Thoughts & Prayers
From 3807 friends and loved ones:
| « First Page (oldest) | « back | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 [16] | next » | Last Page (newest) » |
| Mark | @ 11:47:49 am on July 4, 2008. |
| May God be with you, and strike down the evil Black racist. |
|
| Katie Sharp | @ 05:48:51 pm on July 3, 2008. |
| Dear Anna, My heart hurts for you and Zach's family and everything you have been put through this past year. I hope you find some comfort in all these posts; posts of support, caring and love. Just ignore (or delete!) the negative ones. I admire you very much because of your strength and your ability to attempt to gain something positive from a tragic situation like this. I know that I am not alone in that admiration. We are all here for you. |
|
| jEN | @ 03:29:11 pm on July 3, 2008. |
| U GO GIRL! DONT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THEIR HORRIBLE BEHAVIOR! a LIFE WAS TAKEN NO MATTER HOW IT HAPPENED. DO THEY HAVE NO SYMPATHY? LET SOMETHINGLIKE THIS HAPPEN TO SOMEONE THEY LOVE AND SEE HOW THEY RE-ACT! AND KARMA IS REAL....AND IT'S A BITCH! |
|
| Michelle Ingrodi | @ 10:18:14 pm on July 2, 2008. |
| To Misdirected Rage: Ed Norris said it best- "Hey Baltimore, if you're not angry, you're not paying attention." This city shits on its residents everyday, she's got a right to be angry. That reporter had the balls to tell the truth, and is willing to stand by her words. PJ and MB keep changing their stories and refusing to comment. That's guilt in my book. Jessamy needed to be tossed out a long time ago. |
|
| Overlea Resident | @ 09:26:55 am on July 1, 2008. |
| "Margaret Burns made some very hurtful and idiotic accusations about Zach Sowers that people were offended by. Of course this is Baltimore and she knows she can get away with such statements. She continues to urinate on the decent people of this city and refuses to do the right thing. Her boss Patricia Jessamy continues to urinate on us and refuses to fire this woman"-Adam Meister the Examiner. Anna, what ever you decide to do I am with you. I will watch this site every day, and will support you. "Anna has broken down your key statements into seven points. Can you prove just one? Can you justify any of the seven?" -- Still waiting |
|
| Heather M | @ 08:46:33 am on July 1, 2008. |
| Anna -- Glad you were able to get away to Ireland and enjoy some time with friends. Hope to see you very soon! Stay strong. We all support you. |
|
| Barbara in Ca. | @ 08:19:36 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| Anna, first, and again, my heart and anger sit beside yours. No person of clear thinking could possibly see all that has transpired and not be appalled. I have discussed with people I know, in the business of criminal prosecution, why the plea bargain deal was struck as it was. Now I understand....... Everything that Marty Burns and her cohorts did, was so nominal, so marginal, as to require her to fabricate some cavalier sensibility about this horrific crime. Anna, please know.......We believe you. We believe the nurses and doctors at the hospital. There is no doubt. None. None. None. Marty Burns can posit all the crap in the world. It still won't change the reality and the truth. They entered into an inadequate plea bargain, and removed the possibiilty of the death penalty or life without parole. I guess when one has done such a paltry job of prosecution, one has to create a reality that has little to do with the truth. Marty Burns should be shamed out of the job. Also, whoever Burns, supervisor is, should step up to the plate and disavow the fabrications being floated. Burns says it's over? Not by a longshot. It's only just begun. This time the target is not Zach, this time the target is Burns.........and the weapon of choice, is the Truth! Anna, let this moment in time serve as impetus for you. Let it not defeat you, but rather fuel you. Burns needs to be gone from the job, as does everyone who was complicit at that office. Don't let them get away with it. No victim should ever be re-victimized by anyone, let alone those sworn to represent their interests. My heart is with yours.......as are the hearts of many. |
|
| fells point | @ 05:13:21 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| my husband and i were random victims of crime. the sao also let us down and did not advocate for us. it is bad enough to have criminals violate your life and change it forever but to have those who are paid to advocate for victims question the obvious is unjustifiable. just remember (burns and jessamy) you live/work in baltimore also so may the criminals you set free today knock on your door tomorrow. we support anna's efforts! |
|
| Fire Burns Now | @ 04:43:44 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| The new Meister blog on this matter is live: www.examiner.com/x-284-Baltimore-Politics-Examiner~y2008m6d30-Margaret-Burns-And-The-Difference-Between-Right-And-Wrong One media member gets it! |
|
| To Misdirected Rage | @ 04:42:09 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| YOU make my blood boil. Go away. How dare you ask Anna to take her rage elsewhere. Shameful. Seriously, close your eyes and picture a loved one murdered. Go ahead. DO IT. To all the people who post negative comments, please be respectful of Anna and Zach's friends and family and STOP. They come here for support and to heal. How do you think the innocent victims of Zach's murder (Anna and his family) feel when they read your heartless comments? PLEASE STOP. You should be ASHAMED. |
|
| Bethany | @ 04:39:35 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| Anna--we are with you! You have the support of so many. You should be so proud of yourself. I keep e-mailing Burns, Jessamy and Dixson...and...no response. At all. |
|
| Kris | @ 04:27:59 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| We love you, Anna. Stay strong. :-) |
|
| Believe | @ 03:15:51 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| I love these people who feel the need to kick Anna when she's down. Don't you people have some old people, babies or puppies to torture!!! Class Act!! Stay Strong Anna. For every idiot against you there are 1000 for you!!!! |
|
| hey misdirected rage | @ 02:33:55 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| close your eyes and picture your husband/wife killed -- some politician publically and carelessly comment on the death and see how much rage you have. Bet you wouldn't be so calm. jerky |
|
| Too much misdirected rage | @ 02:22:06 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| Jeez Anna. Your latest post is just so full of rage. I understand your anger, but please, can't you direct it elsewhere? Use it for your efforts in bringing new legislation or fundraising for the Fund you set up. No one is going to remember Marty Burns smearing your name. There are bigger aspects of this situation than one person's words that may or may not have even been taken out of context by a freelance reporter. |
|
| shawn | @ 02:21:10 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| very big of you D. Neon -- glad to see you man up and end your postings on a positive note. |
|
| D. Neon | @ 02:06:47 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| I am sorry to all that I offended. I will not post here anymore and while I do not agree with everything Anna is saying/doing - I do understand it is her way of trying to make a difference. Good luck Anna |
|
| K | @ 01:33:59 pm on June 30, 2008. |
| Anna...you are so strong and although it may seem like it, you certainly are NOT fighting this alone. Many of us don't know you, don't know Zach's family and never got the chance to know Zach personally, but we're here fighting with you, making phone calls and sending letters. I hope we can make a difference. Keep up the fight!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family as this difficult time has multiplied due to such horrifing comments from such a heartless and cruel individual. God Bless! |
|
| Seven points | @ 11:45:21 am on June 30, 2008. |
