Crippen Two Day Trial Begins

SNOW HILL -- The first day of what is expected to be a two-day court trail for Alexander Crippen began with testimony from about a dozen people, including Torrance Davis, whom Crippen is charged with trying to kill.

Crippen is charged with the first- and second-degree attempted murder of Davis, along with first- and second-degree assault charges and other related offenses.

Deputy State's Attorney Michael Farlow and Crippen's attorney, Arthur McGreevy, presented opening statements before Judge Richard R. Bloxom before the state began to call its witnesses.

Davis testified that on the night of the shooting he heard a "boom, then pop, pop, pop, pop."

Police found a Bushmaster assault rifle, AR-15, at 503 Laurel St., about one block away from where the shooting took place.

Davis also testified that he had been at the scene of the shooting for about 10 minutes when, he said, Crippen "just started shooting."

"I think he emptied his clip ... maybe six or seven shots," said Davis. "I seen the fire come out of the gun."

An officer from the Pocomoke City Police Department, who was one of the first officers on the scene, testified that when she asked Davis to tell her who shot Handy, he was unable to.

"As I was tending to the victim, I said, 'If you know who did this,' you need to tell me," the officer testified, indicating she lowered her voice so people standing in the crowd could not hear her. "He just kept saying 'R.J., breathe' ... he didn't answer me or say anything in response to the question."

Crippen was previously charged with the shooting death of Reginald Jerome Handy Jr., Davis's cousin, who was found dead at the scene the night of the events now being discussed at trial. But the charge of murder was dismissed at a pretrial motions hearing last week, leaving the lesser attempted murder and assault charges, which are still felonies.

www.delmarvanow.com

New Worcester County Sheriff And Chief Deputy Sworn In

SNOW HILL -- A standing-room-only crowd watched as, for the first time in more than a decade, a new law enforcement leader took the reins in Worcester County as Sheriff Reggie Mason was sworn in.

Mason, who was elected sheriff in November, was sworn in by Clerk of Court Stephen Hales as Mason's family, sheriff's deputies and a crowd of supporters watched.

"It's an honor to be in front of you," Mason said. "This is a special day for me and my family."

Mason -- a 28-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office who most recently served as chief deputy -- defeated Democratic candidate Bobby Brittingham in last month's election to take over as head of county law enforcement for Charles Martin, who chose not to run for re-election. Mason thanked Martin, who has held the post for 12 years, and said he hoped his health improved so he could do some traveling in his retirement. In January, Martin publicly disclosed he has Lyme disease and cited that as a reason he wouldn't run again.

Mason, a Republican, thanked his array of supporters, many of whom were in the crowded quarters, as well as those who taught him about police work. He said being elected sheriff meant a lot to him, especially since he lost a sister and his father-in-law during the campaign.

He assured those present that he would continue to ride the county's roads day and night.

"I will continue to make Worcester County safe," he said.

In light of recent fatal accidents on Route 113 in Worcester, Mason said the road's safety would be one of his priorities.

"We've got to do something about 113," he said. "The Worcester County Sheriff's Office will be involved."

Following Mason's installment as sheriff, John Dale Smack III was sworn in as chief deputy of the Sheriff's Office. He said he was looking forward to the opportunity.

"I will do the best I can for you," he said.

www.delmarvanow.com

Ceremonies Take Place This Morning In Snow Hill

Sheriff-elect Reggie T. Mason will be sworn in today as the Sheriff of Worcester County by The Honorable Stephen Hales, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County.

Following the swearing in of Sheriff-Elect Mason, John Dale Smack III will be sworn in as the Chief Deputy of the Sheriff's Office, followed by the swearing in of the Deputies of the Sheriff's Office.

The ceremonies will be held today, Monday, December 6, 2010 in the County Commissioner' Meeting Room, County Government Center in Snow Hill, Maryland.

Snow Hill will be bustling today with activity.

I'm sure Worcester County citizens are looking forward to the changes that can only make Worcester County an even greater place to live.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!

Ben Sifrit Denied Latest Appeal By Federal Judge

OCEAN CITY – Convicted killer Benjamin Sifrit, who, along with his wife Erika, brutally murdered a Virginia couple vacationing in Ocean City on Memorial Day weekend in 2002, this week had his latest attempt at an appeal shot down by a federal court judge.

