Free To Kill And Be Killed
If anybody needed proof positive that Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s criminal justice system is little but a revolving door, this week stands as damning evidence: Five homicides in five days and in almost every case the accused killers, as well as some of their victims, have extensive criminal records.
Consider the most recent killing, where the body of Jermaine Marque McJunkins was discovered Wednesday in a parking lot of the West Down Apartments off Beatties Ford Road. Police have arrested four suspects, all but one of which, Charles Edward Sammons, 24, have lengthy rap sheets (to view full records in links below, see Arrest # drop-down bar, near top of link page, and click all):
Darius Chapman, 27, has a record stretching to August 2007, when he was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, along with arrests on March 8, 2010, charged with disorderly conduct; Feb. 2, 2010, for driving while license revoked; and April 2008, for resisting arrest, reckless driving, and fleeing to elude arrest.
Suliman Malik El-Amin, 30, was arrested July 30, 2009, for possession with intent to sell/distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon; and on Aug. 14, 2007, for possession with intent to sell/distribute other controlled substances. Mitchelle Donnell Osborne, 24, was arrested in October 2007 for trafficking in MDA/MDMA (Ecstasy); and twice in August 2007 for possession with intent to sell/distribute cocaine and possession with intent to sell/distribute another controlled substance.
McJunkins, the victim, also had an extensive record, which dates to 2007 and includes arrests for multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell/distribute cocaine and marijuana, trespass, and possessing a stolen vehicle.
McJunkins, though, wasn’t the only recent homicide victim with an arrest record. Dominique McGriffin, 21, and Tia Mitchell, 23, were found shot to death in a car Sunday off West Boulevard. McGriff’s record shows an arrest last December, charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill; in November 2009 for communicating threats; in August 2008 for robbery with a dangerous weapon; and in May 2008 for felony breaking and entering.
Mitchell’s record dates to December 2008, when she was charged with possession with intent to sell/distribute cocaine. She was arrested on Feb. 2, 2010, for assault and battery; Jan. 8, 2010, for communicating threats; and Jan. 1, 2010, for communicating threats.
Police have not made an arrest in the case.
On Sunday, Michael Pernell Smith, 29, was shot to death near Eastway Drive and The Plaza. Police have arrested two suspects in the killing, Ishmal Carter, 19, who shows no criminal record, and Deterio Brice, 29, whose record dates to 2007, including charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of cocaine and marijuana, and assault on a female.
Also on Sunday, Devon Alister Clement, 20, was fatally shot at a Cook-Out restaurant on West Sugar Creek Road. An arrest in the case has not been made.
The killing spree of five murders in five days increased Charlotte’s homicide total to 28 for the year, more than double the number for the same time period last year.
In response to the killings, Police Chief Rodney Monroe apparently took a break from his vacation to issue a reassuring statement to citizens:
The five homicides that our community has experienced over the last five days are troubling; anytime a community experiences a senseless loss of life it is tragic.
I want to ensure our citizens that the CMPD is working aggressively to bring resolution to each and every one of these cases. Investigative Units have made arrests in two of the four homicide cases that have occurred this week including the homicide of Jermaine McJunkins that occurred on Mattoon St. last night and the homicide of Michael Pernell Smith that occurred on Camrose Dr. this past Sunday.
The department has a full compliment of investigative and patrol units working these four cases around the clock and we anticipate additional arrests. Our investigations lead us to believe these murders involve relationships between known associates. None of these four cases are random acts of violence.
The CMPD has increased patrols in neighborhoods affected by these recent cases providing a visible presence to ensure the safety of our citizens. We have deployed specialized units including VCAT, Firearms, Vice/Narcotics and Gang to develop vital information. We continue to receive information from community members that will assist us in solving these cases. The Homicide Unit encourages anyone with information to contact them on the Tips line at 704-432-TIPS.
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