Black and White and Thin Blue Lines

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"We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.” Black and White and Thin Blue Lines is an original podcast created by two former police officers, Serge Antonin and Clarke Ahlers, who are inspired by the hopeful words of the Reverend Martin L

Clarke Ahlers & Serge Antonin


    • Jul 13, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 117 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Black and White and Thin Blue Lines

    The 25th Amendment and Presidential Disability

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 36:48


    Join summer intern and law clerk Lauren Pountnay, Serge Antonin, and Clarke Ahlers as they veer off the beaten path of criminal justice issues to discuss something that everybody is talking about: the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution.  This isn't a political diatribe. One (or maybe two) of the hosts make reference to apparent shortfalls of President Biden. Still, this is a fair and balanced discussion of the constitutional process of dealing with presidential disability. We hope you will listen, or watch the "Vodcast" on YouTube. 

    Say her name: Rachel Morin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024 42:21


    Say her name: Rachel Morin. On August 5th, 2023, Rachel -- a mother of five -- was murdered while exercising on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Hartford County, Maryland. Rachel's family turned to Maryland attorney Randolph Rice, the managing partner of Rice, Murtha & Psoras for assistance. In today's episode, Randolph Rice describes the efforts he and Morin family made to bring Rachel's killer to justice. Recently, Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was charged with Rachel's murder. Randolph Rice is a well known and respected courtroom advocate. The Rachel Morin matter also proves him to be one hell of a victim's advocate!

    Live from the United States Courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware: The Biden Trial

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2024 44:24


    Join Serge and Clarke and special guest Lauren Pountnay for this podcast about the Hunter Biden trial. Lauren is a rising senior at N.C. State. She is Clarke's intern/law clerk for the summer of 2024. Lauren and Clarke attended one day of the Hunter Biden trial in Delaware and are interviewed by Serge about the trial. If you follow this podcast, you may be surprised at Clarke's analysis but whether you listen to this podcast regularly or are a new listener, this is an interesting assessment of one of the nation's biggest trials.

    Diddy's Bad Boy Record

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024 35:16


    In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss a video of Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulting Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura in the hallway of the L.A. InterContinental Hotel in 2016 as well as the recent Homeland Security search warrant raids on Diddy owned properties in Los Angeles and Miami. Clarke offers Diddy's team some legal advice. Serge disagrees. In the second portion of the podcast, the hosts discuss the defunded and demoralized Chicago Police Department's abject failure to timely respond to a woman's 911 call for help during a home invasion robbery.  And ... this is the first podcast (Season IV, Episode 2) that Serge and Clarke visually record the podcast have upload to YouTube. This may not be exciting to our longtime listeners, but to an old dog like Clarke and a "young adult" like Serge, this is good stuff! A special thank you to Lauren P -- go Wolfpack!!!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU4KpMpJ7RE

    Season IV -- Episode One: Okaloosa Shooting Death & Marilyn Mosby's Sentencing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2024 44:55


    Serge and Clarke begin Season IV with a discussion of the tragic shooting death of a United States Airman in his own home by a Deputy Sheriff in Okaloosa, Florida. Then Serge and Clarke discuss the efforts of Marilyn Mosby and her supporters, including the NAACP, to have the President of the United States pardon her before her sentencing in federal court. Clarke is okay with it; Serge ... not so much! It's an interesting episode with the podcast hosts mostly in disagreement. Where do you stand? 

    Artificial Intelligence Used in Genuine Stupidity and Crime!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 26:10


    In Baltimore County, Maryland a man has been arrested and accused of creating and publishing a recording that purported to be a high school principal making offensive racial remarks to the vice-principal. This is the new world of artificial intelligence and is the topic of a discussion between Serge and Clarke. Be assured: this episode is a genuine Black and White and Thin Blue Lines podcast. Avoid cheap imitations!

    The Kenny Somers Story -- A Baltimore Tale -- Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2024 39:03


    In part 2 of the podcast, Kenny Somers reflects on the arrest, his incarceration, and his thoughts on the past and future of Baltimore. 