After U.S. District Court Judge Richard D. Bennett struck down Sifrit’s bid for a new trial in late October, the convicted killer embarked on a new path, filing an appeal last week with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District, using the same basic argument as his earlier attempts.

Throughout the lengthy appeal process, Sifrit has argued he was denied his right to due process because prosecutors presented inconsistent theories against he and his wife during their separate trials in 2003. Essentially, Sifrit argued prosecutors used slightly different versions of the same facts during the two trials in order to get convictions for both defendants.

After his latest appeal was denied on Oct. 21 at the U.S. District Court level, Sifrit quickly filed an appeal for relief from the higher U.S. Court of Appeals, arguing the same basic premise.

However, Judge Bennett this week issued an order denying Sifrit the “certificate of appealability” needed to move forward with his appeal to the higher court.

“A habeas petitioner has no absolute entitlement to appeal a district court’s denial of his motion,” the judge’s order reads. “A certificate of appealability may issue only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. A petitioner must demonstrate that reasonable jurists would find the district court’s assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong.”

In his order, Bennett said Sifrit had not met the requirements for the court to issue the certificate. However, he did not entirely close the door on any future appeal.

“This court will not issue a certificate of appealability because Sifrit has not made the requisite showing,” the judge’s order reads. “Denial of a certificate of appealability does not prevent Sifrit from seeking a certificate of appealability from the appellant court.”

In April 2003, Benjamin Sifrit was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and accessory after the fact for his part in the killing of Martha Crutchley in an Ocean City condominium on Memorial Day weekend in 2002 and was sentenced to 38 years in jail. His wife, Erika, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Joshua Ford, and second-degree murder in the death of Crutchley in a separate trial in Frederick, Md. that same year and was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years.
By: Shawn J. Shoper
www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Worcester Animal Control Seeks Pet Food Donations

NEWARK--Worcester County Animal Control officers are asking for pet food donations to help feed hungry pets this winter.

Worcester County Animal Control (WCAC) is seeking small bags of dog and cat food for its second annual Secret Santa Pet Food Drive.

Donations can be delivered to the Animal Control facility in Snow Hill Dec. 2-16. Officers plan to distribute the pet food the week before Christmas.

“Lots of people, even those who have donated food to us in the past, are coming to us for pet food,” said Susan Rantz, chief animal control officer. “We’ve been helping as many as we can.”

This holiday season WCAC also plans to raise awareness of the proper care and handling of pets, which require a long-term commitment.

For more information about the Animal Control or the pet food drive call 410-632-1340.

www.delmarvanow.com

Murder Charges Dropped At Pretrial Hearing

SNOW HILL -- Alexander Crippen is no longer charged with the murder of Reginald Jerome Handy Jr. after a Circuit Court judge approved a motion to dismiss the charges at a pretrial hearing.

Deputy State's Attorney Michael Farlow did not object to the dismissal of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault charges against Crippen.

"The forensic evidence would have made it impossible to prove Mr. Crippen is the person who killed Reginald Handy," Farlow said, noting Crippen is still charged with the first- and second-degree attempted murder of Torrance Davis, Crippen's cousin, along with separate first- and second-degree assault charges and other related offenses.

Arthur McGreevy, Crippen's lawyer, said it felt good to get the murder charge against his client dropped. He is focusing on the trial scheduled to begin Monday.

"At the trial, I believe my client will be exonerated of all the charges," said McGreevy. "He was not any of the people firing weapons on that day."

The shooting death of Handy occurred on May 26 at about 10 p.m. in Pocomoke City, when he was shot once in the back before being transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, where he was pronounced dead, according to police and court records.

Upon searching the area where Handy was shot, McGreevy says police found six .45-caliber shell casings, six other shell casings and a .223 rifle cartridge.

The deputy state's attorney and defense council put several additional motions in front of Judge Richard R. Bloxom, including allowing audiovisual equipment in the court during the trial, redacting objectionable statements in Crippen's interview transcripts and correcting a typographical error in court documents.

In a July interview, Davis said he and his cousin didn't know Crippen personally before the night Handy died, and disputed police accounts that had Crippen arguing with Handy beforehand.

www.delmarvanow.com

Suspects Charged In B&E At Runninger's Pharmacy

For the second time in as many months, a branch of the local Runninger's Pharmacy has been broken into.
According to Major Todd Godwin of the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, on October 2, 2010 at approximately 5:29 A.M., deputies responded to a report of an alarm activation at Runninger's Pharmacy in Parksley, Virginia. Parksley Policeman Tommy Carpenter was the first on the scene, reponding while driving home after his shift had ended.