| Marty, Anna has broken down your key statements into seven points. Can you prove just one? Can you justify any of the seven? |
|
| Leigh, Highlandtown Neighbor | @ 11:24:28 am on June 30, 2008. |
| You can also reach the Baltimore City State's Attorneys Office via email at mail@stattorney.org I emailed the office this morning urging Ms. Burns to retract her statements and apologize to Anna. I just received a generic response from the office: "Please know that I and the Baltimore City State's Attorneys Office are committed to serving the citizens of Baltimore City, preserving public safety and providing services and support to crime victims. I have not in the past or intend to in the future veer from our priority of serving justice in a fair, open and honest way." All I have to say is PROVE IT! |
|
| Sandy K | @ 09:50:55 am on June 30, 2008. |
| Ramsey - I like your way of thinking - if we all pull together I believe we just might make Marty Burns and the State's Attorney's office do the right thing. |
|
| Ramsey | @ 09:13:19 am on June 30, 2008. |
| Folks, So most of us are disappointed with Marty Burns' response to Anna on Friday. What can we do? I was hoping Marty would show us all how a grown up justice official would behave after realizing she’d used baseless information to harm an emerging activist like Anna. I was hoping she'd undo the harm by publicly taking it all back, as publicly as she'd delivered it. But I understand she's human, and that it takes a powerful sort of courage to do the right thing. I understand it’s a lot to ask. So, I was wondering…. What if Marty Burns needs Anna’s supporters to help find her moral compass? What would happen if we “supported” Marty Burns’ effort to find her proper voice? I'm wondering if we might consider some sort of civic action, perhaps something with placards and slogans and courthouse demonstrations and all those wonderful things—anything to turn up the pressure and “help” Marty make a case to Pat Jessamy that the State’s Attorney’s office for Baltimore City needs to retract its ill-considered statements about the Sowers case. Of course, Marty isn’t asking for our “support,” but it could be a novel approach, no? The key is to rebuild the platform that Anna needs to confidently advocate—for any of the dozen or so proposals currently enshrined in our rough draft of ideas for Zach's Law. None of us wants to see Anna go into this effort hobbled by official public statements that cast doubt on the veracity of the horror that drives her. We can’t afford to have political people sitting across the table from Anna who might think she’s making this whole thing up. Anybody got any constructive ideas? If so, post them here. No back-room secrets are necessary in a public discussion like this. We can openly work here for the public good. Standing by..... |
|
| let Burns hear your voice | @ 08:06:23 am on June 30, 2008. |
| Margaret Burns Cell Phone (443) 474-7479 call and leave her messages to tell her how upset you are. Leave you name or don't, just keep leaving the messages so she has some idea how many ppl she upset and why she should offer a public apology. |
|
| Dawn Thornton | @ 09:55:17 pm on June 29, 2008. |
| Anna, my thoughts and prayers are still with you and your family as your struggles continue. I wish peace for you and justice for Zach. |
|
| Anon | @ 07:27:48 pm on June 29, 2008. |
| Anna: I am so sorry that you lost Zach in such a brutal way, when your married life had just started and was full of promise. I feel such disgust for what you are now enduring. I am not a resident of Baltimore City, thank the good Lord for that, but live and work close enough to it that the "stench" of it (i.e. the thugs, punks, gangs, and most of its' politicians) make me sick. I don't know you, but plenty of people who post on here do, and I will absolutely take their word on who you are as a person, and the perserverance you have shown in making sure your husband did not die in vain. You know, ignorant people are really just people with limited intelligence, or poor self esteem, or no sense of right and wrong, or no empathy for their fellow humans, or all of the above. No matter what title someone holds, or their position- this does not make them one iota smarter or better than the next person. It appears Ms Burns put her whole leg in her mouth, not just her foot, when she spewed such venom about Zach and the injuries he sustained. She may think she has gotten away with what she has done to you, but I truly believe in the final judgement day- and she will receive her just rewards on that day, just like the "boys" who choose to hurt Zach. Justice will be served. Zach's memory will never die. Hang in there, there are thousands of people on your side. The ignorant people on this site don't deserve even one second of your time. |
|
| Lyn K==Zach's CTY admirer and co-worker | @ 01:11:04 pm on June 29, 2008. |
| D. Neon "Did any of you ever once think that maybe we've all had people close to us die and we may just be a little bit desensitized to one more death" D Neon, How sad for you... and frightening. |
|
| Who's pitiful? | @ 12:33:40 pm on June 29, 2008. |
| To the people telling Anna to go away: it's plain as day that you have a great deal of vested interest in Burns, Jessamy, and the continued and despicable state that the city of Baltimore is. Now that's pitiful. |
|
| in Brewer's Hill (Highlandtown) | @ 10:41:42 pm on June 28, 2008. |
| Anna, I am constantly amazed by your strength and courage. If there is anything I can do to help you in your effort, please let me know. I can't wait to move out of the city either. People like us, the hardworking, law abiding, tax paying citizens in this city are the ones that are suffering at the hands of the criminals and our idiotic elected and appointed officials. You and Zach should be busy planning your life dreams/goals together instead of having been thrust into this mess. My heart goes out to you and Zach's family. you give new meaning to the phrase "be the change you want to see in the world". |
|
| Michael | @ 07:34:57 pm on June 28, 2008. |
| I find it amazing that our elected officials are sending their trolls to post on this site. Actually, I am really not surprised at all. Jessamy, Burns and their ilk are nothing but thugs and scum. I'm ready to march. |
|
| Anna go away | @ 05:34:03 pm on June 28, 2008. |
| Burns and Jessamy aren't the only ones telling you to go away. You aren't sad, you're pitiful. |
|
| do your part | @ 10:24:57 am on June 28, 2008. |
| Margaret Burns Cell Phone (443) 474-7479 call and leave her messages to tell her how upset you are. Leave you name or don't, just keep leaving the messages so she has some idea how many ppl she upset and why she should offer a public apology. |
|
| Vengeance will be Ours! | @ 08:23:22 am on June 28, 2008. |
| Yes, a lot of us here do want justice for the agony that Margaret Burns has put Anna through--and it will be ours. Anna's movement is much larger and much more committed than two of Pat Jessamy's cronies who know how to use the internet and post hateful things on this site. Anna, never stop fighting against incompetence in this city. Thank You! |
|
| Ken | @ 08:22:53 am on June 28, 2008. |
| Rock on Anna! Let me know how I can help. I have the time and the energy! |
|
| Public welfare or revenge? | @ 07:10:02 am on June 28, 2008. |
| Over the past five years, how many people have remained in a coma in connection with a crime? Does Anna know? I don't think so. If none of you know, how much impact the law may potentially have what is the basis for pushing it? |
|
| Your pour Burns posts are very annoying & anonymous | @ 11:15:26 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| “In 2006, President Bush signed into law a prohibition on posting annoying Web messages or sending annoying e-mail messages without disclosing your true identity.” Under federal law when you annoy someone on the Internet, you must disclose your identity. |
|