    The Kenny Somers Story -- a Baltimore Tale of a Broken Criminal Justice System

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2024 47:15


    Imagine the following story. "John Doe" steals a car -- or more accurately, John Doe steals the same car two times. The car owner, Kenny Somers, a professional automobile recycler, recovers the car the first time and attempts to recover the car a second time. But John Doe has other plans and tries to kill Kenny Somers. Somers fights back and prevails. Police are called. While police are investigating, Somers kicks John Doe in the head as John Doe lay on a sidewalk. This is part one of a two part series of how the criminal justice non-system in Baltimore treated John Doe, Kenny Somers, and the responding Baltimore City Police Officer. This podcast is worth a listen!

    The Tragic Death of NYPD Police Officer Jonathan Diller

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2024 33:54


    Serge and Clarke comment in the murder of Ofc. Diller and update the listeners on renewed efforts on the Columbia Project. Worth a listen. 

    The Inside Skinny on a Jury Trial in Manatee County, Florida

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2024 48:45


    Join Serge and Clarke as they share Nathan Steelman's experience sitting as a juror in judgment of a woman charged with domestic violence in Florida.  You have heard the expression "I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6." (Clarke disagrees: he would rather be carried by six than judged by 12).  But as you will learn, that expression doesn't work in Manatee County, Florida.  This episode is interesting, entertaining, and informative. Enjoy. 

    Stand Your Ground Doesn't Legalize Illegal Deadly Force

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2024 44:15


    Serge and Clarke celebrate Easter. We have friends who have a blessed Ramadan. We have friends who we will wish Happy Passover in several weeks. We have re-uploaded an episode. We will be back next week with a brand new episode.In rural New York, a 65-year old man fired two shots from his porch killing a young woman in a car who was lost and turned around in his driveway. In Missouri, an 84-year old man fired two shots from his front door injuring a teenager who rang his bell, mistakenly at the wrong address to pick up his younger brothers. In both cases, activists allege that stand your grounds laws are in part responsible for these tragic circumstances. Serge and Clarke discuss the cases and dismiss stand your ground arguments, but disagree on the lessons from these cases.

    If Only There Was a Way for Civilians to Experience "Shoot Don't Shoot."

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 33:29


    Law Enforcement firearms training has historically emphasized reaction time and marksmanship. But the decision to shoot or don't shoot is the most fundamental choice  the police officer faces in highly stressful situations. For the most part, civilians (who sit in judgment of the police) have not had large scale access to simulator training. In this week's episode, join Serge and Clarke and special guest Chris Mabe, a Maryland Realtor, to discuss Chris's recent experience at Guntry, an Owings Mills, Maryland Indoor Shooting Facility. Chris and some of his staff participated in Guntry's Simulator training course which is unusually realistic. In fact, it is painful to make the wrong decision in more ways than one.  

    Seize the Day But Don't Necessarily Take the Bonus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2024 34:59


    At the request of a listener, Serge and Clarke offer their advice to young people without law enforcement experience who wish to apply to become police officers. People: this is solid advice from two men who have been there.

    Seven Seconds and One Shot Into a Burglary Investigation and Melvin Jay is Dead.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2024 41:53


    February 1, 2024 -- Prince George's County, Maryland. Prince George's County Police Officer Braxton Shelton is dispatched to a burglary in progress at an apartment in Suitland. He arrives within a minute of the dispatch, finds the apartment door ajar, and enters by himself. Seven seconds later Shelton fires one shot killing Melvin Jay, who almost certainly was lawfully in the apartment. Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz released Shelton's body worn camera. The Office of the Attorney General's Independent Investigation Division is investigating the fatal shooting. Is this a case of a justified homicide or criminal, civil, and/or administrative misconduct? Serge and Clarke comment upon the case and Serge offers an idea he believes may have prevented the unfortunate outcome. 