Upon arrival on the scene, deputies found that a breaking and entering had occurred and that various items had been taken from the business.

"The back window had been busted out," said Pharmacist Emory Hurst, Jr. "The alarm was triggered and they were scared off before they could steal too much."

A joint investigation into this incident between the

Accomack County Sheriff's Office and the Parksley Police Department, with assistance from the Virginia State Police, has resulted in warrants being obtained against Billy Brandice Kilmon, age 27, of Parksley, Virginia and Walter Hunter Wharton III, age 30, address unknown, charging each subject with one count of breaking and entering and one count of grand larceny.

Billy Brandice Kilmon and Walter Hunter Wharton III are currently incarcerated in the Wicomico County Jail in Salisbury, Maryland on unrelated charges.

The investigation into this incident is continuing and additional arrests are expected.

www.shoredailynews.com

Court Cases

Court cases heard in Accomack County.

Salvador Hernandez, 26, of Parksley, was found guilty of possession of cocaine. A presentence report has been ordered.

John Waldner, 28, of Chincoteague, was found guilty of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. He was given a 12-month suspended sentence, a $100 fine and given community service.

Jernell Pettit, 19, of Nelsonia, was found guilty of robbery and the use of a firearm in commission of a robbery. A presentence report has been ordered.

Randall Moricle, 18, of Assawoman, was found guilty of grand larceny. A presentence report has been ordered.

Cassandra Jones, 38, of Pocomoke City, Md., was sentenced to three years with all time suspended, ordered to pay restitution and given probation for welfare fraud.

John Tucker, 28, of Onancock, was sentenced to five years each for burglary and grand larceny with all but three years suspended, to run concurrently.

Harvion Simpkins, 23, of Onancock, was sentenced to five years for carnal knowledge. He also was convicted of misdemeanor sexual abuse and given 12 months; to run concurrently, with all but nine months suspended.

Heath Edwards, 42, of Temple, Pa., was found guilty of malicious maiming. A presentence report has been ordered.

Charles Tyler Jr., 34, of Onancock, was sentenced to 20 years with 15 years suspended for embezzlement.

Milton Faison, 28, of Nassawadox, was sentenced to 20 years, with all but five years suspended, to run concurrently with a 55-year sentence in Northampton Circuit Court. His Accomack convictions include armed burglary, attempted robbery, and use of a sawed-off shotgun.

Herbert Lane, 20, of Exmore, was sentenced to 20 years with all but four years suspended for armed burglary, robbery and use of a sawed-off shotgun.

Sarah Clay, 54, of Oak Hall, was sentenced to 12 months with all suspended for welfare fraud.

Keshawn Savage, 21, of New Church, was found guilty of personal-injury hit-and-run. Sentencing guidelines were ordered.

Spencer Sample, 54, of Painter, was found guilty of burglary and grand larceny. A presentence report has been ordered.

Steve Kilgore, 25, of Exmore, was sentenced to five years each for burglary, attempted robbery, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, for a total active sentence of 20 years.

Lisa Hanscom, 48, of Melfa, was found guilty of embezzlement and was sentenced to five years with all but 10 days suspended.

Gloria Bailey, 45, of Pungoteague, was sentenced to five years with all but three months suspended for welfare fraud.

William Custis, 26, of Accomac, was sentenced to 10 years for shooting at an occupied dwelling and five years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, to run consecutively, combined with a reinstituted sentence from a probation revocation, for a total active sentence of 14 years, six months.

John Reid, 37, of Painter, had his probation revoked and a three-year sentence reimposed.

James Johnson, 37, of Painter, was found guilty of breaking and entering and grand larceny. A presentence report was ordered.

Jonathan Stevens, 27, of Quinby, was found guilty of burglary. Sentencing guidelines were ordered.

Derrick Crockett, 35, of Bloxom, was found guilty of burglary and grand larceny. A presentence report has been ordered.

Laquita Ward, 29, of Atlantic, was found guilty of receiving stolen property. A presentence report has been ordered.