| Burns | @ 11:09:11 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| In case anyone needed it again - Margaret T. Burns Chief, Communications & Governmental Affairs Office(443)984-1121 Cell Phone (443) 474-7479 Fax Phone (410) 637-3172 |
|
| To "Vengeance" | @ 09:18:15 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| So for Marty Burns to publicly call Anna a liar doesn't warrant a retraction in your book? Is that your idea of justice? Who's the phony here? |
|
| Vengance is yours | @ 07:41:43 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| "Burns may have no further comments but this is FAR from over for me." HURT HER ANNA - HURT SOMEONE IS GOOD. YOU SAY KILLING IS BAD BUT DESTROYING A PERSON IS ACCEPTABLE. YOU PHONY. |
|
| RE: Have Some Sympathy | @ 03:13:04 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| Very strong post. Thanks for attempting to get people to channel their anger elsewhere. I think people forget that if they lost the person they love the most, they too would be angry, sad... the whole range of emotions. I dont think I would have the strength to do what Anna has done if my new husband when through the pain and suffering that Zach did, it hurts to even think about it let alone live with it every day. |
|
| Fells Point | @ 03:05:22 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| I am glad you had a fun trip. It was probably nice to get far, far away. I am sorry that some people have been mean on this site lately. Some people have wayyy too much time on their hands. Like that "Neon" person who keeps whining so much - why would one want to be part of the problem instead of part of the solution?! I wonder why he/she does not do something useful like print when Ms Dixon or other agencies hold meetings or rallys that people like myself, my boyfriend and friends would surely show up to...anything to make a small change here in Baltimore. For now, all we can think of to do in volunteer when we can, maybe just being plain old nice to people will help. By the way - while you were gone (?) some crazy stuff happened in Federal Hill. This city is like a damn video game sometimes, people getting shot in cars and pushed out the door onto the street and left for dead. It is hard to even imagine it. Well, regardless welcome back and good luck on your studies...I keep reading that you are applying to Law School, good for you! |
|
| ME | @ 01:18:59 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| -UNITE FOR CHANGE-UNITE FOR LIFE-UNITE FOR PEACE-UNITE LOVE- |
|
| Katie Sharp | @ 01:01:09 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| Anna, I'm glad you had a good time on your trip - you deserved it! We are still giving Ms. Burns hell. |
|
| Russ K | @ 12:02:26 pm on June 27, 2008. |
| RAMSEY: Thank you. Thank you. What a beautiful message. |
|
| Robin | @ 06:21:58 pm on June 26, 2008. |
| To: Ramsey, Well said !!!!! Hopefully she'll (Marty) listen and do the right thing. |
|
| Ramsey | @ 05:02:58 pm on June 26, 2008. |
| An open letter to Marty Burns Hi, Marty. Ramsey here. We had a few exchanges on this Sowers matter some months back. Sorry to see the trouble you’ve gotten yourself into. As a close observer, I suspect your comments came from your intent to defend your office’s plea deal back in December. Personally, I sympathize with why the plea deal made sense, and you know that Anna and I have energetically quizzed key folks at every level of the system about how to improve that system. And to clarify a key point: Anna’s criticisms have been largely directed at the “system,” especially those aspects of the system that seem particularly deficient in Baltimore. She has thanked and complimented the individual prosecutors involved in Zach’s case. She knows all too well why they felt compelled to cut the deal they did. She wishes they didn’t have to cut deals at all. She wishes criminals were more afraid of the system, not in charge of it. She has set a course on finding the weak spots in that system and fixing them. We even asked Pat Jessamy in a 90-minute meeting whether there was anything we could do to advocate for new tools to fight crime in Baltimore. She cordially told us that she has all the resources she needs. She disagrees with the popular notion among some of her own prosecutors that race-based jury bias exists in cases with black defendants in a mostly black city. She dismissed the “Stop Snitchin’” problem as not very meaningful. She encouraged us to support the existing efforts, which we are happy to do. But we don’t think they go far enough. Our conversation has quietly been extended to a much larger network of regional and national leaders. It’s also been extended to a series of preliminary legislative efforts, currently gathered in a rough file that we’ve loosely dubbed “Zach’s Law.” And that’s where you come in, Marty. The intent of Zach’s Law should be bigger than all of us. Anna wants to memorialize the love of her life with something of lasting value to others. The basic tenets of the law she’s advocating are connected directly with the “facts” of Zach’s case. If you have exclusive information that Zach was not killed by a brutal street beating, Anna really needs to know that. If you are withholding information that no one else has that could one day undermine her public arguments in favor of good laws to protect innocent people, she really needs to know about it before she takes another step. You are a public official. You speak for the State’s Attorney’s Office. Despite your quibbles with the accuracy of Melody Simmons’ account of your comments in “Exhibit A,” stripping your contested words back to their essence leaves us with official statements that – if left uncorrected – undermine Anna’s efforts. You’ve challenged her credibility. You’ve depicted her as a young widow whose views are so crippled by emotion that she has lost her grip on reality. If you have facts to back this up, Marty, Anna needs to know. Heck, I need to know – and so does the rest of the army of would-be do-gooders who have rallied behind her. If the facts do not support your comments, then please, for sake of all of us, publicly retract them and restore Anna’s standing as an effective advocate for victim’s rights. It’s the sort of thing any self-respecting state’s attorney’s office would do. |
|
| Did you know | @ 04:39:53 pm on June 26, 2008. |
| Anonymous Internet Harassment is a Federal Crime. “In 2006, President Bush signed into law a prohibition on posting annoying Web messages or sending annoying e-mail messages without disclosing your true identity.” Under federal law when you annoy someone on the Internet, you must disclose your identity. |
|
| Legal Department | @ 03:53:56 pm on June 26, 2008. |
| Webmaster Please consider legal action. These statements are turning into harrassment. "Consistent threatening or non-threatening, seriously questionable, scandalous in nature statements, injurious to a person's reputation, presented as fact to the public & published by anyone or thing about another individual (or reference to a particular person(s) by description) has long been called, Defamation of Character. D Neon has been asked several times to stop her comments, but she continues. Yes, this is a public forum, but at some point this is stalking and harrassment. |
|
| Danielle | @ 10:53:06 am on June 26, 2008. |
| I think of Anna and Zack often. I am still saddened by his death although I have never met him nor Anna. Although nothing can take the pain away, I hope that this video clip helps. (I can't embed it, but you can see the clip at GodTube. The video is called Meet Logan, The Sky Angel Cowboy -- CBN News). |
|
| Lisa | @ 10:41:53 am on June 26, 2008. |
| To the previous poster addressing the webmaster If you go to the "email us" link on the top of the page, there is a form where you can contact Justin (who is the webmaster). Hopefully he can help. |
|
| Lisa | @ 10:41:53 am on June 26, 2008. |
| To the previous poster addressing the webmaster If you go to the "email us" link on the top of the page, there is a form where you can contact Justin (who is the webmaster). Hopefully he can help. |
|
