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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The first witness up in the Howard Boys racketeering case was Flint Police Officer, now US Marshall Arnold Patrick. Testimony indicated he also had been given nicknames by the Howard Boys. He was called "Officer Pat" and "Project Pat" because he was the COPS officer for the onetime mini-station in Howard Estates.
The mini-station was opened under former Prosecutor Art Busch and supported by former Mayor Williamson. The unit donated by Flint Housing has now been closed.
The prosecution wanted to link the cohesiveness of the group, so they played a song by defendant Leon Gills about officer Patrick in which the officer was simply called "Pat". The hook of the song was wherever you went in that neighborhood there was "Pat Around". Whether it was at Stewart School, the Brennan Center, the Majic Market or similar locations to do wrong, you would find "Pat Around ".
Indeed, Officer Patrick has an impressive arrest record partially thanks to patrolling actively in his south side area and keeping in contact with the residents. A 20 year Flint Police Officer, Patrick testified that he also worked in several capacities involving undercover and investigative work including Special Operations, the South Side Task Force and more. He worked in conjunction with other police agencies such as the Genesee County Sheriff and Prosecutor offices, AT and the FBI.
Post Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:07 am
untanglingwebs
F L I N T O I D
At one point Officer Patrick was made aware that a song had been made by Gills about him and a Detective in the Flint Police burned Patrick a copy. Later they made a copy of the lyrics for him because he had trouble making out the lyrics. (I must confess so do I)
It was a surprise to watch the intense interest of the jury as they listened to the song. A defense attorney requestedi t be played a second time and the jury reaction was the same. Although Gills did not appear pleased with the interest in the song, at least one other co-defendant was rapping silently but emphatically to the song. I am working to get a copy of the song lyrics because my understanding is the song refers to "the real niggas from the HB" as well as a murder.
Officer Patrick was asked about the lyric especially the "Pat around" to which he replied he believed it referred to his presence in the area. He testified that he could not make any attributions as to Gills mind set when he wrote the song. When asked, Patrick also described how whistles had been used to warn others of a police presence. He described how frequently groups ran when he rode up on them.
Officer Patrick was asked to describe how the graffiti for Hot Boys, Howard Boys, Howard Block and Murder Ville began to show up. Officer Patrick spoke about how he became aware of the existence of a group through information received through the community and was able to corroborate this group.
Post Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:29 am
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:23 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:33 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Prosecutors detail killings as Howard Boys racketeering trial begins
Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com By Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com
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on June 02, 2014 at 5:30 PM, updated June 02, 2014 at 5:51 PM
(Khalil AlHajal | MLive.com)The "Howard Boys" gang is accused in a federal indictment of marking their territory in and around Howard Estates with graffiti like these markings seen at the public housing complex.
FLINT, MI -- Opening arguments have begun in a racketeering conspiracy case against a half-dozen men accused of using violence and intimidation to control the gun and drug trade on the city's south side.
Federal prosecutors on Monday, June 2, outlined their accusations against the group they referred to as the Howard Boys.
Authorities claim the group used threats and violence to protect their business of selling drugs and illegal weapons.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome you to Murda Ville," assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Vance told jurors, referencing a phrase the suspects allegedly used to describe the territory they controlled on the city's south side.
Vance outlined a number of violent encounters the men are accused of, including the killings of Marion Hardy, Jonathan Parker and Malachi Wilson. The group is also accused in seven attempted homicides.
"The goal of this enterprise was to provide an exclusive area where only Howard Boys associates could make money selling drugs," Vance said.
Authorities claim the group operated in and around the Howard Estates housing complex. Its territory generally included the area in and around Lapeer Road, Lippincott Boulevard, Dort Highway and 12th Street near South Saginaw Street.
Prosecutors claim the men controlled the sale of crack cocaine and marijuana in this territory with violence by assaulting, even shooting, others who attempted to sell drugs in the area.
Vance told jurors that Parker was killed by Alexandra Norwood after Parker shot a man that provided drugs and guns to the group.
Prosecutors allege Norwood found Parker riding a bicycle in the neighborhood, pushed him off the bike and shot him four times. Vance claims Norwood was paid by Parker's initial victim for the killing.
Wilson was killed after a love triangle involving his brother, his brother's girlfriend and Leon Gills erupted in gunfire, prosecutors said.
Vance told jurors that Wilson's brother found Gills in bed with his girlfriend. Wilson's brother responded by pulling a gun on Gills but eventually left the apartment where he discovered the two.