    What's Worse Than a Criminal With a Handgun? A Criminal with a Glock andGlock Switch.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2024 39:46


    What is worse than a plethora of undereducated, jobless, and unfocused young men with semi-automatic handguns shooting at each other in cities across America? Answer: A group of undereducated, jobless, and unfocused young men with machine-guns shooting at each other in cities across America.Welcome to the $50 "Glock switch." This small, inexpensive, and easily obtained part turns a Glock semi-automatic pistol into an automatic pistol or "machine pistol." In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss the increasing problem of the Glock switch. 

    The CSI Checklist Phone App is the Preeminent Tool for Criminal Investigators

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2024 42:34


    There IS something new under the sun! Tom Mauriello, the mastermind of FORENSIQ, has organized decades of law enforcement expertise in a CSI phone app that is exceptional, affordable, and practical. Any criminal justice stakeholder can access an investigative blueprint for every type of investigation from arson to mass casualty event. In this episode of Black and White and Thin Blue Lines, Tom sits down with Clarke and explains his incredible professional experience, the idea for a systemic approach to investigations, and the development of this modern technology. 

    Our 100th Episode -- Serge, Clarke, and our Listeners Reach a Milestone

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2024 36:30


    The Black and White and Thin Blue Lines podcast began in spring of 2021 as the effort of Serge Antonin and Clarke Ahlers. The podcast concerns itself with issues of criminal justice, particularly at the intersection of race in America. Since then, Serge and Clarke have learned the technology of podcasting, produced and edited 100 episodes (to date), met wonderful guests and enjoyed the positive feedback of thousands of people who have listened to one or more episodes. First of all: thank you! In this episode, Serge and Clarke briefly reminisce about how the podcast came to be, and update our listeners on several of the important stories we have discussed in our podcast production. Serge and Clarke commit to more episodes to come and to continue to strive to be a voice of reason in the cacophony of criminal justice. 

    Maryland Fights Crime by Taxing Law Abiding Citizens and More.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2024 42:24


    The Maryland General Assembly proposes an excise tax on the sale of guns and ammunition, the Howard County Council debates a ceasefire in Gaza, and several state senators propose to eliminate good time credits for a very small number of convicted felons. Is our government fiddling while our community burns? Serge and Clarke add their two cents in the latest episode. 

    A NY City Cop Gets a Complaint When He Doesn't Write a Ticket

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 31:42


    Dateline Harlem: Friday night January 26, 2024 about 6:30 P.M.  A NY City police officer stops city councilman Yosef Salaam for unlawful tinted windows on a BMW sedan. The officer was polite and professional and sent Mr. Salaam on his way after Salaam, the driver, identified himself as a city councilman. Professional courtesy? Presumably so. After all, why else would Mr. Salaam identify himself as a city councilman unless he wanted courtesy. But Salaam was not satisfied with professional courtesy. He thinks the stop was unwarranted and is reversing his decision to participate in police ride-alongs to better understand the job. Bottom line: no good deed goes unpunished.

    Teach Your Children Well

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2024 38:26


    In 1968, Graham Nash, later of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, wrote a song about the difficult relationship he had with his father who was sent to jail for receiving stolen goods. The song “Teach Your Children” has beautiful lyrics including this stanza: “Teach your children well, Their father's hell did slowly go by, Feed them on your dreams, The one they pick's the one you'll know by.” In Michigan this week, the first of two trials of the parents of a convicted school shooter — Ethan Crumbley — began. Serge and Clarke discuss the legal issue of proximate causation and the morality play which is — like the song by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young — about what James and Jennifer Crumbley  taught their child Ethan. 

    Cop Flash Bangs Are Bad For Babies . . . or maybe not.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2024 29:37


    On the afternoon of January 10, 2024, more than 20 police officers in tactical gear carrying long arms and deploying flash bangs served a search warrant in Elyria, Ohio. Sure ... the usual stuff. You know. The guy the police were looking for hadn't lived at the residence the cops trashed for more than a year. Oh, and there was another hiccup. It seems the police deployed a flash bang grenade that blew out a glass window over a bassinet where a 17-month old baby was breathing on a ventilator. Not to worry. The Police Department issued a press release assuring the public that no baby was injured in the fiasco (because flash bangs don't use caustic chemicals). In other news, the baby was admitted to the hospital for treatment of his non-injuries. Don't let the baby's picture fool you; the child always looked like that. Clarke vents and Serge analyzes the unintended battery on the baby and the intentional assault on our intelligence.