Shawn Scarborough, 39, of Melfa, was found guilty of possession of cocaine and marijuana over one-half ounce but less than five pounds. A presentence report has been ordered.

Tyron Grant, 22, of Belle Haven, was sentenced to three years each for breaking and entering and grand larceny with all but time served suspended. Restitution was ordered and an Assign-A-Highway service given.

Craig Barnes, 31, of Saxis, had his probation revoked and will serve one year, six months.

William Marcel Custis, 26, of Onancock, had his probation revoked and will serve an additional 18 months.

Christopher J. Barcroft, 21 of Nassawadox, had his probation revoked and will serve the remainder of a five years sentence with all but one year suspended.

Joann Ball, 57, of Melfa, was found guilty of possession of cocaine. Sentencing guidelines were ordered.

Randy Hill Jr., 24, of Exmore, was found guilty of possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Sentencing guidelines were ordered.

Troy Rew, 37, of Salisbury, Md., was found guilty of malicious maiming. A presentence report has been ordered.

Samuel Pettit Jr., 38, of Mappsville, was found guilty of obtaining money under false pretenses. A presentence report has been ordered.

Jesse Mariner, 28, of Keller, was found guilty of burglary and grand larceny. Sentencing guidelines were ordered.

Maurice Bivens, 27, of Temperanceville, was found guilty of burglary and three counts of forgery. Sentencing guidelines and an evaluation were ordered.

John Stanley III, 43, of Parksley, was sentenced to first-offender status for a charge of possession of cocaine that will be dismissed after completion of the first-offender program.

Brian Lee Brown, 31, of Horntown, was sentenced to 12 months and fined $100 for possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana.

O.J. Matthews, 28, of Bloxom, was sentenced to three years with all but time served suspended for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and five misdemeanors.

Fairdale Johnson, 34, of Mappsville, was sentenced to 20 years with all but five years suspended for distribution of cocaine.

Richard Copes, 31, of Withams, was sentenced to 20 years on each of three counts of grand larceny, robbery and abduction, to run consecutively, with all but four years suspended, for a total active sentence of 12 years.

Gary Tyler, 41, of Onancock, was sentenced to five years for assault and battery of a police officer.

William Laird, 29, of Tangier Island, was sentenced to five years with all but 2.5 months suspended for possession of oxycodone with the intent to distribute.

Christopher Bornaschella, 37, of Chincoteague, who had been found guilty of breaking and entering, grand larceny, attempted breaking and entering and petty larceny. He was sentenced to 20 years each on the felonies and 12 months each on the misdemeanors, with all but time served suspended upon completion of a detention and diversion center program.

Kevin Nock, 47, of Onley, was sentenced to five years with all but two years, two months suspended for third-offense shoplifting.

William Watson, 47, of Onley, was sentenced to five years with all but two years, two months suspended for third-offense shoplifting.

Michael Sample Jr., 25, of Painter, was found guilty of burglary and grand larceny. A presentence report has been ordered.

Gregory Crockett, 46, of Chincoteague, was found guilty of possession of cocaine. He was sentenced to 12 months with all but 30 days suspended and given 100 hours of community service.

Carroll Holland Jr., 42, of Parksley, was found guilty of writing bad checks and was sentence to 12 months with all time suspended.

Corey Bailey, 19, of Eastville, was found guilty of threatening to burn a building and was sentenced to 12 months with all but eight months suspended.

Jessica Boggs, 27, of Nelsonia, was found guilty of welfare fraud. A presentence report has been ordered.

Joshualynn Boggs, 25, of Onancock, was found guilty of assault and battery of a police officer and sentenced to six months.

Prentiss Ayres, 40, of Onley, was sentenced to five years with all but six months suspended for embezzlement.

Dustin Godwin, 23, of Wattsville, had his probation revoked and will serve one year.

Bruce Meilhammer, 18, of Chincoteague, was found guilty of three counts of grand larceny and sentenced to 90 days with all but time served suspended, to run concurrently, and ordered to pay restitution.

Kerwin Mears, 26, of Accomac, was sentenced to 10 years with seven years suspended and ordered to pay a $500 fine for second offense possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and second-offense possession of marijuana.

Kenneth Simpkins Jr., 26, of Greenbush, was sentenced to 10 years with eight years, seven months suspended for distribution of cocaine.