Gills allegedly later responded by firing multiple shots into a van that Wilson's brother was known to drive. Wilson's brother was not in the van, but two of the four people who were in the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
Vance said Gills then allegedly called Wilson's brother to tell him that he was the intended target of the shooting and that he planned to next target Wilson.
Three months later, Wilson was allegedly gunned down by Johnathan Oldham and Shawn Gardner in the middle of Lapeer Road.
Gardner has reached an agreement with prosecutors to testify in the case.
Defense attorneys told jurors that they should be skeptical of testimony provided by people like Gardner, who received preferential treatment from prosecutors in exchange for their cooperation.
"They have a lot of reasons to be untruthful," said attorney Randall Roberts, who is representing Jonathan Walker.
Defense attorneys also denied that the men were acting as an enterprise, which prosecutors are required to prove to succeed with the racketeering conspiracy charge.
Attorney Jerome Sabbota, who is representing Jatimothy Walker, admitted that his client sold drugs, but that he did so as an "independent contractor."
Opening arguments from the remaining defense attorneys are scheduled to continue Tuesday, June 3.
Here is a brief look at the charges each suspect is facing:
•Jamil Cureton -- Charged with racketeering and selling crack cocaine to a customer Sept. 9, 2009, near 12th Street and Lapeer Road in Flint.
•Leon Gills -- Charged with racketeering, two counts of attempted murder in support of racketeering and two counts of using a gun in a violent crime. Authorities say Gills attempted to kill four people March 17, 2009, when he shot into a vehicle at 3280 Lippincott Boulevard in Burton. Authorities also claimed that he attempted to kill Charles Orr, another alleged Howard Boys member, July 22, 2009, after Orr allegedly killed Oldham's brother.
•Johnathan Oldham -- Charged with racketeering, murder in support of racketeering, attempted murder in support of racketeering, six controlled substances violations, two counts of using a firearm in a violent crime, possessing an unregistered firearm, possessing a defaced firearm and dealing firearms without a license. Authorities say Oldham killed Malachi Wilson June 15, 2009, at Howard Estates. He is also accused of attempting to kill a second person Feb. 13, 2010, at the Boogie Down Motorcycle Club during a dispute with a member of the Drifters Motorcycle Club.
•Jonathan Walker -- Charged with racketeering, murder in support of racketeering, attempted murder in support of racketeering and using a gun during a violent crime. Authorities claim Walker killed Marion Hardy Aug. 1, 2006, at Howard Estates. Witnesses have testified in state court that Hardy stripped off his shirt and "squared up" to fight, but Jatimothy Walker, Jonathan's brother, responded by shooting Hardy. Then, a witness testified, both Walkers proceeded to shoot Hardy. He is also accused of attempting to kill Alonzo Golfin Feb. 7, 2010, after Golfin, an alleged member of a rival gang, was found on Howard Boys turf.
•Jatimothy Walker -- Charged with racketeering and murdering Hardy in support of racketeering.
•Alexandra Norwood -- Charged with racketeering and murder in support of racketeering. Norwood is accused of fatally shooting Jonathan Parker July 17, 2004, near Crocker Avenue and Lippincott Boulevard. |
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Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:35 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Defense attorneys continued to argue this should not be a racketeering case. RICO cases are based on the existence of a criminal enterprise aid Oldham's attorney. He further discussed how the government must prove the existence of a racketeering enterprise through parallel activities in the same geographic area.
Oldham's attorney noted the absence of a cohesive group identifier:
No colors;
No membership;
No hierarchy;
No structure such as Capos, officers;
No meetings;
No trainings;
and no shared revenue.
Is this Apathenia asked the attorney, the seeing of patterns in random acts. He asked the jury to "look at the events as they are unfolded" He also challenged the truthfulness of those who will testify and were given leniency and reduced charges for their testimony.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:55 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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In defense of Gills, his attorney described Gills growth from a crack baby raised by his grand mother. Gills was said to have been nicknamed Le le when he sang in the children's choir at church. His lawyer promised the jury they would note his vulnerability and sweetness and hopefully find him not guilty so thy could attend one of his concerts.
Gills was said to be like a younger brother to Shawn Gardner, aka Assassin. Gills was allegedly developing a career as a gansta rapper and used the persona of the street name South Side Gunman. There is no cred in rapping if you don't look like you share the life you are singing about, said Gills lawyer.
