On the morning that Maryland State Natural Resource Police pulled the badly decomposed remains of Phylicia Barnes from the Susquehanna River, little did they know that their work had just begun. A very short time later, crews working south of the Conowingo Dam alerted them that they had happened upon yet another body in the River. Those remains were in a similar condition as was that of the Barnes Kid. Nude, badly decomposed, and no clues pointing to how either of them may have gotten there. Preliminary findings disclosed that the second human remains was that of a 6′,4″ , 240 pound male, and led Authorities to contemplate whether the two suspicious deaths were related. Many hoped that the second remains would offer new hope in finding what happened to the Barnes kid. Another body offered even more Physical Evidence to aid Investigators in discovering New Leads in the missing  Teenager’s Disappearance Case. All of those hopes were quickly dashed away when Members of the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division Latent Print Unit notified investigators late yesterday they had matched fingerprints from the body with prints entered in the National Crime Information Center database for missing persons. That person  has been identified as Darryl Harper, 53, of Richmond, Va. State Police contacted Harper’s Wife in Richmond and learned that she had filed a Missing Person’s report April 15, 2011, and that he had left their Virginia Home in March of this year. These facts confirmed that his death was in no way related to the Missing 16 year old from Monroe, N.C. It appears that the discovery of the bodies has ended in closure for one grieving family, yet a continuing and widening mystery for another. Barring State Police obtaining assistance from the physical remains of Phylicia’s Body after Autopsy and Toxicology reports surface they are right back at square one, and will have to jump start the case from information obtained during the Interviews of those closes to her. “Needless to say the Autopsy is crucial to the case. Medical Examiners will be able to tell whether or not a person was alive prior to going in the water. The condition of the lungs and dilution of the Blood may possibly indicate the manner of Death was through drowning.  Also, the emission of gases which effect swelling, colorization of Body Tissue, and other Aquatic Biology may offer clues as to the duration of the Body’s exposure to the water,”  says Professor Tara Cohen, Forensic Science Educator.  Many are hoping that the decomposed body of Phylicia Barnes will reveal some clues that will culminate in the discovery of what events lead to the Child’s tragic ending.

The Peoples Champion

I’m David Adams

The Conowingo Dam: Located in Northern Maryland, separating Hardford and Cecil Counties, and the site where the physical remains of Phylicia Barnes was discovered

Now that the body of Pretty Monroe, N.C. Honor Teen Phylicia Barnes has been pulled from the fast streaming waters of the Susquehanna River in Northern Maryland, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the cold hard facts surrounding the death of this beloved child. Many of us may never know what information Police Investigators have discovered during their interview of the young girl’s Sisters, Family, and Friends until the case becomes closed and a matter of Public Record. However, I find myself revisiting a Blog Talk Radio Broadcast by “Two Peas In Their Pod Radio” in which the Barnes Siblings were Interviewed about their Baby Sister’s Disappearance. I can’t help but notice the lack of any authentic grief or even desperation on the part of the teen girl’s Half Sisters. During the Interview Deena Barnes appeared to be stumped by questions, pausing for very awkward periods of time, providing extremely selective information, whispering, and even displaying instances of laughter. In contrast, Older Sister Kelly appeared coached, inattentive far too frequently, and could also be overheard whispering as well. Listeners may not have picked up on all of the nuances going on, but a trained investigative ear listening to the Broadcast would most certainly have been troubled by the sister’s actions.

Sister Deena Barnes (left) pictured with a vibrant Beautiful Phylicia Barnes 

If these facts are not disturbing enough, Sisters Deena, and Kelly Barnes’ accounts of the day that young Phylicia Barnes went missing, are just as baffling. Police typically do not show their hands during Investigations of this nature in fear of tipping off possible suspects. I feel so strongly about the implication of the Barnes Siblings that I would venture to say, “They were suspects from the gate”. Now that’s a broad leap considering Police Investigating the Barnes Case have continuously said that they have no leads. That was before they discovered the teen dead. Whatever suspicions that Cops may have had regarding the Sibling’s involvement may now surface after the Autopsy and Toxicology findings come in. Hopefully, the young girl’s physical remains will spur some clues as to what actually happened to her on the day she went missing.  Don’t take my word for it that the Barnes sisters may be implicated, listen for yourselves:

Barnes Siblings Interview On Blogtalk 

The nearly 21/2 hours long Bt Interview is so alarming that Sisters Deena and Kelly Barnes along with Deena’s so called Ex-Boyfriend, and his younger Brother or Cousin (which ever is true as Deena had trouble on the accuracy of these facts) should be prime suspects. Deena and Kelly Barnes account doesn’t make any sense at all, adds serious doubt about the credibility of their accounts, and seems suspicious to the point that they appear deceptive. Why? Who were they whispering to during the BT Interview? Were they trying to get their stories straight? These are just a few of the many questions that I am sure Listeners walked away from that interview with. It very well maybe that they aren’t involved at all, but their posturing during the interview raises a valid suspicion.

December 28, 2010 Timeline 

08:45 a.m. Deena Says she leaves for work and Phylicia is asleep

10:00 a.m. Deena Says she exchanged Text with Phylicia about shopping later on for Hair Care and Skin Care  Products. Kelly also claims to have spoken to Phylicia around the same time about her picking Phylicia up after work to get her hair done.

11:30 a.m.   Deena says it’s the last time she received Text messages from Phylicia.

12:30 p.m.   Deena says she speaks with her Ex-Boyfriend who is now at the apartment to pick up his younger  Brother (Deena later changes her story from his Brother to Younger Cousin) and is told by him that Phylicia is asleep on the couch. Deena adopts the mindset I’ll let her sleep.

12:30 p.m.    Kelly says she calls Phylicia but doesn’t get an answer.

1:30   p.m.     Kelly says she calls Phylicia again unsuccessfully, but doesn’t go by Deena’s apartment to pick her up as scheduled,  and assumes Phylicia is still asleep at Deena’s.

3:08  p.m.     Kelly calls Phylicia again unsuccessfully then calls Deena to see if Phylicia is with her. The Sisters  conclude that Phylicia is still asleep as the Ex-Boyfriend told her, and the decide to let her sleep.

5:00 p.m.     Deena’s Ex-Boyfriend notifies her that he arrives back at the apartment with the door unlocked,  loud music is playing in the apartment, and Phylicia is not there. Tells Deena maybe she went to get something to eat.

6:00 p.m.     Deena arrives home and there is still no sign of Phylicia.

7:30 p.m.     Deena Barnes sounds the alarm and calls Baltimore Police and her Dad about Phylicia’s Disappearance.

