to work, rather than raise little thugs. It is disgusting that one of the worst street crimes in recent years is being discounted and ignored by those elected to serve as officers of the court. We need a law and order ticket in Baltimore -- the city where right now murder one = 8 years. My family tried the city experience -- now I want to be in Howard, Harford or northern Baltimore County.
Patricia Jessamy is an EPIC FAIL
I have been convinced for years that Baltimore's "leaders" are happy to live with a high level of crime for it gives them "justification" to keep taxes high. With attitudes like Jessamy's, coddling of criminals and no right to self-defense in Maryland (just try to get a gun permit for self-defense here), it is the perfect storm for rampant crime. WIth the economy souring, crime will get even worse. Zack and Anna Sowers deserve better, but so do all the citizens of Baltimore (especially those who voted against the powers that be)
That is awful. How is that woman in charge of anything. Between this incident and a guy I knew who witnessed a murder downtown and was shot in cold blood before the case went to trial the trial. I can't understand how anyone can live in the city that does not have too. I lasted 8 months couldn't do it anymore. Things are out of control there and the people in charge are not helping things.
We need actions not words. They tell us what they think we want to hear then don't act on any of it. I think societies short attention span is playing right into their hands.
Those comments are definitely typical of the incompetency and indifference that Baltimore's powerful elite have toward its criminals. Baltimore and it's so called criminal justice system are definitely run by the criminals.
But I did notice one statement and I'm going to be the devil's advocate here. It's obviously easy for me to say because I am not personally connected to this crime: Was there an autopsy done upon Zach's death? If not, why?
Reading this story makes me feel ashamed to be a baltimorean.
This does explain why criminals are never convicted in Baltimore City. When does Ms. Jessamy come up for re-election??
Pat Jessamy. What a POS! Keep the fight Anna. Expose them for what they are. Racist bigots!
So what do we do. Adam, this is where we as a group need some direction as to what is the most effective use of our anger and outrage. Clearly this woman should not have a job and while we are stuck with Jessamy, we must make certain that she does not get re-elected.
Do we write letters demanding that Ms. Burns be terminated? Do we write letters to Mayor Dixon, Council President Rawlings-Blake, Governor O'Malley?
What is the most effective use of our anger, because these comments and this, sorry for using the word, crap has to stop!
People like Anna Sowers, myself and nearly all of my neighbors are sick of being the ones footing the highest property tax bills in the city and always getting you know whated on.
What's the most offensive is that you're the only one who picked this story up so far. No mention on the 4 local news stations, no mention in The Sun. Nothing.
This whole thing just makes me sick!
Words cannot begin to describe my disgust at this moment. Quite frankly, it's a wonder anyone in the Baltimore State's Attorney's office can sleep at night. These thoughts should have never come out of your mouth and therefore should have never made it to print. Any thought given to what you say before you say it. These comments are disgusting and repulsive. A young man died because of a violent beating that no one person on this earth deserves. Would your comments have been the same if it were your new husband, brother, son, family member? Does these comments give justification to the fact that you're not effective at your position within the City Government?
Is this idiot woman saying how dare Zach Sowers fall down and hurt his head after being mugged, beaten, and knocked down? Did the doctors lie all those months ago that he had mugging injuries? Hey, idiot woman, he fell down because he was pushed, shoved, or knocked to the ground while being surrounded by animal citizens of Baltimore. Idiot woman, I hope you lose your job.
Ms. Jessamy and Ms. Burns need to be fired immediately. No other questions asked.
KAC - I don't think there would have really been a point to have a necropsy in the end. It was already known what had happened to Zach -the confessions were made in a court of law. The damage in his brain had been well assessed over all those months. The offenders can never be convicted of Zach's murder so there was probably nothing to gain from it. What would his family learn that they didn't already know? Ms. Burns is a complete idiot.
Down with Jessamy!
Who paid Margaret Burns off?
How insensitive and crass!
Then again this is the same woman who made odd comments when witness, Carl Lackl, was shot in front of his Rosedale home.
Glad I live in Baltimore County.
Put a fork in Baltimore it is done.
Get out of town Jenna Bush.
Burns has stated that she made those comments from the information Jessamy provided her.
What a foolish puppet and a worthless leader!
I've got news for you Peggy... Margaret Burns lives with you in Baltimore County (Phoenix, to be exact). While you bellyache and continue to bash the city from the confines of your suburban utopia, I will work with my fellow Patterson Park neighbors to ensure that she is ousted in the 2010 Democratic Primary.
I meant to say "ensure that Patricia Jessamy is ousted in the 2010 Democratic Primary".
Anyone who ever votes for Pat Jessamy again is either a criminal or a lunatic. I volunteered for Fogleman in '06, and I will do it again in '10.
How in the world can Margaret Burns say this. How would she feel if it was her family member that this had happen to. The City never should of taken a plea bargin in a case like this. They will be out before you know it. The jails are sooo over crowded, they will get time serve within the next year and be out to do it again..SHAME ON BALTIMORE CITY AND THE STATE'S ATTORNEYS OFFICE OF BALTIMORE CITY..............
I think you should all write Jessamy a letter.
the only thing that fat pat and her band of clowns can do right is cash their inflated pay checks. the office is a laughing stock. lots of pleas and not one death penalty. another reason that baltimore city is the dump that it is.
BALTIOMRE CITY, THE CITY THAT BLEEDS, BREEDS BUT CANNOT READS.
