Man charged in Pa. stabbing rampage that killed 4
MICHAEL RUBINKAM
From Associated Press
June 28, 2010 1:19 AM EDT
NORTHAMPTON, Pa. (AP) A man who served prison time for a 1992 murder was charged Sunday with fatally stabbing four people, including a woman described as the suspect's former girlfriend and her 87-year-old grandfather.
Police charged Michael Eric Ballard, 36, with four counts of homicide for Saturday's rampage in the eastern Pennsylvania town of Northampton, about 70 miles north of Philadelphia.
Police allege Ballard killed 39-year-old Denise Merhi, her father and her grandfather along with a neighbor who rushed over to help when he heard the initial screams from Merhi's home.
Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said he will seek the death penalty.
"It was a very difficult crime scene to see these individuals essentially slaughtered by this fellow using a knife," Morganelli said.
Confidantes of Merhi told The Associated Press that she and Ballard dated briefly about two years ago. Ballard told police he "murdered (his) girlfriend and her family and then the neighbor," according to court documents.
Ballard pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in 1992 and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, according to court records in Lehigh County. Ballard, then 18, was accused of stabbing Donald Richard in December 1991 in Richard's Allentown apartment, according to newspaper accounts from the time.
The motive for Saturday's attack remained unclear. Friends and relatives of Merhi said there was no indication that Ballard posed a threat to the family.
Police identified the other victims as Merhi's father, Dennis Marsh, 62; her grandfather, Alvin Marsh Jr.; and her neighbor, Steven Zernhelt, 53.
Merhi had two children, but neither was home at the time of the attack.
Ballard, who was injured in a car accident shortly after the rampage, was arraigned at his hospital bedside. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Merhi's close friend, Nicole Young, and her cousin, Desiray Dolly, told the AP on Sunday that Merhi and Ballard once dated, but that it wasn't serious and she broke it off.
Dolly said Ballard showed up at her 16th birthday party two years ago and behaved inappropriately around her friends.
"He just gave you that kind of feeling, that uneasy feeling," said Dolly, now 18. "He was offering us, 'If you ever need (alcohol), just let me know.' Constantly touching, putting hands on shoulders."
Ballard, however, did not bother Merhi after their relationship ended, according to Dolly and Young.
"I just don't get it," Dolly said. "He didn't give any kind of warning that I know of."
Merhi, who was divorced, recently celebrated her daughter's 10th birthday ("Happy bday babygirl," she wrote on her Facebook page), attended a Phillies game and a Sugarland concert, and spent a "hot as hades" weekend at the Jersey shore with her children.
The medical assistant was "bubbly, funny, cheery, high-spirited," said Young, 35. "She was always there when you needed someone to talk to."
Police were called to the brick twin house at 4:47 p.m. Saturday and found a gruesome crime scene, with blood puddled on the floor and splattered on the walls, according to Morganelli. Each victim had been stabbed multiple times.
Zernhelt, who lived in the adjoining twin, heard the commotion, ran over to help and was stabbed as he got through the front door, according to his brother.
"I'll say this about my brother: He died a hero to me because he was trying to go over there and do whatever he could to help. I love him, I always will," said David Zernhelt, 36, of Allentown.
Steven Zernhelt, who hailed from a family of 10 children, worked as a heating and air conditioning instructor. He and his wife had three grown children.
"Growing up, he always tried to resolve situations," his younger brother said. "He was the political family member of the brothers and sisters, who would always try to get everybody to get along with each other. So it wasn't surprising that he would try to help his neighbor like that."
After the attack, Ballard drove away in Merhi's Pontiac Grand Prix, and crashed it less than 10 minutes after police discovered the bodies. He had extensive leg injuries and was bleeding heavily. Medics who treated him at the scene spotted an empty knife sheath attached to his belt, according to a police affidavit.
An off-duty state police trooper who saw the accident asked Ballard what happened. Ballard replied, "It's obvious, I just killed everyone," the affidavit said.
Many of Merhi's family members learned of the rampage while attending a high school graduation party for Dolly at a local park. Merhi was supposed to be there, too, but she had suffered a bad sunburn at the beach and didn't feel well enough to go, Dolly said.
It was unclear Sunday whether Merhi knew of Ballard's past while they were dating.