9:00 p.m.     Janice Sallis, Phylicia’s Mother calls Deena Barnes to speak with Phylicia after several  unsuccessful attempts to reach her Daughter via her Cell Phone, and is told by Deena that Phylicia is missing!

During the BT Interview it was revealed by Deena Barnes that not only was her Ex-Boyfriend at the apartment with her Baby sister, the Ex’s Younger Brother/Cousin was there, and lives there. I am extremely challenged to understand why a seemingly intelligent Young Professional like Deena Barnes (Licensed Pharmacy Tech) could leave her Little Sister alone in an apartment  with a strange older male. Deena offers the rationalization that the Ex was moving out on an ongoing basis since early December. It’s December 28th and he hasn’t gotten all of his stuff out of the apartment yet? Excuse me, but if I have to take a day off from work to be there so you can get all of your belongings then so be it. It won’t be none of this coming back and forth. This knucklehead like statement cast serious doubt on whether he was actually her Ex. I mean who does that? Allow an Ex to continuously come by on a regular basis and he still has a key? Also, you leave your Sister there knowing he could just drop by at anytime. What if she was in the shower or indisposed?  Why all the Texting between Deena, Kelly, and Phylicia. From 10:00 until 12:30 they simply texted her. Neither of the Sisters called Phylicia during this time frame. Kelly calls her 3 times at 12:30, 1:30 (the time she is to pick her up), and 3:08. If you are going to pick her up to get her hair done at 1:30 why didn’t you go by there? The Ex says she was asleep at 12:30. I find it hard to believe that Young Phylicia was asleep an hour prior to the time Kelly was to pick her up. I mean it doesn’t make sense considering that’s all Phylicia talked to her Big Sisters about earlier that day, was going shopping and getting her hair done. Not only that, but Deena just takes the Ex’s word for it that Phylicia is asleep. I’m sorry, 2 possibly 3 men are in the apartment with my Pretty Little Sister, and you don’t ask to speak to her? Wake her up, put my Sister on the Phone, or better yet I have to go home because I have a family emergency. You go by there and get your little Sister. I mean what was Deena thinking? At 3:08 Kelly informs Deena that she can’t contact Phylicia and neither of them go by the apartment. That’s simply absurd. They had no need to go by there, because I believe they already knew what had happen to Phylicia. That’s just me but anyway. Kelly was scheduled to pick Phylicia up between 1-1:30 to take her to get her hair done. Why didn’t Kelly go by Deena’s anyway, I mean Phylicia could have still been getting dressed or in the shower. It wasn’t until 3:08 when Kelly learned that Phylicia was possibly sleeping after she called Deena. Why did Kelly wait nearly 2 hours to try and contact Phylicia? After all they did have plans to go to the Hair Salon. Did Kelly actually have intentions on picking Phylicia up? The fact that Kelly failed to go by the apartment (she lives a few blocks away) seems suspicious and is problematic. From 3:08 – 6:00 when Deena arrived home, neither of the Sisters had attempted to call Phylicia. Also, at 5:00 when Deena’s Ex advised her that he found the apartment door unlock and Phylicia was not there, Deena did not immediately leave work to go by her apartment to investigate what was going on, nor did she call Kelly who lives near by to ask her to go by the apartment. There are a lot of questions surrounding the Barnes Sisters actions or lack there of on the day that Phylicia went missing. We don’t know what they reportedly have told the Police as of yet, but the Blogtalk Radio interview seems to offer a plethora of circumstances where the Sisters failed to properly and adequately checkup on their Baby Sister. The explanations they have offered (at least in the BTI) are not logical from a responsible adult’s standpoint. The fact that at least Deena knew that their were young men in the apartment with Phylicia and the crime plagued Park Heights Neighborhood where Deena and Kelly both lived, should have been more then enough incentive for at least one of  these Women to go by the apartment to check on Phylicia after several failed attempts to contac her. The reality is that they didn’t. A huge dark cloud now hovers above these Women and you have to wonder if the accounts they offered has any validity what so ever. To add insult to injury, neither of the Barnes sisters contacted Janice Sallis to inform her that Phylicia was missing. Ms. Sallis called because she hadn’t her from her Pretty daughter. Perhaps the most telling fact about this case is that Deena’s Ex has hired an attorney even though Police say he isn’t a suspect. During the BTI Kelly was asked what she believes may have happened to Phylicia? Kelly responded, “I think she trusted someone she thought she could trust”. I can’t help but wonder if Kelly Barnes knows who that “someone” is?

The Peoples Champion

I’m David Adams

The News Story made National Media Headlines, was featured on Nightline, and set a New Standard for Violence in Baltimore City when 4 young Black Men Killed 5 Women Execution Style in the City’s Belair Edison Community. The Killings sparked outrage by Women Rights Advocate Organizations and became characterized as the Apex of Violence against Baltimore Women in Modern Time . The perpetrators,  Ismael Malik Wilson, (28), Travon McCoy, (22), Robert Bryant, (24), and Tariq A. Malik, (21) were apprehended and brought to swift justice. These crimes occurred just over 12 years ago, but the Culture of Vicious and extremely violent crimes against Women appears relentless in Baltimore, as Killers roam with “No Limit’. The latest victim was a 24 year old unidentified Women, who was shot multiple times in the head, and torso. Police responded to the Park Heights section of the City in response to calls of shots fired, and found the African American female lying in a pool of blood behind an Apartment Complex. She was transported to Sinai Hospital where she was pronounced dead around 0937 hours EST. This killling is only a few miles from the location where Monroe, NC Honor Teen Phylicia Barnes was last seen before her mysterious disappearance. That case also made the National Media Circuit but Authorities have yet to get a solid lead on the case. Also, Police have no leads or motives in the killing of last night’s female victim. While Responders handle the Park Heights Shooting, there was a car  chase that ended in a crash just blocks away, related to another shooting of two Women that originated in Dundalk, MD. Details about that shooting have not been made to the Public. In the Remington section of the City, Police announce the arrest and apprehension of the Killer allegedly responsible for the Murder of  promising Coppin State University Nursing Student, Jhoma Blackwell, (18).