| To D. Neon and the Webmaster | @ 10:23:59 am on June 26, 2008. |
| D. Neon, if you'd like to continue the conversation, I insist that we do it through email and not on Anna'a thoughts and prayers board. Post your email address and we'll chat without Anna and her family forced to see it. Or, Webmaster, maybe you could give us D. Neon's address? or tell us her IP address is from a government location in downtown Baltimore? Can't you hold comments pending moderation? And Margaret Burns, if you do know this D. Neon (since she knows you), could you please encourage her to take her "thoughts" away from this site? She is actually making you look worse than you already do by continuing to bring up your name and denigrate Anna and her actions. |
|
| Leigh, Highlandtown Neighbor | @ 09:55:10 am on June 26, 2008. |
| Dear Anna, I really admire your perseverence and strength. The story of you and Zach has really touched me. I live across from the Patterson Theater, and it is sad what goes on in our neighborhoods. I have seen it even more now that school is out for the summer. Don't give up the fight, ignore the naysayers, and stay strong. You and Zach are in my thoughts. |
|
| Joe | @ 08:43:14 am on June 26, 2008. |
| Obviously D. Neon has some serious mental problems since they feel the need to continue to post here, rambling about their personal problems that have nothing to do with this site. Please go away. No one here cares. |
|
| think | @ 08:11:27 am on June 26, 2008. |
| D Neon -- nice post. If you had someone say the Brain Tumor your friend got most likely did not kill him/her or when your friend was in the final stages someone said "he looks like a sleeping baby" even though he/she was hooked to a bunch of machines and possibly in pain -- then I'd imagine you too would be upset with that person. |
|
| so....... | @ 08:06:37 am on June 26, 2008. |
| D Neon, did you ever lose someone you loved? |
|
| D. Neon | @ 12:22:05 am on June 25, 2008. |
| I'll say that I truly was planning on staying off of this site from now on since it just reminds me of how many ignorant and hypocritical people there are out there. I do have a few more things to say though. Calling people out for being hypocritical is hypocritical in and of itself. I'm going to be honest and say right now that every single one of us is hypocritical at times whether we like to deny it or not. That is probably the most lazy and ignorant attempt at a diss on someone. Also, TELLING the "negative posters" on this site that they haven't ever lost anybody important to them in their lives is the most ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS thing I have ever heard and it is certainly a cheap shot. I'll give you all a little look into my life and tell you that in the past year, twelve people I know have passed away. Not every single one of them was family, but all of them were dear to my heart and died before their time. You all tell us that we are uneducated and don't know what it is like to lose a loved one and then call us ignorant! Did any of you ever once think that maybe we've all had people close to us die and we may just be a little bit desensitized to one more death. I know four siblings who lost their father to drugs earlier this year, none of whom were over 16. The oldest found out that his father died through a phone call with someone who he didn't even know and had to tell the rest of his siblings himself. A very close friend of my family found out that he had a brain tumor just a little over a week ago. He died 4 days ago. I could go on and on with sob stories like these because guess what, it happens all the time! I'm sure all of you have witnessed some pretty terrible deaths of your loved ones in your lives because everybody who is human has. If I'm not mistaken that technically means that Marty Burns, this person that you all loathe so very much has had loved ones die and has been through the same grieving process that Anna and Zach's family is going through. For goodness sake the woman works in the city and most likely sees some pretty terrible stuff on a daily basis. We all have this idea in our heads that everything about the law is corrupted. People who work in the law are not corrupted, they just have to deal with some pretty brutal things on a daily basis. After seeing hundreds, maybe even thousands of deaths of people she knows and doesn't know, it is absolutely amazing that Marty Burns is as caring about victims of crime as she truly is. Go ahead and attack my views and tell me that they are stupid but don't any of you EVER question whether or not I've lost someone who I loved. I at least recognize the fact that Anna loved her huband dearly and that it is a tragic thing for her to have lost Zach. I think it is great that she is trying to better the city as she is doing. I support her 100% with her law. I just don't want an innocent woman to get fired even after Anna already got her public apology by posting Burns's private apology all over the internet and this site. Hopefully all of you can try to understand my point of view a little bit more. If you don't agree with any of my view on this case then at least stop taking cheap shots telling me and all of the other "negative people" that we have never grieved the loss of somebody. And after you do that you can take your own advice and not even respond to the posts from people who feel the same as I do. |
|
| HELLO | @ 09:03:46 pm on June 25, 2008. |
| again... can someone tell us how Zach's parents and sisters are doing? |
|
| A stranger who lives nearby | @ 11:08:46 am on June 25, 2008. |
| Love,support and strenghth to ALL who new and loved Zach! Anna you are a beautiful person - inside and out. Remember that and stay positive and focused! |
|
| saddened | @ 07:17:21 am on June 25, 2008. |
| REST IN PEACE ZACH!! Stay strong Anna. |
|
| oh and by the way | @ 12:11:42 am on June 24, 2008. |
| to you haters out there...I don't think either Anna and Zack planned to live their lives out as "self-seeking publicity hounds" like you say. I think they planned to live their lives out together. How dare you. Go to sleep and pray you never find yourself in such a situation. If I were Anna, I would be doing everything I could to Make sure my husband's brutal murder made a difference. Oh, and Marty, we know eachother. Your best move is to call a news conference and resign to protect your boss. |
|
| Please don't respond to negative posts | @ 11:58:36 pm on June 24, 2008. |
| Let's all remember...who started this latest rant from Anna? Marty Burns, through her incorrect and just plain stupid comments to the press. The quotes are something I wouldn't expect out of a senior college intern. Do what you have to do Anna. I would be just as furious. Keep putting the pressure on. It's disgusting that this ditz and her boss still can't suck it up and say sorry. Typical. Things can change but it takes time. |
|
| Have Some Sympathy | @ 04:52:51 pm on June 24, 2008. |
If you have an opposing view of Anna in any way, fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we all don't agree on issues. But just because we are allowed the freedom to express our opinions doesn't give people the right to leave negative comments on a website that was set up to help Zach's loved ones cope. Have some common decency. If you feel Marty Burns has been wronged in any way, do something about it. If you feel this particular case is garnishing too much attention, fight harder for your cause to make yourself heard. A widow is trying to make the best of the hand that was dealt to her. She's fighting for her cause - her husband's memory. If you have any unfounded malice towards her, take your frustrations out elsewhere and try and make a positive impact in the world around you. Quit focusing your time on Anna and start worrying about yourself. I really think if Zach's death and Anna's response to it has taught us anything, it’s to fight for what you believe in. She loved her husband and he was cruelly attacked and taken away from her. She responded the best she could. Leaving dickhead comments to get a response from people on a website is immature and extremely sad. |