"Michael Ballard, I hope you get what's coming to you," Young wrote on her Facebook page.
Ballard served about 18 years for the murder of Richard, 56, according to The Express-Times. He was released for a year in 2007 but was jailed again for a parole violation and then paroled on April 19, the newspaper reported.
On Saturday, Ballard was scheduled to return at 2 p.m. to a halfway house for state prison inmates where he had been living, the paper said, citing a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections spokeswoman.
But three hours later, he crashed a stolen car, officials said.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Troll said
6:57 AM, 06/28/10
Northhampton?
That's up in the Lehigh Valley area.....probably the most murders this decade.
Troll said
7:07 AM, 06/28/10
Troll wrote:
June 25, 2010 Murders as of 11:59 PM Previous Day
141
June 28, 2010 Murders as of 11:59 PM Previous Day
146
Troll said
7:13 AM, 06/28/10
Posted on Mon, Jun. 28, 2010
Briefly... CITY/REGION
Man shot dead in Hunting Park
A man is dead after being shot in Hunting Park last night, police said. The man, who was not identified by police, was shot shortly before 9 p.m. on 8th Street near Bristol, and was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital roughly 20 minutes later. Authorities did not report motive or arrests.
1 shot to death, 1 wounded
Gunshots Friday night on Boudinot Street near Courtland, in Feltonville, left one man dead and another hospitalized, police said.
About 11:25 p.m., a 24-year-old man was shot in the groin and pronounced dead at the scene at 11:59 p.m. Police withheld his identity pending notification of next of kin. A second man, 22, was shot in the shoulder and listed in stable condition at Temple University Hospital.
Teen slain in Coatesville
A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed in Coatesville about 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The teen, whom police did not identify, was shot in the chest on Lincoln Highway near 6th Avenue and died at Brandywine Hospital. Police said they had no suspects.
The body of a man who slipped and fell into the Delaware River early Saturday was recovered yesterday, police said.
The man, whom police did not identify, had been part of a large group that had been causing a disturbance in the area south of the Pier 3 Condos, said police spokeswoman Officer Jill Russell. The group moved to the ship Gazela Primeiro, walked up the gang plank and ran around the ship, Russell said.
The victim slipped off the stern and fell into the river, she said. A man jumped in after him but couldn't save him, Russell said.
Police ID shooting victim
A woman killed Sunday night in Hunting Park has been identified by police as Quinta Brown, 22, of Marshall Street near Cayuga. She was shot multiple times on Bristol Street near Franklin shortly before 9 p.m. and was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital at 9:18 p.m.
He's caught bare-footed
Cops made a quick arrest following a shooting in Upper Darby Sunday night, when a suspect "ran out of his shoes" while fleeing the scene, police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. Lansdowne officers stopped Johnny Sanchez, 24, because he was running barefoot.
It was unclear yesterday if Sanchez pulled the trigger, but he admitted to being at the scene after police showed him the recovered shoes, Chitwood said. He's facing conspiracy charges. The 18-year-old victim, who was shot in the buttocks and foot, could lose a couple of toes but was expected to survive.
First killing since curfew
Chester police yesterday confirmed a 36-year-old man was killed late Sunday night in the city's first homicide since a "state of emergency" went into effect eight days earlier.
Police found the bullet-riddled body of Keith Edmonds, 36, in a Dodge Caravan parked near Honan and Boyle streets.
Mayor Wendell Butler Jr. implemented an all-ages curfew in five sections of the city in an effort to stop a spate of murders this month. Anyone with information about the shooting can call the city's anonymous tip line at 610-447-7810.
Man shot to death Sunday
Seneca Brown, 31, of Camden, was found shot multiple times in a park at 7th and Clinton streets about 10:40 p.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead at Cooper University Medical Center at 11:45 p.m.
I'll probably hafta go back and total up May's murders myself, since Troll all but refused outright ta help. Then that rat-bastard told me...ME, ta go back and count 'em up myself!
What a bastard! Only a real scumbag would refuse ta help 'the old guy' out. Amd ta think how much I've done for Troll!
All I can say is no more mister nice guy ta you Troll! You can just kiss my ass!