Blackwell was brutally stabbed to death in her North Baltimore home in recent weeks. The City Government is concerned about the rash of stabbings in the City as these types of crimes have spiked %15 in comparison to this time last year. Moreover, An alleged member of a Baltimore drug organization tied to a rash of violence across the city has been charged with attempted murder after police say he dumped scalding hot water on a 71-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman to punish them for stealing drugs. The victims denied taking any of the drugs, but Rich and two other men began assaulting them with sticks and a glass ashtray, police say. The attackers then forced them to remove their clothing and sit in a bathtub, heating water on the stove until it was scalding and dumping on them. I  will not make excuses for this kind of sickening behavior occurring in my Hometown. As an educated Black Man with a Daughter, and countless other female relatives living in Baltimore, I will not stand by idle with a position of apathy while Violent Criminals attack Women of any kind. In case you haven’t noticed, these kinds on crimes do not occur in the American Muslim Community. The standard has been long established as to the consequences of such an action in our Communities. In instances of this nature Street Justice would more than likely prevail without fail. Certainly it is not my position to advocate more Violence, however, every Man is charged with the Obligatory Duty to protect the female members of his Family. A short time ago I wrote an article indicating how the African American Women was  the most disrespected female on the planet. I will not revisit that discussion here, but my hope is that I have shed light on a growing concern impacting Women of Color. I am a Human Interest Writer and I can not envision anything of more importance than the welfare and safety of our Beloved Sisters. Take a proactive stance against Violence toward Women and write your Congress Person to aid in the development of Legislation making Violent Crimes agains Women a Federal Offense punishable by Life without Parole or Death.

The Peoples Champion

David B. Adams

They brought ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles), Heat Seeking Helicopters, Law Enforcement from 10 Local, Federal, State Agencies, and volunteers from the Guardian Angels as well as Students from Coppin State and Morgan state Universities to the Pataspco State Park in a massive effort to locate the remains of 17 year old Phylicia Barnes. It has been nearly 4 months since the Monroe, NC Honor Student went missing late December of 2010.

Phylicia Barnes Senior Portrait

Police Officials were pretty tight lipped about the circumstances that led Police back to the area surrounded by Howard and Baltimore Counties where they had searched for the Barnes Kid before. However, sources closed to the case revealed that Investigators wanted to revisit the location because a prior search was hindered by cold weather and with the ground warming, Police were enabled to conduct a more extensive search. The details related to this recent effort reveals that Authorities appear to have switched gears from discovering the whereabouts of the Pretty and Petite Teen, to recovering her physical remains. Volunteers involved in the search say it was a very gloomy scene making the trek in and around the creeks, woods, and spacious grounds of the Historic Maryland State Park. It became even more saddening when searchers came upon a partially decomposed body. Those remains were fully clothed, not that of Phylicia Barnes, and determined to be a Male. Authorities are awaiting Autopsy Reports to determine the cause of that death. Authorities admit that they are completely stumped with the Barnes Case as no creditable leads have surfaced. Those more affiliated  with the case say that the Pataspco revisit confirms that at least one of the young men questioned about the Barnes disappearance is continuing to be a person of interest, as Authorities were led to the Park near his home early on in the Investigation. Anonymous tips about the case have come to a staggering decline from about 100 calls a month to just a mere 5. It seems that Phylica Barnes has vanished from the face of the Earth with no clues, with out reasoning, no physical evidence to point suspicion upon anyone, and simply nothing to answer the persistent question, “Why”? We Pray and ask God above for understanding, Grace, and comfort in coping with the seemingly cruel realities of  this cold world. In that, we reflect upon our own lives, yet remembering a life possibly lost, and wondering what could have been in the life of such a Beautiful Young Flower. Where are you young Phylicia?

The Peoples Champion

David B. Adams

He had spent the early evening hours Ministering to a Congregation at a local Memphis Church, spoke about the “difficulties ahead” for the Civil Rights Movement, and the plight of City Sanitation Workers in which he had come to Tennessee to support. On this night, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King would unknowingly make an emphatic passionate speech which would be played countless times over and over again around the world for years to come. Just 6 hours after his last Speech, the Mahatma Gandhi Non Violent Idealist would be struck down by an Assassin’s Bullet, and the Champion of Peace was taken from the World forever more. The Killing of Dr. King would culminate a particularly Tumultuous and Violent decade in America that saw the murders of the Georgia Baptist Preacher, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and African American Leader El Hajj Malik El Shabazz ( Minister Malcolm X). However, King’s death impacted our Nation the greatest, due to his persistence in advocating protest through non violent measures.

Many feared and embraced for an all out Racially sparked Civil War, and felt that White Americans would fall prey to Mobs of angry Negroes in retaliation for their Slain Martyred Brother. The Country did see sporadic acts of violence, riots, and destruction to Commercial Properties in small pockets of African American dominated Communities, but the predicted Race Wars never did come. Over the years many Theorist and Historians have applauded Dr King’s non violent stance, and credited these tactics as having ushered America out of the Dark Ages on Social Reform as far as People of Color are concerned. Though Social change in America saw the fall of Old Jim Crow, White Only signs, and the dissipation of the likes of Bull Conner style Politicians, many African Americans fail to comprehend that no Civil Rights Legislation during the Civil Rights Movement have ever been signed into Law. There has been countless Bills presented before our Nation’s Congress only resulting in Congressional Acts (i.e. Civil rights act of 1964). Perhaps I maybe out of my league here as it pertains to the actual letter of the Law, a more Legal Inclined person could shed better insight, but I am sure you get the picture. The Civil Rights Acts are clearly problematic as it is more readily vulnerable for repeal by our Congressional Legislative Body, because Acts of Congress are typically signed for a specified duration. What am I saying? One could never diminish the Gallantry of Noble Peace Prize Winner Dr. King. I am simply questioning Historians depiction of the extent that Dr. King’s work actually impacted Social Change for People of Color on it’s face (How was the Law Changed to actually implement these Federal Mandated Civil rights). Candidly speaking, this man voluntarily gave his very life for a better quality of life for “all of God’s Children”. I falter in understanding the Legal Team, Advisors, and Members of King’s Christian Leadership Alliance that aided the late Civil Rights Advocate in spearheading the current Civil Rights Bill, and allowing themselves to walk away from the bargaining table knowing that these Acts were simply a temporary posture by a Racist White Government. Moreover, King has also been elevated to the Super Natural. Manly though, by his Daughter Bernice King, who likened her Father’s work to that of an Apostle, and citing his infamous last speech as evidence of his Divine Connection when he undoubtedly predicted his own Death. King’s pronouncement “I may not get there with you” seems coincidence, I seriously doubt that, and renders further insight of how dedicated, fearless, and stringent he stood in the face of Death. Clearly an act of Martyrdom as it is believed that the ultimate test of Faith lies in the principle of the acceptance of Death for an ideology or practiced belief.