Gills continued to be portrayed as a victim of circumstance. |
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Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:08 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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A common theme among the attorney's was the poverty of the area, the proliferation of subsidized housing and single mothers. It appeared they were saying the poor have to commit crimes to survive. A great deal of time was spent on the locations of the incident being charged in the case.
Officer Patrick was asked to identify each defendant, give the street names he knew them by and how he became aware of them. He also was asked to describe a video made during an undercover surveillance detail in September of 2009 in a Howard Estates parking lot. Officer Patrick was asked to join the surveillance team because of his knowledge of the suspects believed to be involved.
Because I had worked with attorneys on testifying and giving depositions, I was impressed with Officer Patrick's demeanor during his testimony. If he did not remember an incident, he said so and disagreed with comments like "no, that is not correct. Officer Patrick spoke in a consistent manner and only looked perplexed once when an attorney insisted he previously said in a deposition that young rappers came to him with their songs. The attorney then could not find the alleged statement on his computer, another attorney lent him a paper copy. The alleged statement appeared to never have been found.
Another time the same attorney handed Officer Patrick a somewhat large report and asked him to read it. Patrick looked surprised and responded "You want me to read the whole report". Looked to me as an attorney not really prepared.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:29 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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searched under BING for RICO enterprise horizontal structure.
Criminal relationships: vertical and horizontal ...
www.thefreelibrary.com › … › October 1, 2009
Oct 01, 2009 · ... vertical and horizontal relatedness in criminal RICO. by ... the structure of [section] 1962(c ... boss of a criminal enterprise. He was convicted of ...
.
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations | HighBeam ...
business.highbeam.com › … › American Criminal Law Review
Mar 22, 2002 · ... an enterprise must contain some structure distinct ... For a criminal RICO ... of pure horizontal preemption held that RICO charges ...
.
ARTICLE: RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT …
www.ipsn.org/.../racketeer_influenced_and_corrupt_organizations.htm
... Civil and Criminal RICO: ... (horizontal relatedness ... 433 (5th Cir. 1990) (determining RICO enterprise needs structure). n118 Handeen v. Lemaire, 112 F ... |
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Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:14 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The title of the case is 4:cr 20287 United States vs Norwood, et al
Despite defense contentions that this RICO case does not meet the requirements of a vertical case, such as that against the Mafia or even the Spanish Cobras, the government theory is what is called a horizontal structured criminal enterprise. Thus the RICO act is not limited to organized crime organizations and the RICO ACT can have liberal interpretation by the courts. Upon conviction, the government can impose additional sanctions beyond those imposed by the state courts for the individual offenses.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:35 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| The challenge for the government is to demonstrate there is a structure that exists beyond the pattern of racketeering activities conducted by the group. They must have some semblance of a continuity of structure. The group constituting the enterprise is not required to have a formalized or legal organization. It is not a material issue if they don't have a stake in the operation of the enterprise. Indeed, the enterprise can be inferred by the existence of racketeering and other acts that are distinct and separate from the criminal acts. |
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Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:01 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The government introduced a second rap song and examples of social media that connected the defendants as an interrelated group under the name of MV HB (Murda Ville Howard Boys) The structure the government is identifying is that of a horizontal type.
In the government's indictment they cite the group's use of similar tattoos, handshakes and the use of social media to demonstrate their membership and affiliation in the enterprise. the group also used the titles Hot Boys,Dirty South and South Side. They used the hand signs for their letters M and V to indicate Murda Ville and even displayed these signs in photos on social media network.
Several members recorded rap songs that boasted of their existence and communicated their threats of violence. |
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Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:22 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The members of the enterprise had enforcement authority and disciplined members who did not comply with their code or rules. While these rules may not have been written, there was an understanding about what behavior was expected. Members could be punished for the commission of acts against other members or the families of members of the enterprise.
Members of the enterprise were expected to defend the territory claimed by the Howard Boys from other groups that would sell drugs within the territory. They were expected to retaliate. This was vital as the allegations are that the sale of both drugs and firearms were the sole source of income for the members of the enterprise.
Incarcerated members of the enterprise were assisted with money and photo of their families. |
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Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:34 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The Merrill Hood defense:
As soon as I saw the nickname for Jonathan (J Nutty) Walker, I was perplexed. I remember discussion about the "Nutty North".At one point there was a roster showing the members of the Nutty North,on the back of a building north of the party store on Fleming and Pierson. All of them had "Nutty" added to an initial.