Rob please lock this damn thred! It's nothing but a bunck of bullschitt! Not ta mention that Troll has consistently refused ta answer the 1 main question; What is the total number of murders committed in May, 2010 in Philadelphi, PA, and its surrounding communities?
Damnit!
Troll said
7:18 AM, 06/29/10
Uke wrote:
I'll probably hafta go back and total up May's murders myself, since Troll all but refused outright ta help. Then that rat-bastard told me...ME, ta go back and count 'em up myself!
What a bastard! Only a real scumbag would refuse ta help 'the old guy' out. Amd ta think how much I've done for Troll!
All I can say is no more mister nice guy ta you Troll! You can just kiss my ass!
Uke said
9:52 AM, 06/29/10
Jealous of the old guy eh? Well hah! You can just go back ta yer swampy, mosquito infested back 40! Mister!
Chester again......they should bulldozer it under and salt the ground.
Chester Police Officer Shot, Suspect Barricaded
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS 3)
A police officer from Chester, Pennsylvania, was shot and wounded Tuesday afternoon.
CB
1 of 1
A police officer has been shot and wounded in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Authorities confirm the unidentified officer was shot at about 4:15 p.m. The shooting happened in the 300 block of Rose Street. The officer was transported to Crozier Chester Medical Center for treatment. A condition was not immediately available.
Police say the suspect, who is still on the loose and believed to be barricaded in a nearby home, may also have been wounded. Chopper 3 HD captured images of officer's surrounding a home with guns drawn.
Further details about what prompted the shooting were not immediately available.
Chester has been trying to cope with ongoing violence by initiating a state of emergency on June 19 in five of the most dangerous areas. Last week, city council extended the declaration for an additional 30 days.
Under the state of emergency, residents in high-crime neighborhoods are allowed out from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. without "legitimate reason" and groups of three or more are not permitted to gather without a permit.
Police throughout the city have been working extended shifts in hopes of stemming the violence.
Stay with CBS3.com and Eyewitness News for the latest on this developing story.
A woman killed and two others wounded in random shooting at this bar in Olney section of Philadelphia.
CBS
A violent night in an Olney bar leaves one person dead and two others critically injured.
The patrons inside J and J Bar, a small corner bar at 2nd Street and Duncannon Avenue, were essentially sitting ducks to a gunman who fired at least five shots into the bar Thursday night using what police believe was a revolver.
"There was no fight, no argument according to our witnesses. This individual opened the door went inside the bar and started firing shots," said Chief Inspector Scott Smalls, Philadelphia Police.
Three people sitting at the bar were shot in the chest. A 44-year-old woman and two men were rushed to Einstein Medical Center. The female victim died at the hospital, the men are in critical condition.
Some witnesses got a glimpse of the suspect, but they're description wasn't very detailed. Detectives are checking video footage from inside the bar to help them possibly get a better look at the shooter who remains on the loose.
Police ask with information on the suspect in random, unprovoked shooting to contact authorities.
Murders as of 11:59 PM Previous Day
Briefly... CITY/REGION
Man shot dead in Hunting Park
A man is dead after being shot in Hunting Park last night, police said. The man, who was not identified by police, was shot shortly before 9 p.m. on 8th Street near Bristol, and was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital roughly 20 minutes later. Authorities did not report motive or arrests.
1 shot to death, 1 wounded
Gunshots Friday night on Boudinot Street near Courtland, in Feltonville, left one man dead and another hospitalized, police said.
About 11:25 p.m., a 24-year-old man was shot in the groin and pronounced dead at the scene at 11:59 p.m. Police withheld his identity pending notification of next of kin. A second man, 22, was shot in the shoulder and listed in stable condition at Temple University Hospital.
Teen slain in Coatesville
A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed in Coatesville about 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The teen, whom police did not identify, was shot in the chest on Lincoln Highway near 6th Avenue and died at Brandywine Hospital. Police said they had no suspects.
Read more: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20100628_Briefly______CITY_REGION.html#ixzz0s9n9lkLz
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else
Briefly... CITY/REGION
Read more: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20100629_Briefly______CITY_REGION.html#ixzz0sEJdWN7N
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else
Man's body recovered in river
The body of a man who slipped and fell into the Delaware River early Saturday was recovered yesterday, police said.