Rarely Published Video of Dr. Martin Luther King

Dr. King is probably mostly remembered by his March on Washington’s ” I have a Dream” speech, and there are those in the American Public who are eager to accept the current state of affairs related to our Social Structure, but one must ask themselves if King’s Dream was actually ever fully achieved. Civil Rights Act(s) seem to be a band aid and only a symbol of that Era. We could make a valid argument that People of Color in America are worst off in the Post Civil Rights Generation. America’s Prisons are sweltering with Black Men at an alarming rate, a ever growing Population of Black Women in U.S. Prisons, staggering unemployment, homelessness, and verifiably the most violent community in America as well as the greatest Murderers of other African American Peoples throughout the World. I personally love the work that Dr. King was able to achieve, however, I find it difficult to express a mutual perception of my own People. In my mind there is no doubt that Dr. King was in fact a Martyr, but a basic observation of how his People responded to those “difficult days ahead” in the years and decades after his death can only honestly and accurately be depicted as “complete foolishness”.  

“If the Negro is to be free he must move down into the inner resources of his own Soul, and sign with a pen of ink of self assertive Manhood, his own Emancipation Proclamation” -Dr. Martin Luther King

The Peoples Champion

David B. Adams

As the Cruise Missiles launch from U.S. Warships targeting Air Defense Installations in the Sovereign Nation of Libya, many of us who remember, know it was not long ago that America committed these same kinds of heinous acts before against this North African Country. In that Military Campaign Moammar Gadhafi’s Wife and Child were killed. Many in the American Muslim Community who are conscious, suspect that it was the so called Honorable Louis Farrakhan that set up the Libyan Leader. Gadhafi was unable to be tracked by the CIA at the time (who was trying to kill him), because he would not sleep in the same location from night to night, and making GPS systems ineffective. However, it was the Nation of Islam Leader Farrakhan who had visited with Gadhfi just moments of the U.S. attack.  Many are unaware of America’s True hatred for Gadhafi that stems from his consistent refusal to do Business with the United States in the World Crude Oil Industry. Just like Hugo Charves who’s Nation just happens to be on fertile soil harvesting a couple of the most enriched Oil territories on the Planet Earth. In fact the intelligent mind can clearly see that every Nation that has been in conflict with the U.S. since World War II has been against Countries with vast Mineral and Oil reserves. This brings me to this question. Why has America continued to attack these types of Nations which also by the way, happen to be Countries whose citizens are People of Color. It’s not hard to tell what the U.S. is up too. The bottom line is that the so called National Uprising in Libya, which I suspect was spearheaded by the CIA, has absolutely nothing to do with America Citizens. Suddenly we are so concerned about the welfare of the Libyan People, yet we still have massive Financial, Social, and Environmental woes of our own here in the U.S. Not just that, but there is a serious Crisis in Japan that could ultimately impact the entire Human Race, and our priorities are attacking another Country? None of this is new.

In fact America has been conducting these kinds of Military Campaigns against Independent Countries who stand up to her bullying aggression for decades. Many seem so surprised that Barak Obama would condone such a thing. It’s Business as usual and having a Black President (who is blood related to every President before him) makes no difference when it comes to America’s will to continue to dominate the World Stage at the expense of the lives of countless Human Beings. Stop thinking that Obama is a Savior. He is no such a thing except part of the same establishment. This conflict will prove in the end to be the Mother of all battles. One last thing. Your votes did not elect Obama into Office. It was agreed upon and resolved in the Redwood Hills of Northern California. News Flash!!!

When reports first emerged about 16 year old Honor Student Phylicia Barnes, the Media reported that details were very sketchy about the Beautiful Monroe, N.C. teen’s disappearance, and only offered the rationalization that the child went missing after walking to a local establishment to purchase food. Police have only dispersed minimal information regarding the Investigation now underway in hopes of establishing the whereabouts of the very studious Barnes Kid. Recently, I have found a Blog Talk Interview conducted with Older Siblings Deena, Kelly, and Brian Barnes by Peas In a Pod Radio. The Interview shed new light on the case, revealing facts not previously mentioned in Media Reports. Also, many are said to have listened to the Radio Broadcast with Raised Eyebrows, questioning the judgment of Deena Barnes the Sister whom Phylicia was staying with, and challenged her account of the events leading up to her Baby Sister’s disappearance. It has been long established that Young Phylicia was last seen by the Boyfriend of elder Sister Deena. The Media Accounts reported that he last saw her walking to a local store for food. I have personally expressed my suspicions about that account, because of the fact that Phylicia was not from Baltimore, didn’t know anyone there other than her Siblings, and questioned why he didn’t look after the teen or notify Deena about her wondering off without supervision. As it turns out, the Blog Talk Interview revealed that the Boyfriend is actually an Ex Boyfriend of Deena Barnes, and still had access to the apartment where the pretty teen was staying along with Deena. Many have expressed complete displeasure with that fact which can only be characterized by a Blog Talk Listener’s quote, “Not Good, Not Good at All”.

During the BT Interview Deena stated that her Ex was there for the purpose of moving out of the apartment and to pick up a Younger Brother (Deena changed her story later on in the Broadcast, stating the Ex was there to pick up his Cousin). He called Deena around 11 a.m. EST to advise her that he was at the apartment, and that Phylicia was falling asleep on the couch. A Young Brother? So, there were actually 2 men at the apartment with Phylicia Barnes on the morning of her disappearance! Did Deena Barnes leave her Baby Sister at the apartment with a Strange Male? Deena said in the BTI she last saw Phylicia around 8:45 a.m. EST prior to leaving for work. Was this Male Cousin of the Ex there at the apartment when she left? More poignantly, if the Younger Cousin/Brother, which ever account is true, wasn’t there prior to Deena’s departure for work, why did he come to the apartment? Does he live there? This doesn’t make sense, and doesn’t add up! As the BTI went on the Sister’s accounts got even more Bazaar. Both older Sisters Deena and Kelly state that they had text with Phylicia on that morning, and had been discussing plans for later on that day. They had planned to do some shopping and make a Hair Dresser Appointment. Older Sister Kelly was supposed to pick up Phylicia after she got off from work. Kelly stated during the Interview that she planned to get off from work that day around 1.30 p.m. EST. It was revealed later on that Kelly never in fact picked her Little Sister up at all, I believe that she stated she called Phylicia, could not reach her and assumed that Deena had already picked the child up, and she changed her plans on getting Phylicia. Kelly never stated whether or not she called Deena to verify if Phylicia was with Deena or why she didn’t go by to physically check on her Baby Sister. As a Listener of the Blog Talk interview, I have to tell you that I was very troubled by these accounts. Deena Arrived home around 6 p.m. EST and discovered that Phylicia was not there. A short time later, according to Deena, she sounded the alarm and notified their Father. Both Deena and Kelly say they exchanged Text Messages with Phylicia and their  communication stopped around 12 p.m. EST. You mean to tell me from 12 – 1:30 p.m. ( the time frame when they last heard from Phylicia and when Kelly was supposed to pick her up), 1:30 – 6 p.m. (the time frame from when Kelly was supposed to get Phylicia and the time Deena got home) neither of these two adult females checked on their Baby Sister, who was a complete stranger to Baltimore, and at least one of them (Deena) knew possibly that at least two Men had been in the apartment with Phylicia on the morning of her disappearance? This is very unusual based on the Baltimore Culture that I know. The other troubling circumstances that I have with the Sisters accounts is that neither say they talked to her on that morning. They both reportedly received Text Messages from Phylicia. However, Deena did admit speaking with her EX, who told her Phylicia was falling asleep on the couch, and this was around 1:30 p.m. EST. You take the Ex Boyfriend’s word that your Baby Sister whom he does not know is safe and not in harms way? Did Deena even question why the Younger Cousin/Brother of her Ex was at the apartment? I mean he is an Ex Boyfriend who is moving out! Moving out I said! This leads me to a common sense theory I have about this Young child’s disappearance. Could it be possible that the Younger Sibling of the Ex was there for the purpose of helping him move personal items out of the apartment? Perhaps having your  Precious Baby Sister over as a House Guest may not have been a good idea while your in the middle of a breakup with your Boyfriend. That’s just me, but anyway! As a Native Baltimorean I know the area very well where the Apartment Complex is located, where Phylicia was staying with her Sister, and it is very common for Tenants to back a Moving Truck or vehicle up to the door of the building while moving in and out of their apartment. Watch this Video of local Charlotte, N.C. WCNC TV’s News clip, and observe where the Police K-9 lost the scent of young Phylicia Barnes.