I read that the "Dog life" group was a set for the Merrill Hod gang, but I am
not sure about the "Nutty North" as a set for Merrill Hood. In 2009 the Merrill Hood was written up in the Flint Journal as the Flint Neighborhood having the most felony assaults.
Witness Brandon Marshall is an aspiring rap music producer and singer. It was during his testimony that the Merrill Hood defense first arose. Defense kept referencing how the Walkers originally came from the north side of Flint, somehow had a falling out and made a rap song with a title something like "I'm from Merrill Hood".
It doesn't matter if the north side Walkers were in Howard Estates for a short time because of girlfriends, or if they moved away and attempted to disassociate from the Howard Boys. They are linked to Howard Boys in the commission of crimes and in the defense of the group. Imprisonment does not matter as long as the enterprise was ongoing. |
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Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:45 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint gang member headed to federal prison after Clio Road ...
www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/02/flint_gang... Cached
FLINT, MI -- A Flint gang member was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after he admitted to being involved in a 2007 shootout that left 10 peopleFlint gang member headed to federal prison after Clio Road shootout that injured 10
Print Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com By Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com
on February 12, 2014 at 4:30 PM, updated February 13, 2014 at 8:23 AM
FLINT, MI -- A Flint gang member was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after he admitted to being involved in a 2007 shootout that left 10 people wounded on the city's north side.
Willie J. Chambers, 25, was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 11, by Flint U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith after pleading guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy for his role in the Howard Boys street gang.
Chambers is one of 22 men charged in state and federal courts following the investigation of a gang that is accused of operating in and around the Howard Estates public housing complex on the city's south side.
Authorities claim the gang used threats and violence to protect their business of selling drugs.
Court records show Chambers and two other men facing federal charges were involved in an on-going feud with a member of a rival gang that escalated into a June 16, 2007, shootout on Clio Road that left 10 people injured.
Chambers and the two other men were traveling in Chambers' vehicle on Clio Road in Flint shortly after 2 a.m. June 16, 2007, when they spotted the rival gang member, who belonged to the "Dog Life" sect of the Merrill Hood gang, standing near the roadside, according to court records.
Authorities say several nightclubs in the area had just closed and the surrounding area was crowded with hundreds of people when two men in Chambers' vehicle allegedly opened fire on the rival gang member. The rival gang member returned gun fire.
Chaos ensued as others in the area joined in the gun fight, discharging their own weapons, according to court records.
At least 10 people were injured in the gun fight, according to court records.
Chambers said that he also sold and distributed drugs in support of the gang.
In a sentencing memorandum submitted to the court on behalf of Chambers by his attorney Henry Scharg, Scharg said Chambers was raised in a stable, faith-based family with both of his parents but was drawn into the gang life because it offered a sense of purpose and belonging as well as structure and security.
Chambers claimed to have left the gang, moved to his sister's home in North Carolina and enrolled in college at the time of his arrest, according to court records. |
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Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:01 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Members and Associates of South Side Flint Street Gang Charged with Racketeering and Other Acts of Violence
U.S. Attorney’s Office
May 03, 2012
Eastern District of Michigan
(313) 226-9100
Multiple state and federal charges against 22 Flint-area men were announced today by United States Attorney Barbara McQuade and Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.
U.S. Attorney McQuade and Genesee County Prosecutor Leyton were joined in the announcement by FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena; ATF Special Agent in Charge David McCain, Special Agent in Charge Robert Corso, United States Drug Enforcement Administration; City of Flint Police Chief Alvern Lock; Michigan State Police Captain Rick Arnold; and Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell.
A 34-count indictment, unsealed in Flint today, charges 12 individuals, who are alleged to be members and associates of the Howard Boys street gang, with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy and also includes charges of murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, distribution of drugs, and various federal firearms violations, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. An additional 10 individuals were charged by the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office with crimes including murder, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with intent to murder.