    A Man in Las Vegas Tries to Kill the Judge Who Sentences Him for a Crime of Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2024 37:32


    Serge often observes that America is declining into anarchy. Clarke is sometimes pessimistic. Serge and Clarke bring their inclinations to the story of a young man who jumped the bench in a Las Vegas courtroom and beat up the judge who was sentencing him to prison for beating up a person with a baseball bat. What the heck is in the water in this country? Also, New York Governor declares war on shoplifting. Welcome Governor to the chaos you and others have created. 

    Maryland Police Claim Constitutional Protection for Juveniles Makes Their Job Harder

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2024 32:37


    Almost six decades after the United States Supreme Court's landmark Miranda decision, police administrators in Maryland are claiming that a 2022 Maryland law that requires police adhere to Miranda during juvenile arrests is making their job more difficult. In a now familiar whine, our state and local governments blame their inability to fight crime on a document designed to protect citizens from the overreach of government. In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss the Maryland Child Interrogation Protection Act. This episode is a counterbalance to official state propaganda. 

    The Baltimore Police Commissioner Orders Every Officer to Empathy Instruction.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2023 44:18


    Police Commissioner Worley has implemented 8 hours of empathy instruction for every Baltimore Police Officer. In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss the instruction. Serge begins with the valid premise that it is a good idea for victims of trauma -- like most police officers and many Baltimoreans--to learn understanding. On his part, Clarke is a bit more "Doctor, Heal Thyself." 

    Mayor v ATF: Who cares who wins we just want to see a lot of hits!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2023 34:13


    This week, the Mayor of Baltimore filed suit in federal court against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It turns out that ATF sends gun trace information to the Police Commissioner but does not send the same information to the Mayor. Rather than figure a workaround, the Mayor -- represented by Everytown Law -- filed suit. The lawsuit is largely a press release in the form of a lawsuit pretending that Mayor Scott is stymied in his war on crime by federal authorities. Serge and Clarke discuss this farce. 

    The Dust Settles on Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 50:55


    For three decades, the United States Congress has passed laws to fund forensic examinations in sexual assault cases. But it  doesn't seem to matter.  The country is awash in untested rape kits while repetitive sex offenders continue to violate. In fact, Maryland leads the nation in rape kit backlogs at the forensic lab. But at least the rape kits make it to the lab in Maryland. In New York, cops ameliorate the crime lab backlog with a new strategy: just leave the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination kits uncollected from the hospital. In this week's episode Serge and Clarke discuss SAFE nursing with Marcia "T" and she provides insight into the process, the protection afforded to victims, and a great way to re-think the "she asked for it" bias. 

    Is the federal government finally satisfied with the Derek Chauvin sentence?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2023 32:04


    After Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd, the federal government permitted anarchists to loot and burn communities across the country. The State of Minnesota successfully prosecuted Chauvin and he was sentenced to 22 years in prison. But the federal government was not satisfied. A federal grand jury was convened. Chauvin was federally indicted. Chauvin pled guilty to civil rights violations and a federal prison sentence was imposed to run concurrently with his state sentence. Then the federal government moved Chauvin to Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tucson where a former FBI informant stabbed Chauvin 22 time before correctional officers intervened. Did the federal government ship Chauvin to a notoriously dangerous and poorly run federal prison and permit Chauvin to be stabbed for the same reason it let anarchists loot and burn communities? Please listen to this episode of Black and White and Thin Blue Lines and you be the judge.

    Not All Prosecutors Think Alike; Some Thoughts on the Marilyn Mosby Case

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2023 43:32


    The United States Attorney for the District of Maryland successfully indicted and convicted former Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby of two counts of perjury. In this weeks episode, Jack Mitchell -- a former police officer who worked for Ms. Mosby as an Assistant State's Attorney -- joins Serge and Clarke to discuss Mosby's perjury conviction. Two of three commentators think this case was a political hit job.  It might surprise you to learn who thinks the prosecution was righteous.