WCNC TV: Missing Teen’s siblings believe Phylicia Barnes is still alive

Now, could it be possible, following my theory of how Tenants move in and out of apartment buildings in Baltimore, that the only two known Males to have reportedly been the last person(s) to see Phylicia alive, carried her body out of the apartment in some kind of container and loaded it onto their Moving Vehicle? Based on details highlighted in the Nightly News Broadcast, the trail of Phylicia last steps ends right at the front door of the Apartment Building. Also,I can’t help but wonder why Phylicia was falling asleep around the time that Older Sister Kelly was supposed to pick her up, and why Deena never asked to speak with Phylicia after having learned that two Men were there with this pretty little girl. The rationalization Deena offered, “we said well just let her sleep” doesn’t set well with me. It is quite possible that the Ex was sending Deena and Kelly the Text Messages to them on the morning and afternoon of that day. Why Text each other? Why not just call your 16 year old Sister? During the BTI Deena Barnes declined to mention the Ex Boyfriend’s (who has now hired an Attorney) name, initially stated the other Male at the apartment was young, but later said he was older than Phylicia. Moreover, during the BTI I could detect stress in Deena Barne’s voice when responding to certain pertinent questions surrounding the events of that day. At one point it seems as she paused for an eternity to respond to a question. Kelly seemed extremely nervous, timid, and appeared to be on the brink of disclosing something. The Older Brother, Brian, seemed to be the only one with a genuine interest in locating the whereabouts of Young Phylicia Barnes. At times during the BTI Kelly appeared to be non-attentive, unfocused, and appeared coached as you could practically hear someone whispering in the background. The other point of note is that Deena left the Radio Broadcast mid show for some unknown reason, and she has been consistently avoiding Media Exposure. Come on! We are talking about the disappearance of your Baby Sister! What on Earth could possibly be more important than that? Make no mistake about it, it is clear to me and many others who listened to the Blog Talk Interview of the Barnes Siblings, that Deena and Kelly have more information regarding the disappearance of their Baby Sister then what they are willing to communicate to Police. The fact they none of the Siblings seem to cast suspicion on the Ex Boyfriend and or his Younger Relative speaks volumes. Why would Deena protect an Ex in a case like this? Either they know what happened to Phylicia or they were directly involved! The Blog Talk Interview was as enlightening as it was disturbing. Listen for your self.

Blog Talk Interview With Barnes Siblings

I will keep you  posted as I continue in my efforts of trying to assist Authorities in locating and finding out what happened to Young Phylicia Barnes right here on the People’s Champion Blog!

13 years Later And The Nightmares Still Come

Warning: Blog Post may be Extremely Offensive

On occasion I would work the 11-7 shift. For me it was a chance to get some relaxation, the Inmates are all locked in, and the hardest part of working the shift, so I thought, was the body count. We were required to walk the tiers and awake Inmates in the middle of the night and have them stick their hand out so we could read their Inmate I.D. number. That was always a task because every other Inmate was hostile toward you. It was required though, 3 body counts during the shift was the only way you could be assured nobody had penetrated an escape, and it helped make sure everyone was safe. Safe by Jail standards meant the man was alive and breathing. there is nothing safe about being housed on the Steel Side. It seems as even in the early morning hours no one is safe, that’s why we had to walk the Catwalk (Caged perimeter) flashing your light looking for any sign of trouble. Some of the Inmates told me that they liked when I worked their section, because they could hear my Keys dangling as I walked the tiers. For them it was a sign that someone was looking out. Someone was actually working, and it gave assurance that help was just a few footsteps away. To others, the patter of steps, and dangling keys was an alarm. Inmates are notorious for passing kites (notes or messages), contraband and other items from cell to cell. Some had other criminal or rule violation intent and the only opportunity to execute their sadistic plans was when the CO wasn’t looking. As I walked or while I was sitting at my desk, I could hear faint whimpering, moans, and sometimes cries of distress. Those sounds could only be from one thing. Cell mates fighting or even more dreadful, the sounds were from young men or homosexuals being penetrated by another man. The sounds usually are followed by laughter from other inmates as everyone knew what was occurring. Sometimes I would hear  crude comments like, “Tear that mother fucker’s ass up”, “He fucking that nigga in the ass”, and “Save some of that asshole for me”. There were also those who were annoyed by the loud chatter, and would rebuke the hecklers by highlighting the fact that their excitement and jubilation condones homosexuality. Others called them faggits outright. This jail house dialogue almost certainly sparked a conflict. An Inmate would say, “Shut up mother fucker before I fuck you in your ass”. The selling of wolf tickets (Threats & Invitations to fight) would began. I would have to go to the location on the tiers and attempt to quiet the Inmates down. My efforts were often times futile as these kinds of incidents just gave Inmates something to talk, joke, and laugh about throughout the night. I would then have walk the tiers again to make sure a rape was not in progress as sex by inmates were a violation of Jail Policy. As I would get closer to the jail cell where the incident was, sometimes I could here bumps and thumps. and someone saying, “shut the fuck up”, which was typically the Inmate perpetrating the rape, beating his victim in an attempt to silence the Inmate who was being raped. I would stop and talk to some Inmates, conduct a visual search of the cell, and look for signs of an altercation. The Inmates would never tell. An Inmate who told, even after having been raped would be a marked man, because he would be deemed a snitcher, a major taboo by Jail standards, and he would have to pay a severe price if word got around he was cooperating with Jail Police. What I would often find, was Inmates housed in violation of policy (Inmates in a cell they are not assigned) It took me awhile to figure out what was going on. Inmates would threaten other Inmates and force them into a cell where the rape would occur. This all happened before Lock Time. Also, known homosexuals would trade contraband (Cigarettes, Money, and Drugs)  as well as commissary items like Cookies, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Oodles of Noodles, Deodorant, and Sneakers etc. in exchange for sex. When an Inmate was found illegally housed, an investigation was conducted to find out why the man was not in his correct cell. These Inmates would never tell, and I would issue them a Ticket (Jail Infraction Notice) which meant they were sent to a Disciplinary Hearing, and often times would have to spend some time on Segregation (Lockup and held in cell 23 hours a day) and allowed out out their cell for only 1 hour.