How dare Margaret Burns be so insensitive with those comments about sleeping like a baby and a pre exisiting medical condition. Anna and the rest of Zach's family has suffered for a year now and will continue to suffer. The State's Attorney office added insult to injury. I wonder how Margaret would feel if that was her nephew who had been beaten senseless.
I'm thinking of a 4 letter word that starts with "c" and ends with "t"
Burns is an incompetent. I was googling and I found this in an article from March in teh Examiner: "[Jessamy’s spokeswoman, Margaret Burns: There have been cases where a person is a convicted felon and they’re walking down the street with a long gun, and we’ve had to throw out those charges in state court. You can be a convicted felon and legally possess a shotgun in Maryland.]"
http://www.examiner.com/a-1297748~Jessamy___Convoluted__laws_hurt_crime_fighting_in_Baltimore_City.html
She let a felon go!!! Maryland law plainly states a felon in possession of ANY firearm, including a rifle, is committing a felony and is facing another five year felony. The incompetence is amazing!!
Article - Criminal Law
§ 5-622.
(a) In this section, "firearm" includes:
(1) a handgun, antique firearm, rifle, shotgun, short-barreled shotgun, and short-barreled rifle, as those words are defined in § 4-201 of this article;
(2) a machine gun, as defined in § 4-401 of this article; and
(3) a regulated firearm, as defined in § 5-101 of the Public Safety Article.
(b) A person may not possess, own, carry, or transport a firearm if that person has been convicted of:
(1) a felony under this title;
(2) a crime under the laws of another state or of the United States that would be a felony under this title if committed in this State;
(3) conspiracy to commit a crime referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection; or
(4) an attempt to commit a crime referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(c) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.
Need I say more. What a B_ _ _ H. Hell is waiting for you. Start packing.
Ms. Jessamy,
It is time to say go bye to Ms. Burns. In the end, she will be your downfall. You are doing a great job. Don't allow Ms. Burns to ruin your good name.
Didn't you know, there is a new section in the Annotated Code. It is called Jessamy Burns codes. This is a special section that is written which allows Jessamy to create her own laws in the city. Burns is responsible for enforcing the law.
It is time to elect an official who will enforce the real laws on the books. The entire staff in Jessamy's shop should be fired.
Burns should have been fired years ago. Someone should do a story on "Why Burns left former Lt. Gov. Kennedy-Towson Office". I am sure there is a story there.
It is time for Jessamy to go. She is THE top reason we continue to have a crime problem in this city. Punish criminals, stop pandering to the lowest common denominator. What will the city do when all the taxpayers leave.
This whole thing makes my blood boil. The fact that the little bastards that killed Zach Sowers practically got let off. That this kind of thing happens so frequently in Baltimore City and the victims are the ones whose names are trashed and are scrutinized.
Then, to top it off- these DISGUSTING, stupid, off-base, sickening, horrible, insensitive, comments by Jessamy's mouth-piece!
Seriously, as city residents who want this city to be a better place, who moved here to help clean it up, what are we to do about the corruption and nepotism in place in the Baltimore State Attorney's office?!
Waiting for the next election to oust Jessamy and her stupid, cold-hearted, insensitive, horrible spokesperson is just not an option.
But what can we do?
Whatever it is, we need to unite to do it. This just can't go on. I truly do not understand how these people sleep at night. Oh yeah, it's because they go out to the county and have security all day long in the State Buildings when they are in the city.
Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.
Response to ML Arthur - M Burns may have been correct. Following the passage of the 2000 gun act---
the 2000 act made it illegal for felons to carry “regulated firearms,” a category that excludes shotguns and rifles. The governor’s proposal would have extended the five-year sentence to felons who possess any firearm.
http://www.myguns.net/Articles/gvaeffects.htm
Without reservation Burns should be fired. She is in no position to speak about medical conditions. There are many individuals that laying in hospital beds nationwide and right in Baltimore that will never recover from their brain injury. Babies that have been killed from "shaking baby syndrome" sometimes are brought in with respiratory problems and no outward signs of violence, however, once a doctor examines the baby,and gets imaging it becomes clear the baby's brain has been injured. My own brother was killed on a motorcyle. He was transported to shock Trauma. Other than a little cut on his right temporal region but that didn't change the fact that after 27 hours he was declared "brain dead". A breathing tube in one's throat should have given Burns a signal this man's brain wasn't sending the signal to his body to breathe. I believe Burns should be fired and Jessamhy should be asked to pack as well. she is responsible for what her spokesperson spits out of her mouth. Not to mention they have consistently failed to successfully prosecute many criminals and when they are put on the spot for their poor performance they blame the police dept. saying they did poor investigations or the reports weren't written well. My condolescences to Ms. Sowers. We live in Ha. Cty but followed her husband's progress. As citizens of Maryland and the wife of a Baltimore City Police Officer I wish her and the city my best. Hopefully, with movements like Anna Sowers people will be able to walk the streets of Baltimore without fearing that some THUG will come from nowhere and do harm. That won't happen until there are individuals in the State's Attorney offfice that are aggressive and are not afraid to go after these parasites that prey on innocent people.
If one were to look at convictions and harsh punishment of criminals compare Baltimore City's to Baltimore County it is plain to see Jessamy's office is not doing their job. It is sad to say if one has to be a victim of crime pray it is in another county so they can get some justice. Apparently, no one is sending the correct message to criminals, one that agressively goes after, punishes harshly and at time if heinous enough is not afraid to seek the death penalty. Jessamy doesn't have the heart or the guts to handle her job. The violence that continues in the city is a direct reflection of her poor performance.
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