    Is it the Shoplifting Season, or Are We a Culture Devolving into Anarchy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2023 34:31


    Who would have thought that in 2023, shoplifting could become a major crime in the United States. Wait -- stop. Not everyone believes that shoplifting is even on the rise. But we do! In this episode Serge and Clarke discuss the changing  social conventions surrounding the crime of shoplifting as further evidence of a breakdown of cultural norms and further proof that we are devolving into anarchy. 

    The Plot Thickens in the Kashef Khan MSP Termination Case

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 31:18


    Kashef Khan was the Maryland State Trooper of the Year until he was fired for allegedly writing a false report. The "falsity" in the report was the location of a traffic stop which Khan accurately documented in many ways. Khan uploaded a slightly inaccurate longitude and latitude location from a reporting system that MSP admits was NOT designed for highway use and may generate inaccurate locations. While Kashef Khan's case works its way through the Maryland appellate court process, Khan revealed to the Office of the Attorney General that he had tape recorded the interrogation that MSP alleged it could not locate. And lo and behold, Khan's copy of that interrogation contradicts the testimony of the interrogators before the Administrative Hearing Board and in statements made by them to Internal Affairs. The Maryland State Prosecutor has referred the case to MSP for administrative investigation. 

    The Curious Case of Marlon Koushall

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2023 41:41


    You can always find three things in Baltimore: Natty Boh beer, Old Bay seasoning & ludicrous "justice." In this week's podcast, Serge and Clarke discuss the case of Baltimore Police Sergeant Marlon Koushall whose videotaped conduct during a late night arrest were simultaneously deemed completely consistent with the rules, policies, procedures and training of the Baltimore Police Department AND a crime of misdemeanor assault and misconduct in office. The Baltimore Police Department exonerated the officer; the Office of the State's Attorney successfully prosecuted the officer. Listen to this episode to find out Koushall's status and the status of the former Baltimore City State's Attorney who approved Koushall's prosecution. Karma -- as they say -- is a bitch. 

    Should the FBI be Downsized or Deconstructed?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2023 35:47


    In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss the popular idea among conservatives for downsizing the FBI and deconstructing it into as many as five independent investigative agencies, each with a focused interest in the type of cases being investigated. Clarke says, as it stands today, just writing the word FBI into the title likely invites the oversized, bloated, and sometimes unfocused agency to download and dissect this episode, especially if the FBI learns that Clarke attended a Catholic Mass in Latin, or a school board meeting. Serge says -- Director Wray, if you hear this podcast, please give Serge a call about Clarke.

    WTH is the Balkanization of Law Enforcement?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2023 35:38


    In three recent incidents, the police got it right and prevented serious mass casualty events. In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss how the number of police agencies impacts the ability of sharing information and investigating criminal incidents. Clarke -- but not Serge -- thinks it is a miracle that the police got it right in one cross-state proactive police response.

    A Maryland Circuit Court Judge is Murdered in His Driveway

    Play Episode Play 34 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 41:30


    The Honorable Andrew F. Wilkinson, Judge of the Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland, was murdered in his driveway on the evening of October 19, 2021. Serge and Clarke discuss this shocking crime, assess how social media was tracking the law enforcement investigation, and offer thoughts on the root causes -- and a possible incremental solution -- to this specific type of violence.

    Sage Advice from Baltimore's Unrivaled "Barber's Son."

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2023 48:58


    Reverend P. M. Smith, a "barber's son" and Pastor of Baltimore's Huber Memorial Church, shares the wisdom of his life with Serge and Clarke. Reverend Smith never fails to challenge all of us to be better people. Please listen to be inspired.

    Tu Culpa Part 2 -- Can an Attorney General Issue an Executive Bill of Attainder?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2023 31:19


    Tu Culpa is a Latin phrase meaning "your fault." In part 2 of the podcast on the (Maryland) Attorney General's Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Serge and Clarke and special guest FJ Collins, discuss whether the AG's report is fair, the impact of expanded statutes of limitation, and whether the Attorney General of Maryland, as part of the Executive Branch of government, has done what is constitutionally prohibited by the Legislative Branch of government: issued a Bill of Attainder.  