To the weak or intimidated Inmate, this was a gift as the Segregation Unit served as a shelter for Inmates who were being bullied. Over the years I have taking several Inmates to the MDC (Men’s Detention Center) Clinic for complaints of rectal bleeding. The Inmate had to be discrete though, because if anyone knew about this, he would be a target for other Jail Sex Predators. If I ever found out about an Inmate raping someone, I would make certain that it was known to Staff and the Inmate Population. A tactic utilized to deter Jail House Raping, as the embarrassment of being classified as a Rapist brought repercussions. The inmate would be deemed either homosexual or targeted for rape by other inmates who despised such practices. Is this the right thing to do? Probably not, but it serves it’s Justice turning the table on would be Rapist and giving them a chance to experience how it feels to be raped. It also served as an Investigative tool for future Rape incidents, because Jail Staff could narrow down possible suspects if known Jail House Rapist were in the proximity where Rape Cries were overheard. To the experienced CO, it is not hard to tell which Inmates are running around Raping people. One time I overheard an Inmate telling another, young white kid, make sure you get all of those shit stains out of them draws. The Inmate was in the shower washing underwear. Dominate Inmates force their victims to perform humiliating acts to show dominance and to let others know that a man was their property. It isn’t always the typical white, young, and weak Inmate who falls prey to these kinds of criminals. If it were a Predominant White Inmate population, young Black Men would fall prey in these environments also, and likewise in Institutions with other Predominant Ethnicities.  I find it repulsive that grown men with the psuedo-macho Bravado demeanors claim stake to Street Credibility of having been to Prison and survived the ordeal, but hide behind the reality of having performed or victimized by homosexual acts. The Rape Screams in the Dark of the Night have always troubled me, and I wonder if I could have done more. The culture of Jail Life haunts me still to this day.

Next: BCDC’s Steel Side: The Night That Tyrone Pinder Died

It’s 317 a.m. EST and I am up again, cup of coffee in my hand, and shaking like a Junkie who needs a fix. I slow drag on a frog and wipe the type of my head in a backward motion trying to gain my composure, while starring glassy eyed into the T.V., but it’s not on. Then the Pacing comes. Walking back in forth from one area of the house to the next, and trying to keep my mind occupied. After a little while I get tired again and I climb back into bed. I’m good for the rest of the night. The only problem though, is these sequence of events are ongoing. The result of awakening in the dark of the night with flash backs from some horrifying stories which I am about to share with you. My days working as a Correctional Officer at the Baltimore City Detention Center are still with me as Ghost of the Past remind me of the horrors of life on The Steel Side.

Fast Rewind: J Section First Floor North Building 1995; Population Class Maximum Security

It’s Late Summer and the Steel must be 185 degrees or at least it sure felt like it. The Baltimore City Police Commissioner has implemented a Zero Tolerance Ordinance for the City, in a Campaign to show muscle targeting Violent Crimes, and trying to gain Political Points for upcoming Elections. Everybody in there Mother who gave Cops a hard time that year ended up at Central Booking. The Jail was so overcrowded that Housing Units designed to house 100 Inmates were now Holding 400. As the Population grew the Correctional Staff was cut. You had to pay some serious dues working down there in the hole where all Rookie COs start out. Who ever came up with that idea must have been Mentally Ill. I can’t dramatize it enough for you, but to make it plain, image trying to keep 400 angry, violent, irritated felons locked behind a Steel Cage that had to be open like every other minute. Then try  keeping an accurate count on your Front Gate Sheet (Official Body Count List). Then make your rounds on the tiers (thats right you had to walk among them) to make sure nobody was getting Raped or Shanked to Death. Oops! Wait a minute I have to call a Code 10-16 (Inmate fight) J section, 10-16 J-Section. The Jail Control Center hears my transmission and Radios Jail Wide. All J Units 10-16 J-Section, 10-16 J-Section! All available Units Please Respond.  I step back from the Steel Grille looking into the Hall, then I see them coming (responding Jail Police), and at that time I step back in and unlock the Grille. Those Inmates who know the drill get out of the way, but those who choose to be spectators are met with a rush from a wave of Correctional Staff responding to quell the disturbance. The next thing you hear is the cries, screams, and anxiety of inmates being met with extremely violent force. Some fight back, but their efforts are futile as they are pummeled, kicked, and stomped until their injuries require treatment at the Local Emergency Room. The Building Commander is satisfied his Unit is back under control and puts out a 10-32 (Sufficient Units on the Scene) call to Jail Control. The  Inmates are carried or escorted away, and life goes back to normal like nothing ever happened. It’s Lunch time and now I have to open these Steel Grilles to allow Working Men (Inmates) on to the Section to feed my guys. They could have anything on them from money, drugs, cigarettes, or a shank. So I command them, “On the Wall Gentleman” (Hands on the Wall in preparation for Frisk search) They Buck (refuse), and I call another Code. Code 2 J-Section, Code 2 J-Section, and again Jail Control dispatches additional Jail Units to my Section, but this time the Code is a Call for Assistance from a Correctional Officer. Somebody is about to go to the Hospital (shock Trauma). See a 10-16 is a routine call to break up an Inmate Fight, and the only Officers who responded to those kinds of calls were the Bad Asses who wanted to, and liked to fight. Any kind of Code that gave the slightest impression that a Correctional Officer was in harms way typical drew response from everybody working in the facility that day, even from other buildings. After I called the Code they wanted to comply and began begging for me to call off the dogs. (Booking Dogs. I’ll explain later) It was too late, besides I knew their initial resistance to my request to  search them only meant one thing. They were Dirty (carrying something on their person) and I was in danger anyway. One thing I learned in Corrections, and that is if I have to fight, I want the upper hand. So the Jail Units respond to my section and beat the pure shit out of these guys. Four of them were carried away on stretchers, and in the process of it all, some guys started to mouth off at the Police from behind the Steel Grille. A CO used a Master Key to open the Grille and went on the Tier. A huge fight broke out, and the Lieutenant orders a Lock Down. The Inmates Buck causing the Brass to call off all Jail Units from the Housing Unit. By this time J-1 (the Major) has arrived on the scene. I can say this with complete conviction. J-1 was the most vial, cruddy, and calculated piece of shit that I have ever encountered on the face of the Earth. J-1 Radios to Control to put the entire Complex on MSC (Maximum Security Conditions) which was a complete Lockdown. This meant the only thing moving Inmate wise was escorted by Correctional Staff. Control advises that all Housing Units are now Secure, and J-1 Calls a Code Red (Tactical Situation). Every CO assigned to the Tac Team responded to the Segregation unit to Suit Up (Riot Gear). I hear them coming and I step back out of the way. I really didn’t know what to expect, because I had heard about the Tac Team (a.ka. Booking Dogs) which had guys with nicknames like Pitbull and Satan etc., but I had never seen them in action. J-1 steps to the Grille and announces to the Inmates, “anybody on this housing Unit who don’t want any of this lock in your Cells now”. A few complied, but the general Inmate Code was never show fear to others especially Jail Police, so the majority continued to Buck. J-1 steps back and looks down the Hall and nods his head signaling the Tac Commander indicating he had a Green Light to take back the Section. Now I’m standing there watching this feeling pretty bad, 5 Inmates have already been sent for Medical Treatment all Bloodied up, and this looked like it was about to get even more Brutal. I mean the Working Men situation was one thing, because those guys were completely out of order, but the fight that started this last incident was sparked by Staff. The Inmates were locked behind the Grille and that was a controlled situation. The Police went in there and started some shit with the Inmates. I totally disagree with this Use of Force. So, the Grilles are opened and I will not describe what occurred for obvious reasons, but it was probably one of the most heinous acts of Use of Force that I observed in my entire Tenure at BCDC. I made the decision at that moment that I would never call another Code unless I knew for a fact that I was about to be killed. I never called another Code again while working there.