The man, whom police did not identify, had been part of a large group that had been causing a disturbance in the area south of the Pier 3 Condos, said police spokeswoman Officer Jill Russell. The group moved to the ship Gazela Primeiro, walked up the gang plank and ran around the ship, Russell said.
The victim slipped off the stern and fell into the river, she said. A man jumped in after him but couldn't save him, Russell said.
Police ID shooting victim
A woman killed Sunday night in Hunting Park has been identified by police as Quinta Brown, 22, of Marshall Street near Cayuga. She was shot multiple times on Bristol Street near Franklin shortly before 9 p.m. and was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital at 9:18 p.m.
He's caught bare-footed
Cops made a quick arrest following a shooting in Upper Darby Sunday night, when a suspect "ran out of his shoes" while fleeing the scene, police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. Lansdowne officers stopped Johnny Sanchez, 24, because he was running barefoot.
It was unclear yesterday if Sanchez pulled the trigger, but he admitted to being at the scene after police showed him the recovered shoes, Chitwood said. He's facing conspiracy charges. The 18-year-old victim, who was shot in the buttocks and foot, could lose a couple of toes but was expected to survive.
First killing since curfew
Chester police yesterday confirmed a 36-year-old man was killed late Sunday night in the city's first homicide since a "state of emergency" went into effect eight days earlier.
Police found the bullet-riddled body of Keith Edmonds, 36, in a Dodge Caravan parked near Honan and Boyle streets.
Mayor Wendell Butler Jr. implemented an all-ages curfew in five sections of the city in an effort to stop a spate of murders this month. Anyone with information about the shooting can call the city's anonymous tip line at 610-447-7810.
Man shot to death Sunday
Seneca Brown, 31, of Camden, was found shot multiple times in a park at 7th and Clinton streets about 10:40 p.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead at Cooper University Medical Center at 11:45 p.m.
- Staff and wire reports
Read more: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20100629_Briefly______CITY_REGION.html#ixzz0sEJNzNkI
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else
Technophobe
Posts: 9233
Date: 3:47 PM, 06/25/10
Rob please lock this damn thred! It's nothing but a bunck of bullschitt! Not ta mention that Troll has consistently refused ta answer the 1 main question; What is the total number of murders committed in May, 2010 in Philadelphi, PA, and its surrounding communities?
Damnit!
Chester Police Officer Shot, Suspect Barricaded
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS 3)CB
Authorities confirm the unidentified officer was shot at about 4:15 p.m. The shooting happened in the 300 block of Rose Street. The officer was transported to Crozier Chester Medical Center for treatment. A condition was not immediately available.
Police say the suspect, who is still on the loose and believed to be barricaded in a nearby home, may also have been wounded. Chopper 3 HD captured images of officer's surrounding a home with guns drawn.
Further details about what prompted the shooting were not immediately available.
Chester has been trying to cope with ongoing violence by initiating a state of emergency on June 19 in five of the most dangerous areas. Last week, city council extended the declaration for an additional 30 days.
Under the state of emergency, residents in high-crime neighborhoods are allowed out from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. without "legitimate reason" and groups of three or more are not permitted to gather without a permit.
Police throughout the city have been working extended shifts in hopes of stemming the violence.
Stay with CBS3.com and Eyewitness News for the latest on this developing story.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Olney Bar Shooting Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Injured
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3)CBS
The patrons inside J and J Bar, a small corner bar at 2nd Street and Duncannon Avenue, were essentially sitting ducks to a gunman who fired at least five shots into the bar Thursday night using what police believe was a revolver.
"There was no fight, no argument according to our witnesses. This individual opened the door went inside the bar and started firing shots," said Chief Inspector Scott Smalls, Philadelphia Police.
Three people sitting at the bar were shot in the chest. A 44-year-old woman and two men were rushed to Einstein Medical Center. The female victim died at the hospital, the men are in critical condition.
Some witnesses got a glimpse of the suspect, but they're description wasn't very detailed. Detectives are checking video footage from inside the bar to help them possibly get a better look at the shooter who remains on the loose.
Police ask with information on the suspect in random, unprovoked shooting to contact authorities.
The homicide remains under investigation.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)