|
| To: To: What's the deal? | @ 03:44:44 pm on June 24, 2008. |
| I accuse Marty Burns of malice. She is an evil idiot! |
|
| Lisa in CA | @ 02:32:01 pm on June 24, 2008. |
| Hi Anna, Just wanted to send some love and kindness your way. I'm not going to entertain those using this site to badmouth you and your efforts, but wanted to let you know I'm still here and support you. I hope you had a great trip to Ireland! Lisa |
|
| leave her be... | @ 01:46:46 pm on June 24, 2008. |
| Unless you have lost your husband to the hands of some typical Baltimore hoods ...... just shut up..... you have no place to speak of what she is or is not doing.... |
|
| what's the deal | @ 01:03:07 pm on June 24, 2008. |
| I disagree with you "to:". Anna felt that Burns' comments were an attack on her, Zach, and their credibility. If I had been in that situation I would've demanded an apology too. Burns made the comments publicly - not in private so why should the retraction not be public? I agree that Anna's demand for a public apology could be viewed as self serving. But what is wrong with that? She feels wronged and wants an apology -- wouldn't you? I too find it hypocritical that the same ppl that talk a good game of stopping violence attack ppl on line who have differing opinions in such a hateful way. |
|
| what's the deal | @ 11:00:42 am on June 24, 2008. |
| why did this page transfer from a page made of love towards Zach n Anna to a page of hate towards politicians and ppl who side with them? This site used to be real nice to read and feel the warmth/love for the Sowers. Now it is just like any other political blog site with haters and defenders. I am sure this is not what the site is meant to be. |
|
| Wondering | @ 10:45:24 am on June 24, 2008. |
| To "Stop!" Uh, are YOU stupid? I said INCIDENT. Not ACCIDENT. Idiot. |
|
| But for the grace of God.... | @ 08:13:37 am on June 24, 2008. |
| I can just hope for all you critics of Anna and all she is doing to try and make something positive out of this thoughtless, selfish, full of hate crime, you never endure what she has. You never lose a loved one in such a tragic way and everyday deal with the consequences as you try to pick up the pieces of your life while ignorant, uneducated people like yourself through stones. On second thought, maybe it is exactly what you need to endure to understand the pain and anger Anna is feeling. |
|
| LC | @ 02:46:00 pm on June 23, 2008. |
| The endless wailing that happens on this site is not wailing at all, but a documented evolution of one incredible, strong, and driven woman's devotion to her husband, victims of violent crime, and the entire body of Baltimore citizens. Thank you, Anna and all of Zach's allies, for finding the stamina to organize and mobilize, the courage to go public, and for being the change you want to see in the world! Keep in mind that out of over 3700 messages, 3699 of them are full of love and support for everything that the Sowers family and friends have endured!! |
|
| To the critic | @ 11:05:19 am on June 23, 2008. |
| The unseemly behavior is all yours, my friend. It is anonymous rock-throwers like you who discourage victim families from lending their voices to improving the lives of all of us. When you arrive home safely to your loved ones every night, you can thank victim activists like Anna who have enacted great anti-crime laws over the years. And what, pray tell, is your great contribution to the well-being of your fellow citizens? |
|
| AshleyD | @ 10:33:31 am on June 23, 2008. |
| Being one of RNs solely responsible for Zach when he arrived in the ER... I can no longer hold my silence. I just want to say to Anna that I appreciate your vigor with publicity and activism in the name of Zach. I will never forget what I saw and felt that night. In his death, for anybody to question the obvious is just unnecessary and acting in malice. I only knew Zach for 45 min, and arguably at his worst, but regardless I was left with an impression I can look back on as being positive. Even then, despite the assumed prognosis as I took him to the NCCU... the second I saw his wedding ring I knew that this one would not go unsolved or unanswered like so many others. There was going to be a very angry wife somewhere...and there was. Anna, you have helped bring the senseless violence in this city back into the forefront as so many others try to push it aside. For that, I thank you. I wish you and all others involved nothing but peace and happiness as you work to reshape your life around such an awful situation. I'm sad to see this forum turn negative... simply look under the "Thoughts & Prayers" heading. This is a forum for friends and loved ones, not skeptics or opposition. Rest easy Zach. |
|
| Much Love | @ 06:31:33 am on June 23, 2008. |
| It is obvious that the last three posts are from the same person, as they are all posted within 20 minutes of each other at a ridiculous hour. Seriuosly, get some sleep, you are sounding quite stupid. Anna, you are strong and above these ridiculous idiots who are obviously just trying to get a rise out of you. You have so much support and love, keep your head up!!!! |
|
| Neon Burns | @ 09:35:45 am on June 22, 2008. |
| Ok, we are not questioning a word you're saying. Please....never post here again, ok, friend? Anna, I hope Fanya's wedding was awesome. |
|
| D. Neon | @ 01:41:12 am on June 22, 2008. |
| Once again I'll say that this is a public website that anyone can have access to; including myself. And go ahead and track my ip adress if you wish but you'll find that I'm not Burns nor am I connected to any branch of American government in any way. Also, simply having known a person for a long time does not mean that there are not things that they have kept to themselves or lied about. That is innately a human characteristic. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that none of you understand that I think Anna probably is a good person who may have just missinterpreted what Burns said. Living in America, it's strange to me that although we see tabloids making up stories about celebrities every day, it is just so out of the question that a normal person like Anna could have embellished or changed a few details of her take on what happened to her husband. I'm not even saying she did this to get pity or attention or anything like that. She could have been under a lot of pressure due to the circumstances and accidentally misstated a few details, which all of us can admit we did at some point in our lives. Another common trick that journalists like to use in tabloids is twisting people's words around and making them seem like terrible people even though they may be completely innocent in what they are saying. This is undoubtedly what happened in Burns's case. This is just my take on things and none of you even have to respond to me. That's one of the great things about America, freedom of speech means that I can say what I'm thinking if I want to, and you all have a choice to respond to it or to ignore it. If you don't want to hear any more of what I think, then stop questioning what I am posting on here. Don't question me, I won't post anything else. It's that simple. |
|
| To Miss D. Neon | @ 11:24:42 pm on June 21, 2008. |
| "To make assumptions about a person who you do not even know personally and then talk about it on an internet blog is extremely childish" take your own advice - do you know Anna or Zach? Didn't think so... This is a place for support. Zach is gone... the death of a child, brother, or husband is incredibly painful as it is, without people like Burns rubbing salt in the wound. And as for the accusations of Anna not being '100%' accurate - I have known Anna for 17 years and can tell you there is not a more honest and pure hearted person out there. |
|
| M | @ 05:38:09 pm on June 21, 2008. |
| Guys just ignore losers who have nothing better to do but post dumb things like D. Neon. He/she is just trying to envoke a reaction |
|