Bruce Johnson, 52, of Mappsville, was sentenced to 10 years with seven years suspended for possession of cocaine. He also had probation revoked and one year added to his sentence.

Louis Sample Jr., 49, of Accomac, had probation revoked and a three-year sentence reimposed.

Keith Parker, 42, of Onley, was found guilty of petty larceny and was sentenced to 12 months with all but 30 days suspended.

Yolanda O. Bundick, 35, of Painter, was found guilty of two counts of uttering and was sentenced to 10 years on each, with all suspended except for 3 years, 4 months.

Cathy Jones, 45, of Onancock, was found guilty of welfare fraud and bad checks. A presentence report has been ordered.

Rory Tomlin, 19, of Melfa, was sentenced to four years and given youthful offender status for attempted robbery, maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Davon Davis, 21, of Painter, was sentenced to four years and given youthful offender status for attempted burglary, attempted robbery and use of a sawed-off shotgun.

Anthony Turner, 33, of Painter, was sentenced to 10 years with all but 1 year, 8 months suspended for distribution of cocaine.

Jason Rienerth, 20 of Onancock, had his probation revoked.

Northampton Circuit Court

Northampton Circuit Court reported the following sentences over the last few weeks.

Terry Wayne McGee Jr. age 34 of Newport News was sentenced to 5 years for forgery, 12 months for using a false idenity, 5 years for receiving stolen property, and 12 months for driving on a suspended license.

William Jerome Reid, Jr. of Machipongo age 31 of Machipongo received 1 year of a previous sentence for possesion of more than one half ounce but less than 5 pounds of marijuana.

Reid also had probation revoked revoked on an original charge of distribution or cocaine. One year of the original sentence was reimposed .

Brian Dewayne Johnson, 31 of Tasley had probation revoked on an original charge of 2 counts of uttering and 2 counts of forgery. The original sentenced was reimposed and suspended except for time served.

Deshaun Lamont Corney of Birdsnest age 41 pled guilty 2 counts of robbery entering in the nighttime with a deadly weapon; malicious wounding; displaying a firearm in a threatening manner during a robbery. The sentence was continued pending a pre-sentence report.

Mayor McDermott To Be Sworn Into House of Delegates On Jan. 12

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - The town of Pocomoke will soon be losing its mayor, but not just yet.

Mayor Mike McDermott will be sworn into the House of Delegates for District 38-B on Jan. 12.

City officials say McDermott will remain mayor until then. At that point, Robert Hawkins, the First Vice-President of the City Council, will take on mayoral responsibilities, but not the official title. Hawkins will continue to serve as a councilman.

A new mayor will be elected in the city's scheduled elections in April of 2011.

www.wmdt.com

~ Meeting Reminder ~

Pocomoke City's

Community Awareness

Meeting

New Macedonia Baptist Church

Pocomoke City

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

10:00 AM

Community members meet to discuss concerns for Pocomoke City

coffee/donuts supplied by Lighthouse Counseling

Police Coalition Established For Two Counties

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Sheriff's Office is no longer restrained by state borders when pursuing certain criminals.

A coalition between the Worcester County and Accomack County Sheriff's Offices has created the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, devoted to working together and with federal authorities to seek out and prosecute those who travel over state lines to sell drugs.

Cpl. Nate Passwaters is a member of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, but he's also deputized in Accomack County and by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

"Drug dealers don't have boundaries like we do," says Passwaters.

Since forming, the task force has charged about 20 alleged drug dealers, all of whom frequently crossed state lines, police officials said. The cooperation between agencies has helped with the flow of information, they say, conducting surveillance operations and getting warrants issued.

"They are under the assumption we are limited in our enforcement," says Passwaters. "It gives them a false sense of security, where they say 'I'm in another state, so it's going to be harder to prosecute me.' "

The select number of officers who serve on the task force may have jurisdiction in other counties, but they can't simply follow suspects wherever they want to. The cases must have a drug component to them.

"I can't just go into Accomack and say, I think I'm going to stop cars today," says Passwaters. He is currently working with Delaware State Police to set up a similar agreement.

Deciding where to prosecute cross-border drug crimes is not complicated by the arrangement. According to Passwaters, if someone is arrested in Virginia, they are prosecuted in Virginia. If they are arrested in Maryland, they are prosecuted in Maryland.