Like most Law Enforcement Agencies, there are Codes of Conduct that Officers are expected to adhere too. The Maryland Inmate Population at that time was roughly 750 Inmates to 1 Correctional Officer Statewide. The general consensus was that if an Inmate committed an act of violence against Jail Police, they were to be sent 911 to Shock Trauma. I even remember J-1 saying this during lineup a few times. The greatest fear by Jail Management was that Staff was so outnumbered by the Inmate Population that such violent measures had to instituted as a deterrent to acts of violence against Jail Employees. I disagreed with that. I never understood the idea of 12-15 COs Kicking and stomping a man. That’s completely unnecessary and excessive force. I defend my position with the fact that in all the years I was Employed there, I never once had to put my hands on an Inmate, and I don’t think it was because Inmates were fearful that they might get beat badly. I think it was because of the way I conducted myself. Just because a man is incarcerated, that doesn’t make him any less of a man. People make mistakes, and if not but for God, there go I. Prisons have been getting away with these kinds of crimes for Centuries, because Society’s outlook on prisoners is that their the dregs of society, and they should be treated badly. I disagree once again. However, I some what empathize with the mindset that some Violent Offenders have committed acts so heinous that Society would benefit by their removal from humanity. Prisons are like a jungle with nothing but caged animals. I am here to also bare witness that many of those so called animals are men and women dressed in Blue Uniforms.

Fast Forward:  K Section Recreation Mass Movement

One of the biggest fears in any Correctional Setting is large movements of Inmate Populations from one part of the Institution to the next. Federal Decree says that Inmates are entitled to recreation time by Law. K section is adjacent to J Section and by far 2 of the worst Housing Units in all of the Jail. There is a Court Yard and the MDC (Men’s Detention Center) Gym to provided this Federal Mandated recreation for the Inmates. They alternate using the Facilities, meaning if a Section used the Gym one day, the next Rec would have to be outside in the Courtyard. Jail Control Radios J-45 are you ready for Rec. I acknowledge yes, open both Grilles, and stand back while the 400 Inmates pile out into the halls in route upstairs to the 3rd floor. My eyes are peeled on them watching    diligently as many a people have been killed during Mass Movements. Not only that, but some of the worst Prison Riots in History were the result of Planed attacks on Correctional Staff during Mass Movements of  Violent Inmates. My job is to observe until everyone is off the Housing Unit and in route to Rec. I must then Patrol the section insuring that no one was left behind. Oh shit! I hear a code. 10-16 First Floor North Building. That’s right outside my Section. I run out onto the floor and saw a man down near the Key Post (Station which Controls Traffic Flow). He was bleeding extremely bad. I look closer and I see a large chunk of metal protruding from about his eye. He is screaming as if he was being burned alive, and I was frozen almost to a complete shock. I had never seen anything remotely close to that before. The blood was pouring out the man’s face so bad it looked like a Water Main Break, but only on his face. I hear the radio again, “Control we have a man with a sever puncture womb. He is gonna need to go 911”. I honestly don’t recall anything that happened next. In fact I couldn’t tell you what happened for the next few weeks. I was pretty much numb to all going on around me. I was a Zombie and St Pauli’s Girl Lager was my Medicine of choice to cope with my working reality. I do recall someone mentioning to me later on the day of the incident that the Inmate didn’t make it. No shit! How could he with blood pouring out of his face onto the floor like Niagara Falls. What I learned later on during the Investigative Process is that the Inmate should have never been assigned to my Housing Unit. He was charged with a Sex Crime and the Inmate who perpetrated the attack on him was a relative of the victim. When Defendants who are charged with these kinds of crimes enter the Facility, the Administration typically puts a tag on them. For instance do not House in POP (Population), because certain crimes are extremely heinous even by Inmate Standards. The Inmate was slated to be House in PC ( Protective Custody) and some how at the last minute is Housing Class was altered. The Only person(s) who has the ability to do that is Traffic Officers (Assign and Track Inmate Housing) or a Supervisory Lieutenant and above. Explain that to me. No I’ll explain it. I find it very ironic that not only was this man’s Housing Class changed, but he just happened to end up on the same Unit as the Brother of the Victim listed on his charging documents. Much of the violence in Prisons are spearheaded, condoned, and conspired by Correctional Staff along with Inmates. I got the message early on. Don’t trust anyone, and by all means watch your back.