| NCCU Nurses | @ 12:20:31 pm on June 21, 2008. |
| To Our Dearest Anna, We want you to know that you and your family, and the rest of Zach's supporters continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. You are an inspriation to all and the epitome of what true love is! We as a unit have been truely touched by Zach and we feel honored to have been able to take care of Zach, you, and your family. We continue to support your efforts and are ready, willing, and able to help you with anything at all! Your courage and conviction continue to amaze us! Please let his parents and sisters know that we are thinking of them too! Lots of love! |
|
| Stop! | @ 09:01:53 am on June 21, 2008. |
| D. Neon- you're a fucking jackass! Just shut up and get off this site. You're no better then Burns. Wondering- this wasn't an "accident". Are you stupid? This was a vicious beating that those evil children PLANNED! Dumbass |
|
| barbara a | @ 12:24:02 am on June 20, 2008. |
| It is amazing to me, how there will always be a gadfly, who invokes their own projected deficits into a patently obvious situation. So, as not to give to much cyber time to Neon, suffice to say you have engaged in one of the oldest and most smarmy dynamics of all......Re-victimizing the victim. Shameful behavior beyond reprehension. To Anna, and all those who have been steadfast throughout this journey that no one wanted to travel on, you are stalwart examples of love and devotion and a strength that can only be born of such a challenge. Anna, simply said......Good for you! Zach had excellent taste. Brava to you. Stand your ground and accept nothing less than 100% from those who would attempt to rob you again. You are not alone. There are countless people who stand with you, and of course there is the most important person......Zach. He is there also. I have no doubt. |
|
| Imagine | @ 11:58:10 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| "Imagine all the people... living life in peace... You may say I'm a dreamer... but I'm not the only one... I hope someday you'll join us... and the world will be as one." |
|
| K | @ 07:47:09 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| To Anna and Zachs Family & friends: My thoughts and prayers remain with you. Its horrible to read some of the comments posted on this page. Zach seemed like such a great man and I'm so very sorry still about all that has happened to him. Let the man who lived the last 11 months of his life fighting rest in peace...he deserves that. Let his wife and family and friends greive and mourn his death in private without being disgraced or harrassed...they have been through enough. Not everyone knows what its like to go through a trajedy such as this and those should not critize...you never know what happens until you're all of a sudden thrown into such a terrible situation by some thugs who don't want to work to provide for themselves then to brutally attack a defenseless man. This family should not have to read such awful things like this. Be strong Anna! I wish you and your family well as you get through this terrible time. |
|
| Sick and tired | @ 01:35:17 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| I want to say that I totally support Anna and have experienced first hand the violence that plagues this city. I live in Federal Hill and have been "jumped" by punks fitting a similar description to those that brutally beat Zach. Fortunately when it happened I was completely sober and my assailants didn't have weapons. It also helps that I spent several years in the marines and was a close combat instructor for much of my service. Just to be clear, I'm not condoning fighting, only self defense. My point it this, I'm tired of the time and effort many people spend defending these criminals. I don't care where they come from, what their plight is and why we should expect this type of behavior. They are criminals and to reference another reported incident that occurred in Federal Hill, the recent stabbing off Light Street, one of the attackers had been charged with assault 3 previous times. However, she was never convicted. Whatever the reason is, that is grossly negligent! This city has put the law abiding citizens at risk and on many occasions given the criminals more rights. The blame lies not just on the current politicians, judges, prosecutors, policy makers, etc., but on the many that proceeded them and let this city become what it is now. You want to stop the cycle of welfare and crime, then stop bouying them and make them fully accountable! |
|
| kb | @ 01:09:29 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| As much as I want to go off on those bringing more negative energery to this site than necessary, I'm going to try and be the bigger person. To respond to the person asking where Anna was before this happened - although a reasonable question, it's also easily answered. It's psychology 101 to know that until a crisis happens to you personally, you often do not possess the skills necessary to empathize on the same level. Yes, we can all do more with our lives, and some people do big things and some small things but every little bit helps. No one knows how much of an advocate Anna was before and no one knows the random acts of kindness she demonstrated before this. I think she's done the best she can with what she has. This happened to her, it made her see things more clearly and it brought issues that have always been around to the surface for her. You can't be an advocate for a good cause unless you feel passionately about it. Whether that passion comes naturally or as a result of a crisis situation doesn't matter - having the passion, the strength and the courage does. Stay strong Anna - I hope you are enjoying Ireland! |
|
| feeding into it | @ 12:54:26 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| D. Neon is just trying to get a rise out of ppl -- and he/she is succeeding. Just don't respond or acknowledge the posts and he/she will go back into his/her hole. |
|
| feeding into it | @ 12:54:26 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| D. Neon is just trying to get a rise out of ppl -- and he/she is succeeding. Just don't respond or acknowledge the posts and he/she will go back into his/her hole. |
|
| Patterson Park Resident | @ 12:41:36 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| Is there a way to trace "D. Neon's" IP address to see if her messages are coming from the State's Attorney's Office? If so, could we get Marty Burns fired for misuse of city property? |
|
| D .Neon is Maragaret Burns | @ 12:23:07 pm on June 20, 2008. |
| Marty Burns-- Stop using a state-owned computer to spew more hate in Anna's direction. Why don't you just resign and go away? |
|
| Jason | @ 11:14:00 am on June 20, 2008. |
| D. Neon, You are an idiot. Please stop embarassing yourself. Burns was trying to clean up the ineffective image of her office with the quotes. If you had done any "research" as you claimed, you would know how often the SAO issues suspended sentences and null prossed cases, and how often they fail to provide justice to victims. THEY RECOMMENDED THE PLEA BARGAIN IN THIS CASE. ONCE THE PLEA BARGAIN WAS DONE AND THE SENTENCES HANDED DOWN, THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN AUTOPSY. Are you really that unfamiliar with how criminal cases work? And as for "getting revenge" on Burns, again, your lack of knowledge is laughable. As a spokesperson for the STATE attorney's office, Burns represents an official that was ELECTED to public office, and therefore she has a responsibility to the PUBLIC. If she spouts off to the press with remarks that are hurtful and just plain wrong, REGARDLESS OF INTENT, then she is accountable to the public. Period. And obviously the holocaust, or any other large-scale human tragedy in history has nothing to do with this discussion in any way. Your arguement and comparisons look pretty desperate. Have some decency. Anna doesn't need you questioning the motives of this site during her time of mourning. This site is a community for those who were touched by this case, and a source of support for a woman who has lost her husband in a very brutal, public way. No one wants to hear your half-baked attempts at dissent. Besides, you aren't even good at it. Now, F off. |
