Curiously Mosby is trying to get the two misdemeanor defendants (bicycle cops Nero and Miller) split up with one in each trial.  Possibly she’s looking for contradictions between the two officers to crop up – Or she’s racially seeking to colorize the trials…

(Via Baltimore Sun) Prosecutors on Friday urged a Baltimore judge to try six police officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray in the city, arguing that it’s too early to decide whether jurors here can be impartial.

Defense lawyers have asked for the trials to be moved elsewhere in Maryland, pointing to the high level of publicity the case has received. Deputy state’s attorney Janice Bledsoe left open the possibility that the case could still be moved if an impartial jury cannot be seated on the eve of trial.

“Until then, the court should not, as the defendants request, demeaningly prejudge the ability of Baltimore’s citizens to fulfill their traditional duty to impartially determine the facts of criminal cases happening within their city,” Bledsoe wrote.

[…]  Gray’s autopsy report, obtained by The Baltimore Sun, showed that he suffered a “high-energy injury” while being transported in the police van. A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide because police failed to follow proper procedures. (more…)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

Tunisia was the origin of the Arab Spring – Since neighboring Libya fell into a state of civil war the radical islamists are now spreading around the North African Mediterranean.  In addition to attacking Western-friendly targets they are attempting to create additional crisis by crippling the regional economy.  Within crisis, ISIS inspired radicals thrive.

TUNISIA – Panicked tourists fled from a popular beach in Tunisia Friday as a gunman pulled an automatic rifle from under an umbrella and began shooting, killing 37 people, officials said.

The attacker, who was dressed in shorts, came from the beach hiding his Kalashnikov gun before spraying terrified tourists with bullets. People were told to run in a chaotic scene near a beach in Sousse, and many took refuge in hotel rooms after the gunfire erupted, Sky News said.

Tunisia’s Interior Ministry originally said there were two gunmen but later said they believed just one gunman acted alone, killing 37 people and wounding at least 36. The Health Ministry said the dead include Tunisians, Brits, Germans and Belgians.

The gunman reportedly entered the Hotel Imperial through the swimming pool area, shooting people as he went. He also threw an explosive, witnesses said. (more…)

The White House Tonight:

(more…)

( Via Fox News ) A law enforcement source today confirmed to Fox News that escaped convict Richard Matt has been shot and killed by police.

Matt is one of two prison inmates who escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y.  Matt’s counterpart David Sweat is still on the run.  Authorities have been pursuing the two escaped killers for 21 days.

I refuse to be divided.

I refuse to be divided by the manipulation of politicians, schemers, activists and con-artists who train themselves in the dark arts of division and deceit for benefit.

I refuse to be divided.

• There have been openly gay people in my community throughout my lifetime – I have never been in conflict with them.
• There have been people of every ethnicity in my community throughout my entire lifetime – I have never been in conflict with them.
• There have been people of every creed, color, race and association within my community throughout my entire lifetime – I have never been in conflict with them.

None of the aforementioned categories of division-inspired personage are predisposed to a lesser understanding of virtue than I. (more…)

The Bringing People Together version: At Carnegie Hall, gospel singer Wintley Phipps delivers perhaps the most powerful rendition of Amazing Grace ever recorded. He says:

“A lot of people don’t realize that just about all Negro spirituals are written on the black notes of the piano. Probably the most famous on this slave scale was written by John Newton, who used to be the captain of a slave ship, and many believe he heard this melody that sounds very much like a West African sorrow chant. And it has a haunting, haunting plaintive quality to it that reaches past your arrogance, past your pride, and it speaks to that part of you that’s in bondage. And we feel it. We all feel it. It’s just one of the most amazing melodies in all of human history.”

After sharing the noteworthy history of the song, Mr. Phipps delivers a stirring performance that brings the audience to its feet!

The Tearing Them Apart Version: (more…)

SCOTUS – Justice Kennedy begins his opinion for the Court with a paean to the institution of marriage:  he describes it as “essential to our most profound hopes and aspirations,” “sacred to those who live by their religions” and offering “unique fulfillment to those who find meaning in the secular realm.”

But it is also, he continues, an institution that “has evolved over time” from an “arrangement by the couple’s parents” to a voluntary agreement between a man and a woman.  Similarly, although being gay was once considered an “illness,” public attitudes have shifted significantly.

The Supreme Court, Kennedy’s opinion explains, has long recognized the right to marry as a fundamental right.  And although until today it has always done so in the context of opposite-sex couples, he continues, all of the same principles on which the Court has relied in cases involving opposite-sex couples apply equally to same-sex marriage and the recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages.  (more…)

NEW YORK — Bob Beckel, most recently a co-host on ‘The Five’ was let-go by Fox News over ‘personal issues.’

In March, Fox News said the Liberal host was recovering from back surgery.  Weeks later, Fox said Beckel had checked into a rehabilitation facility to receive treatment for a prescription drug addiction, Mediaite reported.

Fox News Executive VP of programming Bill Shine issued a short statement: “We tried to work with Bob for months, but we couldn’t hold The Five hostage to one man’s personal issues. He took tremendous advantage of our generosity, empathy and goodwill and we simply came to the end of the road with him.” (more…)