    Tu Culpa -- The Attorney General Points the Finger of Fault at the Archdiocese of Baltimore

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 41:06


    Most Catholics, and many lawyers, know the meaning of the Latin phrase, "mea culpa." The phrase is literally translated as "through my fault." It is the foundation of a traditional prayer sometimes recited during the Penitential Act of the Roman Catholic Mass: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Recently, Maryland's Attorney General issued a report that calls to mind a less well-known Latin phrase: "tu culpa." Your fault! Our special guest, attorney F.J. Collins, takes issue with the AG's segregation of liability and joins Serge and Clarke for an interesting, and perhaps provocative, two-part podcast on the Attorney General's Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

    How Does Inaction Merit a 173-Page "After Action" Report?

    Play Episode Play 20 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 23, 2023 34:59


    On July 8, 2023, Serge and Clarke discussed the South Baltimore Brooklyn Day Party that ended when 30 people were shot. Two died. On August 30th, the BPD and other city agencies issued an “After Action Report.” Join Serge and Clarke and our distinguished guest, Colonel Osborne “Moe” Robinson, Baltimore Police Department (ret.) and former Chief of the York City Police Department for a candid discussion about the misnamed poorly named report. 

    Would you like to pose for a picture with Danilo Cavalcante? Get in line.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2023 33:44


    The "picture of the week" was a group shot of heavily armed law enforcement officers surrounding the bleeding, captured and pathetic Danilo (or "Danelo") Cavalcante in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Taking and posting the "trophy" photograph violated the rules of many of the law enforcement agencies that participated in the escapee's capture. But lawmen breaking the rules didn't matter to the Governor of Pennsylvania or Lieutenant Colonel Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.  One your hosts found the picture and press conference appropriate; the other found it appalling. After listening, please let us know where you stand and why. 

    Why has everyone heard of George Floyd and no one has heard of Ta'Kiya Young?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2023 39:03


    On August 24, 2023, a police officer of the 14-member Blendon Township (Ohio) Police Department shot and killed Ta'Kiya Young, a 21-year-old woman being detained for suspicion of shoplifting alcohol from a grocery store. The body worn camera evidence shows Young operating a vehicle in the parking lot of the grocery store during daylight hours. She doesn't do what the two arriving police officers tell her to do. With one officer at the driver's window, and another officer standing in front of the vehicle on the driver's side, Ms. Young turns the steering wheel of the car as far to the right as she can turn it and slowly begins moving the car forward. The Blendon Township officer standing in front of the vehicle fires one shot at close range through the windshield striking and killing the woman. Serge and Clarke discuss this case and -- at the end of the discussion -- you will wonder why this case hasn't enraged America as much as the George Floyd case did.

    How to Make a Living While Under Federal Indictment and Ordered Not to Possess a Gun.

    Play Episode Play 20 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 2, 2023 40:19


    In this episode, Serge and Clarke acknowledge that Frederick County, Maryland is openly competing with Baltimore City, Maryland for the most upside down criminal justice non-system in America. Frederick County Sheriff "Chuck" Jenkins is under federal indictment accused of lying about machine gun purchases, Jenkins was required to turn over all of his guns to federal law enforcement. He is ordered by a federal judge not to carry a gun as a condition of his pre-trial release. So, what is he doing for a living? Why he reinstated himself as Sheriff of Frederick County, Maryland. When the going gets weird, the weird get going!

    You're in trouble or, if you prefer, urine trouble.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2023 33:05


    In this -- the 75th episode of Black and White and Thin Blue Lines -- Serge and Clarke discuss the public nuisance offense of urinating in public in the context of two cases: one in Mississippi and one in Texas, You decide if race was a motivating factor for what happened. Also, "you're in" and "urine" aren't the only homonyms or bad puns in this episode. Serge discusses the problem of people urinating in Baltimore alleys and Clarke discusses "Ally's law" in Texas and elsewhere. If you enjoy this podcast, please recommend it to a friend. Thank you. 