|
| amy | @ 11:05:40 am on June 20, 2008. |
| D Neon-so what are the "facts" that just do not add up? Since you know so much about this case and all I was just wondering if you could enlighten the rest of us with the facts because obviously we do not know them. I do not want to completely bash you because I do agree that we should not be bashing Burns as a person rather than her wrongful comments. I would just like some insight as to the facts of the case. That is all. |
|
| D. Neon | @ 11:02:08 am on June 20, 2008. |
| I am not by any means saying that Zach getting beaten up did not lead to his death. However there were other factors in his death such as the fact that he apparently had alcohol in his system when he was beaten up. This would have made his senses weaker and therefore was a factor. I have read several articles about this case from several different viewpoints and it seems as if some details of Anna's story often change each time she tells it. The professionals working on this case are simply trying to get all the information that they can and are trying to find out if there were other factors that led to his death. Nobody is trying to say that this isn't a tradgedy, they are just trying to get all the information they posibly can about this case so that justice can be gained for Zach. Do your research and you'll see this. |
|
| Give Facts | @ 10:58:39 am on June 20, 2008. |
| D. Neon -- since you have done so much reseach what doesn't "add up" in the Zach Sowers case? We know an autopsy was not done -- most ppl would not have one done in a case like this. What other questionable items has your research turned up? You seem to just regurgitate Burns quotes in the article - any new info you have would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to know how you do not think Zach getting beat up has lead to his death. Please advise - |
|
| D. Neon | @ 10:03:37 am on June 20, 2008. |
| I'm not Burns. I'm just a citizen questioning the motives behind this site. I feel that at first it was a way to support Zach and now it is turning into a way to get revenge on Burns after she really has not done anything to deserve it. That is a ridiculous claim to make simply because I am recalling facts. All of you are being so closed minded. Thank you to the people on this site who agree that many elements of this case are questionable. And those who don't agree with me, do your research and you'll see where I'm coming from. |
|
| think about it | @ 09:57:18 am on June 20, 2008. |
| "Wondering" -- it is not uncommon for someone to take up a cause after it effects their lives. Whether it be Breast Cancer, Aids, or this -- most ppl do not think to help out until they see the need. So do not bash Anna for this -- since it seems to be the norm. A lot of ppl would have just accepted the beating and tried to move on. Anna is an exceptional person because she is working to make it so this does not happen to someone else. Not many would put the effort in she has. Why would you argue she is not a deserving and effective citzen? She is working extremely hard to make Zach's Law which will better the Balt area. What have you done? |
|
| Response to Wondering | @ 09:54:25 am on June 20, 2008. |
| Your comments are completely off base. The same question you imply could be the same question for Mark Klass, John Walsh and many other advocates who now support causes and have created new laws (Meghans Law) affected by a terrible tragedy. Many people who have a tragedy occur don't have the stamina or endurance to make a change; you should be happy she is trying over come some part of what happened and make a difference. Your thought is senseless, meaningless and honestly offensive considering those of us who come to the site to see updates and have supported Anna and Zach’s family with prayers. Please don't question her efforts or character. All of us can play Monday morning quarterback, until one day something tragic happens to you! We should not answer and debate negative inputs on the site and keep supporting Anna. |
|
| Wondering | @ 09:40:52 am on June 20, 2008. |
| Where was Anna BEFORE this happened to her? Anyone can push for change after their lives bring them to it, but before the terrible incident that took her husband's life, she was no better than those she criticizes now. "Zach Supporter" called her a "deserving and effective citizen." Is she? I might argue against that. |
|
| warriior | @ 07:57:00 am on June 20, 2008. |
| D. Neon -- what is the point of an autopsy? a man is beaten -- lies in a coma for 8 months -- a trial is already completed and punishment is set -- he dies. Why would Anna do an autopsy at that point? In her mind and most others it is clear why Zach died. Autopsy's are usually done for suspicious deaths - this is not suspicious, it is obvious. The "worse things have happened" is the most ridiculous arguement. You can say that anytime for anything. No one on this site (except Anna) can claim this is the worst thing ever to happen, but this site was set up to sepak of Zach's situation. Ms. Burns....er I mean D. Neon, your comments seem out of line and completely misguided. I hope you never suffer such a senseless tragedy in your life, but if so remember to apply the same rationale -- "ah, it's no big deal, worse things have happened" - |
|
| Mark from Philly | @ 06:16:28 am on June 20, 2008. |
| I am starting to think D. Neon IS Burns....."People make mistakes" equates to D. Neon speaks. Zip it! Anna enjoy your trip...we will continue to pressure the politicians while you are gone. |
|
| Lisa | @ 01:51:56 am on June 20, 2008. |
| I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope these terrible events can bring people together to improve the lives of us all. Peace. |
|
| D. Neon | @ 12:01:13 am on June 19, 2008. |
| I hope that all of you understand that this is a public website that anyone can gain access to and therefore that gives me the right to post my thoughts on it whether they are positive or not. I do support Anna in trying to get her law passed. She is taking a step towards stopping violence in Baltimore and I strongly commend her for that. The fact is though, the perpetrators of the crime are the ones who made a wrong, NOT Marty Burns, NOT Jessamy, and NOT Dixon. And why was there no autopsy? I have researched the details of this situation and they simply put do not add up. Also, I am very sorry if what I am about to say is offending (although it really doesn't make a difference since i can say something in support of Anna and it is still considered offending) to any of you but worse things have happened than this. I am not saying that Zach's death was not absolutely tragic, but Marty Burns's words being misinterpreted as something cruel is not the worst disgrace to a dead person that has ever occurred. Do we all remember something called the holocaust when millions of innocent people were stripped of their dignity before and after their deaths? Please, take a better look at what Burns said and you will see that she meant no harm to Anna or Zach. All of you want Burns fired but, surprise, she is only human. People make mistakes and it's just a part of life. Are you all truly in favor of getting someone fired simply for being a person and making one honest mistake in their choice of words one time? Burns wrote what seemed like a pretty sincere apology letter to Anna and if Anna refuses to accept that, she is the one making problems for herself. Once again I just want to say Anna that I truly am praying for you and I hope that things get better in your life. I also pray that you can come to see that Marty Burns meant no harm to you by her words. |
|
| in Brewer's Hill | @ 08:31:19 pm on June 19, 2008. |