Named in the federal indictment were:
DECLYDE P. BREWTON, a.k.a. BG, Baby Gangsta
WILLIE J. CHAMBERS, a.k.a. Smalls, Mally
SEAN V. CUNNINGHAM, a.k.a. Lil Sean, Lil Jig, Lil Hitman
JAMIL CURETON, a.k.a. LB, Boo Boo
MALCOLM J. EVANS, a.k.a. Lil Malc, Stay Strap
MARKUS G. EVANS, a.k.a. FA, K
LEON GILLS, a.k.a. LeLe, Ahki, Gunman, Leges
CARVELL J. GORDON, a.k.a. 6-9, Vell, C-Vell
ALEXANDRA L. NORWOOD, a.k.a. Al
JOHNATHAN L. OLDHAM, a.k.a. John Boy, JB, LJ
JATIMOTHY E. WALKER, a.k.a. JT, Lil Money, Jet, J-Money
JONATHAN E. WALKER, a.k.a. J-Nutty
The following individuals have been charged in state court with various related violations of state law announced Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton:
PAKI L. BONNER
TARON M. BROWN
KEVIN L. BUIE
JAMEL O. CHEEKS
JAMES M. ELBERT
RODRICK T. JACKSON
VINCENT T. MCGLORY
DARRYL D. SCOTT
EDDIE L. WILLIAMS
CHARLES T. ORR
The federal indictment and related state charges are the result of a multi-year investigation conducted by the Genesee County Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is comprised of special agents from the FBI and officers from the City of Flint, troopers from the Michigan State Police, and deputies from the Genesee County Sheriff Department. Working closely with the task force during the investigation were special agents from the ATF and DEA as well as members of the Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG).
As alleged in the indictment, the Howard Boys, also known as the “Hot Boys,” “Howard Block,” and “Murda Ville,” was a criminal enterprise which operated on the south side of Flint, in and around the Howard Estates public housing complex, since approximately 2002. Members of the enterprise and their associates are alleged to have committed acts of violence in order to maintain control over and to protect their territory and to further the members’ and associates’ distribution of controlled substances. Members and associates of the enterprise are also alleged to have used threats, possessed weapons, and committed assaults, attempted murders, and murders to promote their authority, reputation and standing in the enterprise.
The federal indictment charges all 12 defendants with a racketeering conspiracy, which includes the commission of three murders, five attempted murders, and numerous acts of drug dealing. Additionally, individual defendants have been charged with committing murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession of a firearm by a felon, dealing in firearms without a license, and distributions of cocaine base. The indictment outlines a number of specific criminal allegations relating to crimes on the south side of Flint attributed to the gang’s activity.
“We are hopeful that this prosecution will restore safety and security in the neighborhood where this gang operated,” McQuade said. “We also want criminals to know that if they commit crimes with guns in Flint, they will be prosecuted federally, where the sentences are long and there is no parole.”
“We in law enforcement will not concede to the criminal element in our never-ending pursuit of safety and security for our citizens,” said Prosecutor Leyton.
“Working together, local, state, and federal authorities can make significant progress in the fight against crime. The next step in the process is for prosecutors to hold these individuals accountable in a court of law,” Leyton said.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Arena stated, “This dangerous street gang was responsible for numerous acts of violence that robbed citizens of their safety and sense of security. These indictments are the result of countless hours of hard work, and serve as a reminder we will be relentless in bringing these criminals to justice. We remain dedicated to dismantling these criminal enterprises together with the assistance of our task force partners.”
The federal government’s case is being prosecuted by Flint branch of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. |
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Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:22 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Of the original 12 that were to be part of the RICO case, only 6 remain. The others took plea deals.
In his opening statements, the lawyer for Jonathan Walker asked the jury to be careful of "special testimony" and asked the jury to put stars by the name of the witnesses who received plea deals and were required to testify honestly and truthfully by the prosecution.That theme will continue throughout the trial.
Not all of the crimes the defendants have been charged with occurred in the south side. |
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Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:30 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Witness Brandon Marshall,24, did most of his testimony with his short tight braids over much of his face. He had to be reminded several times to speak up and speak into the microphone. At times he appeared to almost place his head in his lap. He admitted he did not want to be in court testifying because he still felt close to some of his former associates.
He testified about the robbery at the Magic Market and linked J-Nutty and Gills as integral to the crime. . He related meeting at a south side house of Lil Malcolm afterwards with many members congregating at the home.
Another piece of important testimony revolved around the shooting incident that occurred on 1-15-2007 at the Marathon station on Lapeer and Dort. Marshal was riding in the back of a mini van with Gills driving and "Nutty" as front seat passenger when thy received a distress call. They went to help Malcom and Marcus Evans. When asked by the prosecution why it was necessary to get involved, Marshall replied he "just knew to protect one another". He testified that he, Gills and Nutty all fired at the car containing the other side of the altercation.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Mon Jun 09, 2014 5:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:52 am |
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