— To be continued

Next: BCDC’s Steel Side II: Rape Screams In The Dark Of The Night

They say the economy is bad right now, but I still see people driving around in Lexus Sedans, Lamborginis, wearing Rolex Watches, and a trip to any local Night Spot is like a scene out of the popular T.V. Series Entourage. More and more society appears to be concern with Social Popularity, Status Symbolism, and keeping up with their neighbors Mr & Mrs Jones. Coming from an impoverish  background, I have always kept it simple. I don’t wear Jewelry, shop the discount section at Macy’s, and basically try to live within my own means. Now, to a lot of females I know, that’s an immediate turn off. It seems as if the old adage about a man being measured by the face of the green backs in his wallet or his credit rating still holds true by modern society’s standards. Not all woman are like that though. Thank God. I must admit that it took me a long time to come to that level of objectivity. When we have experienced certain character traits within others continuously, we tend to place labels or categorize an entire group based on our negative interaction with individuals which we seem to forget, that we ultimately chose to associate.  I am guilty of this, however, I can honestly say that my attraction by others seems to always lean toward what I could provide them. I have played the game well, now in my mid-40’s, and 2 kids out of wedlock later, I am still very simple in terms of how I live, and my perception toward materialism remains the same. My Parents Union was founded on the idea of partnership, working to provide for their kids, and taught all of us that those luxuries in life that many people seek could be obtained through diligence and hard work. Only cautioning us to be mindful that for every dollar spent, that there should be at least a dollar saved for a rainy day. For a lot of people that sort of conscious long term kind of thinking never enters their thought process when delving into their pockets to buy those Ugg Boots, the latest fashion, or upgrading their 2 year old BMW. Perhaps it’s living in Poverty during my youth that has me in a budgetary state of mind. Maybe, “I’m out of my League” Socially and Economically, as my Son’s Grand Father once told me, that has me micro managing the money I spend. I don’t exactly know what it is, but a lot of people who look like me sure have a lot more to spend then I do, so it seems. The reality of it all when your talking about that Socio-Economic perception that many seem to care so much about, is that barring Credit Cards, support from your Spouse, Mom & Dad, or what ever support base  you have, we live from pay check to pay check. People won’t admit that for what ever reason. It’s true though, unless you have a serious Investment Portfolio that you can cash in and retire, like the rest of us, your working to survive. You can’t tell this from your friends and those who you associate with though, because many of them would have you thinking, if you let them tell it, that they are living the good life and the American Dream. Sipping champagne on the shores of Malibu, Vacationing in Aruba, making a six figure income, and pushing a $100k automobile every 2 years. Hey some probably are living that lifestyle and I tip my hat to them. Many of us in the real world though, know this kind of living is still much to be desired. I think people are really confused about what the “American Dream” is.  People have the idea that the more material and financial wealth that you obtain that you have arrived at the pinnacle of success. That’s not necessarily true. I know a lot of people who have money coming out of their rear, but have a unfaithful spouse, cronic illness, or are simply unhappy as a general rule. So, what is success? what is the American Dream? We all know this is ambiguous by the very nature of society’s diverse culture. people will come up with all kinds of rationalizations for why they spend their finances on the foolish things they buy. Some will say you only live once! I work hard all week and I deserve to treat myself. I could go on and on. You have to ask yourself, “do you think it’s wise” to go on 4 Cruises every year, only to end up with a cash shortage come September when little Sarah needs school clothes. The story I am about to share with you gave me the urge to Blog about this topic, because I really don’t think that most have a clue or even care for that matter. People live well above their means and often find themselves in a very embarrassing predicament.

I pull up to 7/11 last night and there are 2 Stratford Town Police cruisers and a Taxi Cab parked outside. I enter the store and notice that there is a very large Leather Gucci Bag on the counter, all of it’s contents spread about, and see Police speaking with a very well dressed African American female in the rear of the store. I am a regular customer. The store clerk knows me well. I ask him what’s going on. He tells me that the lady doesn’t have money to pay her cab fare. I’m like Wow! Then I hear the Police say to her, “Why are you pressing balance? Balance won’t give you cash, besides that’s a Credit Card!” First thing I think is, she is  stalling. The Cab Driver comes in and says hey look I have to go. I am losing money waiting here. he then exclaims to the lady, “That’s a very nice coat. I’ll take that for the fair”, in a very sarcastic tone as if he was mocking her appearance, but she lack cash to pay a simple cab fare. The lady yells back to him, “Are you fucking crazy? This is a $25,000 Chinchilla”. She was so arrogant about the fact that her clothes were expensive, but didn’t seem to grasp how clownish her predicament appeared to onlookers. So the Police give her ample time to try and come up with the $20 bucks she owes the cabbie, but to no avail she doesn’t have it. Now, correct me if I am wrong. The only way that a credit card doesn’t grant a cash withdrawal is if the Card has been placed in pickup status or she had exceeded her spending limit. Meaning that the Creditor is requesting that the Card be surrendered or they simply deactivated it. How do you not know this. Well, like somebody said, “shit happens” and this is true, but you don’t catch a Cab to go get cash. Hell you could be driving around all night trying to find a working ATM. This was very embarrassing. I even felt embarrassed and I didn’t have anything to do with it. It’s just that she made a spectacle of herself, the Cops were both White, and everyone else in the store looking on were White as well. So the Police become restless and decide to arrest her. Now she is shocked, acts as if a crime was being committed against her, and didn’t seem to understand what grounds they were going to arrest her. She demands to know what she is being placed under arrest for, and before the Police could respond, I said to her, “for theft of service”. The Police turns and looks at me and said, “yes, for theft of service”. She is really upset now crying saying they are locking her up on her Birthday. They place her in the Police cruiser, and at the last minute I was asked, “why don’t you buy something and let her pay for it with her Credit Card and you give her the cash”. I considered it, but I couldn’t overcome the lady’s arrogance. She had on enough jewelry to put Mr. T to shame. If she really wanted too, she could have settled the fare with the cabbie, besides I think she was running a scheme that backfired on her. Everyone isn’t a sucker for a Pretty Woman. People need to learn to live within their means, and if they just simply have to have life’s luxuries, then they should make sure that before they shell out $25,000 on a Fur Coat, they have enough cab fare to get home. If not then the American Dream just might be a Bust or busted in her case. I can’t help but think how she felt sitting in that holding cell at Central Booking wearing that damn coat. What a Bust!