    Judges Gone Wild

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2023 56:16


    The recent controversy and criticism of Justice Clarence Thomas was the subject of enough off-air debate by Serge and Clarke that they turned it into an episode. What are some of the public mistakes (or worse) by Judges, and what should we as citizens do about it. 

    Training Maryland Police Officers in the 21st Century

    Play Episode Play 40 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 12, 2023 53:55


    Join Serge and Clarke for a discussion with our special guest, Michael ("Mike") Johnson, who shares his smart, committed, and motivated view of training men and women to be law enforcement officers in this day and age. This is a must listen episode. Mike has unique ideas that ought to become the national standard for de-escalation and promoting confidence in law enforcement. Several of his ideas changed the way that Serge and Clarke think about the future of law enforcement training. This episode may change your thinking as well.

    Is it possible to be arrested in the United States by a non-citizen of the United States?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2023 40:34


    The title of this episode asks a question that few have ever thought about. Is it possible to be arrested in the United States by a non-citizen of the United States? It is! But listen anyway because Serge and Clarke discuss listener mail, and the topic of non-citizen police officers in this episode of Black and White and Thin Blue Lines.

    LA County Deputy Sheriffs Apparently Never Got the Memo.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2023 33:29


    On June 24, 2023, two LA County Deputy Sheriffs arrested two persons in Lancaster, CA under confusing circumstances. The first arrest was of a man that the deputies told was being detained for investigation. He was arrested -- but the deputies conducted no investigation from detention to arrest. The second arrest was of a woman who recorded the police detaining (or arresting) the man. One of the deputies threw the woman to the ground, put his hand and knee on her neck, and pepper sprayed her from a distance of about 12 inches. As far as Serge and Clarke can determine, he did this to stop her from recording the deputies even though the deputies were recording the incident on body worn cameras in a parking lot with security cameras. A quick note of caution. In this episode, we play about five minutes of the body worn camera audio, which includes a small amount of cursing. Please be aware of this before you play this episode around children. 

    The Metamorphosis of Yusef Salaam

    Play Episode Play 28 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 22, 2023 26:06


    This story begins with a 1989 rape in Central Park, involves a New York real estate tycoon who threw gas on a fire, and evolves into a remarkable and inspiring story of citizenship. Serge and Clarke discuss the life (at least so far) of Yusef Salaam. This episode is a short listen about a modern mentor.

    The Supremes Aren't Just Classic Motown: Our Top 5 Cases

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2023 60:00


    Do you have a favorite Supreme Court decision? Join Serge and Clarke and attorney Shawn Vinson in a lively discussion about each person's top five favorite decisions of the United States Supreme Court. We might surprise you!

    South Baltimore Brooklyn Day Block Party Nets Thirty Casualties

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2023 36:09


    On July 2, 2023, two to 12 gunslingers shot 30 people, including 14 children, at a single holiday block party in Baltimore. No police officers were assigned to the event where 700 to 1000 people had gathered. But at the same time, many extra police officers were assigned to traditionally white areas of Baltimore festivity. Serge and Clarke discuss what happened, the anemic response by our government, and the double standard of justice that fails to hold city leaders accountable. 

    Scot Peterson Acquitted of All Charges for Inaction at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2023 58:49


    Join Serge and Clarke in a discussion with our special guest Kemp Freund as we discuss the charges brought against School Resource Officer Scot Peterson for his inaction during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre on February 14, 2018. On June 28, 2023 Peterson was found not guilty on all 11 counts brought against him by a jury in Florida. Was the verdict just? Listen to our thoughts. 

    A Fatal Stabbing on the J Train

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2023 39:12


    A fatal stabbing on the J train is the subject of this week's podcast. Five weeks after Daniel Perry fatally choked Jordan Neely on the New York subway system, 20-year-old Jordan Williams is charged with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the fatal stabbing of Devictor Ouedraogo. Serge and Clarke discuss the differences, similarities, and social ramifications of this recent New York subway homicide. 

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