Several cases have been prosecuted on the federal level, based on the quantity of drugs recovered or the presence of firearms, which allows the task force greater access to federal resources and prosecutors. It is also the reason Passwaters is deputized as an ATF officer.

Passwaters says the Sheriff's Office also works with agencies in Somerset and Wicomico counties to share information and collaborate on complex cases.

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Community Meeting This Saturday

Pocomoke City's

Community Awareness

Meeting

New Macedonia Baptist Church

Pocomoke City

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

10:00 AM

Community members meet to discuss concerns for Pocomoke City!

Donuts/coffee supplied by Lighthouse Counseling

Pocomoke YMCA Names New Director

POCOMOKE CITY -- The Lower Shore Family YMCA has a new executive director, Dan Prescott, who is not a stranger to a YMCA backstage.

Prescott comes to Pocomoke City from Hagerstown, Md., where he served as program director and senior director of that YMCA. He also served a stint in Farmville, Va. The new director learned of the opening in Pocomoke City from Rich Stover, CEO of the Mid-Delmarva Family YMCA; they had collaborated on several programs.

Prescott said his first task is to find ways to get more involved with the community. This includes working with organizations in the Pocomoke City area. He's hoping in this way, more people will visit the YMCA to take advantage of the facility.

The Y includes many facilities -- a large indoor pool, three gym courts, a fitness center and an aerobic center -- under its roof. The outdoor facilities include a pond, a ropes course, a paved walking/running track and four bike trails through the forest.

Programs for kids include an after-school program and a day camp during the summer. At present, 34 kids are signed up for the after-school program, which is still not at full capacity. Some of their activities include schoolwork, a fitness program and swimming.

Because Pocomoke High School is being renovated, the sports teams have been using the fields at the YMCA. While using the fields, the school has been maintaining them and has helped in installing lights for nighttime use.

Once the new fields at PHS are completed and the teams return, the YMCA fields will be available for use by the center for such sports as soccer, baseball and softball.

Prescott said all programs at the YMCA are available for members and nonmembers. There are scholarships for people who cannot afford the cost of the membership.

The branch Prescott now manages includes people from southern Worcester County, southern Somerset and northern Accomack County. Anyone who has a membership here is also a member of the Mid-Shore YMCA in Salisbury and the newly-opened branch in Chincoteague.

Two major fundraisers for the local YMCA are the Masquerade Ball in late winter and a triathlon in early June. The branch also plans to begin its annual campaign for funds sometime next month.

The Lower Shore Family YMCA has also been the host for the South Worcester Relay for Life for the past several years, which has attracted hundreds of participants.

"Come talk to us if you have an idea for a program," Prescott said.

www.delmarvanow.com

Body Found By Park Ranger At Assateague National Seahore

BERLIN, Md. - Investigators with the Worcester County Bureau of Investigations said Sunday, that a federal park ranger discovered the body of a white male Saturday afternoon along the northern side of Assateague National Park.

According to investigators, the body appears to have washed ashore within 24 hours of the discovery.

WCBI described the body to be that of a white male, 5'7" and 140 to 160 pounds. They said the body was clothed in Levi blue jeans and a black Patagonia belt.

A check with local law enforcement agencies revealed there were no reports of any missing person or reports of any missing crew members off of local vessels.

The body remains have been sent to Baltimore for an Autopsy. Anyone with any information regarding the description given, please contact Cpl Johnson of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at 443-783-0441 or the MD State Police, Berlin Barrack at 410-641-

www.wboc.com

A Thankyou To Supporters

I want to thank my supporters for all of their sacrifice and efforts during my campaign. Your prayers have sustained me, your encouragement has lifted me and your votes have humbled me.

As we move from campaign to governing, I ask that you continue to pray for Maryland and our country. We will face many challenges, but we will face them together.

I affirm my commitment to communicate the actions being discussed and those acted upon by the General Assembly, and to always be a strong voice for the Eastern Shore.

Mike McDermott
Pocomoke City
Maryland House of Delegates -ELECT
District 38-B

Accomack County Court

Accomack County Commonwealths Attorney Gary Agar Reports the following cases were heard in Accomack Countys Circuit Court:

Cathy Jones, 45 of Onancock, was found guilty of welfare fraud and passing bad checks.

Rory Tomlin, 19 of Melfa, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment and a youthful offender program for attempted robbery, maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle and use of a firearm.

