Show Notes

The Unintended Consequence of Maryland’s New Gun Laws

In 2022, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the “proper cause” gun permit  requirements of New York prevent law-abiding citizens from free exercise of their second amendment rights to keep and bear arms in public for ordinary self-defense. This decision effectively negated Maryland law. In its very next session, the Maryland General Assembly passed…

“Characteristics of an Armed Person”

On May 11th, 2023, Baltimore Police Detective Cedric Elleby shot a fleeing suspect holding a semiautomatic handgun with an extended magazine in his right hand. The young man had not fired the weapon at the time he was shot. He was not pointing the pistol at Detective Elleby or anyone else. He was running away…

Death on the F Train; A New York Story

Daniel Penny is charged with manslaughter, second degree, after holding Jordan Neely in a choke hold on the NY City Subway F Train. In this episode, Serge and Clarke discuss this sad, but compelling, case. 

Stand Your Ground Doesn’t Legalize Illegal Deadly Force

In rural New York, a 65-year old man fired two shots from his porch killing a young woman in a car who was lost and turned around in his driveway. In Missouri, an 84-year old man fired two shots from his front door injuring a teenager who rang his bell, mistakenly at the wrong address…

Seven Calif Highway Patrolmen Charged in Death of Edward Bronstein

Two months before the death of George Floyd, seven California Highway Patrolmen—including a Sergeant and one nurse—held a handcuffed behind his back, Edward Bronstein, face down to take blood in a DUI case pursuant to a search warrant. Bronstein screamed that he couldn’t breathe. The incident was videotaped. Bronstein died during the incident allegedly due…

Qualifications to be the Police Chief

Serge and Clarke “reimagine” the qualifications to be a police chief in 2023. We tell you what cops say they want; want the IACP says it wants; and what the DOJ says it wants in a police chief. But, Serge lists his list of qualifications and Clarke lists his. We guarantee you that some of…

Massachusetts Inmates May be Permitted to Lower Sentences by Organ Donations

Serge and Clarke discuss a controversial January 2023 proposal in the Massachusetts legislature to let Massachusetts inmates reduce their prison sentences by donating bone marrow or organs, such as a kidney. Their are pros and cons of course and these ideas are the subject of today’s podcast.  

Reverend PM Smith Preaches to the Choir: Serge and Clarke

Reverend P.M. Smith, Pastor of the Huber Memorial Church in Baltimore City is this week’s guest on Black and White and Thin Blue Lines. Pastor Smith brings an unmatched focus on crime in Baltimore. He is a Baltimore born and raised former criminal defense attorney and now the Pastor of Christian community. If you watch…

The Death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis

On January 7, 2023, the Memphis Police Department’s Scorpion Unit stopped and caused serious physical injury to 29-year-old Tyre Nichols. Mr. Nichols died in a hospital three days later. Five officers were fired on January 20, 2023. The same five officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr., and Justin Smith…

Fatal Police Encounters – 2022

In the first episode of 2023, Serge and Clarke discuss an alarming statistic: 2022 had more people killed by law enforcement than at any time since police deadly force has been tracked. Also, there was an increase in the number of police officers who were shot in the line of duty.