Free Republic

Three teenagers have been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a 4-year-old girl as she rode her scooter near her grandmother's home early this week, authorities said. Laquan Waters, 18, Tyrese Pearson, 17, and Roosevelt Stevens, 15, have been charged with attempted murder in the shooting about 4:55 p.m. Monday of Khalise Weatherspoon, said Cook Count state's attorney's spokeswoman Tandra Simonton. Khalise was the fourth child age 7 or younger to be shot and wounded in Chicago in July.

SPRING, Texas – Authorities say a 30-year-old woman admitted she shot a young mother and abducted her newborn son in a town near Houston. Verna McClain, a registered nurse, is charged with capital murder in the killing of Kala Marie Golden in Spring, Texas, which is north of Houston, Tuesday. Witnesses saw the shooter repeatedly shoot Golden and drive away with her 3-day-old son, Keegan. Authorities found Keegan late Tuesday night.

As Sarah Kreager, 26, tried to sit down on a Baltimore City bus Tuesday, police say, a middle-schooler told her she couldn’t. When she attempted to take another seat, a middle-schooler wouldn’t let her. Finally, according to police, Kreager just sat down. She was “immediately attacked” by nine students — three females and six males — from Robert Poole Middle School. They punched and kicked her at 2:59 p.m. at the intersection of 33rd Street and Chestnut Avenue, according to Maryland Transit Administration police. Kreager was dragged off the bus and her boyfriend, Troy Ennis, attempted to get her back...

A black firefighter admitted he placed a knotted rope and threatening note with a drawing of a noose in an East Baltimore fire station last month.The firefighter has since been suspended for other performance-related issues, but will also likely face additional punishment for his act, officials said. City officials said the man admitted to the hoax and will not face criminal charges.Officials identified the man as Donald Maynard, a firefighter-paramedic apprentice who is black. The incident sparked outrage and led to a federal investigation into charges of racism. It was also the latest in a series of other incidents over...

See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hej4UTITDQI Two stories have been filled on this and the second one contradicts the first(big surprise/s). Second one alleges that the fight is NOT racially motivated (Another big surprise/s). Both stories here. http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?s=7117439

A Klein couple who had claimed their house was burned in a hate crime admitted staging the blaze to collect on insurance. Nicholas Gatlin, 31, pleaded guilty Monday to arson and insurance fraud and was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison, said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Steve Baldassano. His wife, Tracey Gatlin, also 31, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and received four years deferred adjudication. They also must pay $13,000 in restitution to Allstate, the company that insured the home, Baldassano added. The couple claimed their house in the 9800 block of Tassel Brook was torched...

HoustonChronicle.com -- http://www.HoustonChronicle.com | Section: Local & State Aug. 21, 2003, 10:02AM Hate crime 'victims' admit to arson scheme By DALE LEZON Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle A Klein couple who claimed their house was burned in a hate crime admitted staging the blaze to collect on insurance. Nicholas Gatlin, 31, pleaded guilty Monday to arson and insurance fraud and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Steve Baldassano. His wife, Tracey Gatlin, also 31, pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and received four years deferred adjudication. They also must pay $13,000 in restitution to Allstate,...