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Convicted criminals are finding easy ways out of jail and onto Baltimore streets lately. On Tuesday, Marcus Anderson simply jumped out of his transport van. Yesterday, the Sun reported that Calvin Boswell was mistakenly released from the Baltimore City Detention Center — one day after being convicted of attempted murder.

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Prisoner Marcus Anderson was being transported from Jessup to Baltimore Circuit Court on Tuesday when he managed to escape from a 19-year veteran of the Corrections Department. How, you may ask? Quite easily, it seems, based on the details that were revealed in the courtroom yesterday.

Judge Charles Bernstein proceeded with Anderson’s trial for illegal possession of a firearm, even though the defendant was nowhere to be found. During the trial, corrections officers were asked to provide details surrounding Anderson’s escape. I have to say, it almost seems like they wanted him to get away. Here’s how it went down:

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A Maryland man is one of four defense contractors being sued by former prisoners of Abu Ghraib.

Federal lawsuits were filed by three Iraqis and a Jordanian yesterday. The men say they were tortured by the defense contractors while being detained at the prison in 2003 and 2004. One of the employees named in the suit is Adel Nakhla, a Montgomery Village resident who worked as a translator in the prison.

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That’s essentially the question posed in an article in today’s Sun.

We all know that the homicide rate is at its lowest since 1988 — a statistic that is mentioned in nearly every recent article involving crime. This year so far, there have been 104 homicides in Baltimore City (a number which may have already changed by the time you read this) compared to 153 last year. Shootings are also down (surprising to me, considering how many of them are in the news): 266 this year versus 361 last year.

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Federal Hill was the site of two murders this weekend, taking its residents by surprise.

William Cole, the councilman who represents the 11th district, including Federal Hill, said: “One murder is shocking. Two is beyond shocking. Given what’s happened in the last 48 hours, I think additional patrols are warranted until whatever element has crept in has gone away.”

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At Baltimore’s Parole and Probation office, a “change in logistics” will allow wanted criminals to escape without being chased.

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Margaret Burns e-mailed Anna Sowers yesterday to explain her comments regarding Zach Sowers. Some (like the Sun) are referring to the letter as an apology. Others (like Anna herself [see June 18 post]) are not so sure that it qualifies as one.

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In one of the more interesting (ridiculous?) defense strategies that I’ve seen lately, lawyers for an accused murderer are trying to avoid the death penalty for their client — because their salaries aren’t high enough.

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After less than a week, DC police suspended their controversial initiative that sealed off high-crime neighborhoods to outsiders. Police have no immediate plans to resume at the first site (Trinidad in northeast DC) or elsewhere.

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I received an email today directing me to a story about Anna Sowers, widow of Zach Sowers. Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for Baltimore State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy, was quoted in the the article — statements that were referred to as “inflammatory” in the email’s subject line. After reading the story, I’m inclined to agree.

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