Davon Davis, 21 of Painter, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment and a youthful offender program for armed burglary, attempted robbery and use of a sawed off shotgun.

Anthony Turner, 33 of Painter, was sentenced to one year imprisonment for distribution of cocaine.

Jason Rienerth, 20 of Onancock, had probation revoked on the original charges of attempted burglary, grand larceny and burglary.
www.shoredailynews.com

Worcester County Commissioner Seat - District 1

It must have been a difficult decision for Bobby Cowger to opt out for reelection this year. Lots of Worcestor County citizens hate to see him go.

We truly thank him for being so devoted and wish Bobby the best.

Here is the man that will and can fill his shoes! Merrill W. Lockfaw, Jr.
Just like Bobby, Merrill Lockfaw, is a man you can trust and believe in. He is a man that will work for the citizens and the communities.

Merill has a wonderful family, is a devoted person to his community, his church, fire department and country.

CONGRATULATIONS MERRILL !!

And good luck!

State's Attorney Race- Absentee Ballots To Be Counted

SNOW HILL -- In a tight race and before absentee ballots were counted, challenger Beau Oglesby had an edge over veteran prosecutor Joel Todd in the race for Worcester County State's Attorney.

Oglesby, who led Todd by 169 votes late Tuesday night, knows what a tight race feels like; he was narrowly defeated by Todd in 2006.

"Four years ago, we were down by one vote on election night and ended up losing by 14," said Oglesby, a Republican. "We're in a much better position now. We're quietly optimistic this will hold but we're unsure how many absentee ballots are outstanding."

According to election officials, 1,500 absentee ballots have been collected and will begin being counted Thursday, although the final results of that count will not be known until Nov. 22. In addition, late Tuesday night ballots from three voting machines -- one each from Districts 1, 2 and 6 -- were being counted manually because of machine errors.

Although Oglesby led in the polls for much of the night, with 14 of 18 precincts reporting, Todd took the lead with 6,669 votes. Just after 11 p.m., however, when all 18 precincts' votes were tallied, Oglesby had regained a slight advantage.

Todd said early in the evening that if he did lose, it would not be because of political mailers from his campaign that the Worcester Republicans called unethical last week. On the mailers, Todd was pictured with several prominent people under a headline that read "Community Leaders Support Joel Todd," although some of them had not endorsed him. Todd's wife and campaign manager, Anita Todd, took the blame for sending the literature.

"If I lose the election, I don't think it has anything to do with that," Todd said as ballots were being counted.

Todd was joined at the polls Tuesday by Lynn Dodenhoff, the mother of Pocomoke City woman Christine Sheddy, whose body was found in Snow Hill earlier this year after she had gone missing. Dodenhoff said Todd was the only man she trusted to prosecute Justin M. Hadel, the man charged in Sheddy's death.

"I believe this is the only man who could prosecute my daughter's murderers," she said. "He's the only man that listened to me and stepped in, got the right people involved in her case."

Other races
In the sheriff's race, current chief deputy for the office Reggie Mason came out significantly ahead of Democratic challenger Bobby Brittingham. Mason received 12,083 votes, while Brittingham took 6,709.

In the Worcester County Commissioners races, incumbents came out ahead, with Commissioner Judy Boggs besting challenger John Bodnar in District 5 with 2,212 votes to his 1,301.

"It was a particularly satisfying win," Boggs said. "The people of Ocean Pines, by an overwhelming vote, demonstrated their confidence in me. I'm delighted by that and I'm looking forward to another four years."

www.delmarvanow.com

Supervisors Of Accomack Co./Professional Lobbyist

ACCOMAC -- The Accomack County Board of Supervisors is considering whether to hire a professional lobbying firm to help the county get its share of Congressional earmarks for local projects.

The board authorized Chairwoman Laura Belle Gordy to appoint a committee to make a recommendation about hiring a lobbyist.

County Administrator Steve Miner cited U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's remarks during his recent visit to the Shore, saying Webb "made it very clear that Congress considers earmarks ... to be one of their prerogatives" and that hiring a professional to lobby for the county is the effective way to get earmarks for the area.

The county this week advertised that it is accepting proposals for federal government lobbying services until Nov. 10. The request seeks lobbyists who can "document past successful interventions for assistance" and who have experience in localities with federal government installations.

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