| D. Neon. You write of how this blog has done nothing but bash Mary Burns for no reason and that everything we write on here about Marty Burns is nothing but gossip and lies. Well, that's EXACTLY how all of us feel about the statements she made in Exhibit A. We are entitled to our opinion, you are entitled to yours but what SHE did in a public forum undermined Anna Sowers and attempted to trivialize what happened to Zach. Considering she made these false and damaging statements in a public forum (via a published news source), it is only fitting that she appologize to Anna and the rest of the Sowers' family in this same manner. If the reporter had misrepresented MArty Burns in that article don't you think the reporter would be "under the microscope" at this point? To my knowledge, this hasn't happened and the journalist continues to stand by what was reported in Exhibit A. The fact of the matter is that the beating that Zach received is what cause his brain injury and, ultimately, his death. NO ifs, ands or buts about it. I don't know Anna, I certainly do not mean to sound as if I am speaking for her but I understand her reasoning for not going forward with an Autopsy. The defendants agreed to a plea bargain, there won't be any appeal or retrial based on their MURDER of Zach and that, in and of itself, is a miscarriage of justice. Since following this story, it is my opinion that Zach's life ended on the night of the attack, his physical body died 10 months later and I support Anna's efforts to get Zach's law passed. |
|
| Zach Suporter | @ 04:34:53 pm on June 19, 2008. |
| People can have different view points,we all accept that I agree. BUT, use information that is accurate. All we want is the truth and not lies. Do not attack Anna with lies. She is an deserving and effective citizen who is working to change the city of Baltimore and make it better. I have also written letters and sent emails. Let everyone who is outraged at the lies about Zach contact Marty Burns and the States attorney. We will not go away until justice is done to Anna especially to Zach's legacy. |
|
| KCK | @ 03:08:03 pm on June 19, 2008. |
| I would urge you all to contact the SAO and let them know how outraged you are with Marty Burns' comments, and the continuing lack of a response from the State's Attorney herself. As someone stated below, the contact info is as follows: Office of State's Attorney Courthouse West, Room 208, 100 North Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 396-4987; fax: (410 539-5215 e-mail: mail@stattorney.org web: www.stattorney.org I didn't get much of a response to my email as yet except to state the party line of the SAO. Don't let this just "blow over". |
|
| no one special | @ 01:43:28 pm on June 19, 2008. |
| Anna, you are in my thoughts. It's a travesty how you and Zach have been treated by this city. The city has such deep problems and I hope you will continue to fight for Zach's law but I can only begin to comprehend the frustration you must feel. Is this perhaps part of the city's problem: How come there are no photos on the Internet of the thugs who beat up and murdered Zach? I'd like to know what type of savages to avoid. Hmmmm.... |
|
| no one special | @ 01:43:28 pm on June 19, 2008. |
| Anna, you are in my thoughts. It's a travesty how you and Zach have been treated by this city. The city has such deep problems and I hope you will continue to fight for Zach's law but I can only begin to comprehend the frustration you must feel. Is this perhaps part of the city's problem: How come there are no photos on the Internet of the thugs who beat up and murdered Zach? I'd like to know what type of savages to avoid. Hmmmm.... |
|
| be fair | @ 01:28:22 pm on June 19, 2008. |
| Why do you all attack ppl with opposing views? This website was set up to support Anna & Zach and that is what it WAS. Now it is a political debate based on supporting Anna & Zach. People like D. Neon and some others have opposing views and they have every right to give em. They should not be attacked for that. I do not live in Balt -- I do not know Anna & Zach. I did write a letter to Burns, Jessamy, and the Mayor letting them know how disgusting and inappropriate I thought Burns' comments were. I just find it ironic that this website had so many posts about how sad it is the way people hurt eachother for no reason yet when someone opposes your view you have no problem unleashing your rage on them. Seems hypocritical to me. You can support Anna and her fight without belittling others that may throw an opposing view out there. |
|
| A good, caring taxpayer | @ 12:06:08 pm on June 19, 2008. |
| Fire "Marty Burns" or is tha D. Neon ? She is NOT a " good person with good moral values." She is a vicious, evil, idiot! Fire Burns!!! |
|
| K | @ 11:16:31 am on June 19, 2008. |
| First of all... "I believe we must live together in community and seek forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation of those we offend, and we must do this privately and not in any way that may appear insincere," Burns wrote in the e-mail. What the hell is this?!?!? She didn't hesitate to make those awful statements publicly so she should make a public apology! I don't consider this any sort of apology. Seems as if she is trying to get everyone off her back. I am utterly disgusted by the events that has recently taken place...there are just no words to describe her ignorance. Anna...stay strong! As I mentioned before, so many people are on your side and we will continue to fight for you and Zachs Law. Its such a shame you have to deal with this, especially coming from people of her level. Thoughts and prayers are with you all...always!!! |
|
| Kara | @ 10:26:28 am on June 19, 2008. |
| To Question: Here is the information I used - I haven't sent an email but I did mail a letter addressed to Patricia Jessamy and Margaret Burns. PATRICIA COATS JESSAMY, State's Attorney (Democrat) Office of State's Attorney Courthouse West, Room 208, 100 North Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 396-4987; fax: (410 539-5215 e-mail: mail@stattorney.org web: www.stattorney.org/ |
|
| Stop! | @ 06:47:13 am on June 19, 2008. |
| D. Neon: this is a site to SUPPORT Anna and Zach, not take M.B.'s side. If you have nothing to say to support Zach, then you need to get off the website. M.B. said what she said and she is flat out wrong! Do you honestly think Anna is using this to get attention?! After all she's been through, it's people like you who make it harder for her! Buck's Mom: How DARE you question why there wasn't an autopsy!! Zach's body had been through enough- there was no need for an autopsy...we know what killed him- those savage children! Plane and simple- if you have nothing to say that supports Zach and Anna, then you need to get off this site! Anna, I'm so sorry that this is going on on here! People have no couth. Please enjoy your time in Ireland. Lots of love! |
|
| D. Neon | @ 12:42:10 am on June 18, 2008. |
| All that I have to say is that if this site is supposed to be supporting Anna and Zach, then why are most of the posts on it about getting Marty Burns fired? |
|
| Question | @ 12:02:31 am on June 18, 2008. |
| How can I email the state's attorney. I would LOVE to email them and let them know EXACTLY what I think of Burns' comments and worse, Jessamy cowardliness..I mean, that woman cannot even summon the courage to COMMENT on this...what's the matter Jessamy, afraid that you may offend the African American population by condemning the death of a white man at the hands of four African American teens?? Or, is it that you are simply afraid to even acknowledge that such THUGS run your city. Oh, wait...maybe you are too busy working on an indictment for the mayor! Gotta love CHARM CITY. Seriously, how do I email the state's attorney office??? |
|
| Caroline, ESQ. | @ 11:40:13 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Uhhh...to D.Neon, I highly doubt Anna wanted any of this attention and would gladly give it up if she could! Anna, enjoy Ireland. I pray for you everyday...for the strength to keep on going! |
|
| Kara | @ 11:35:13 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Anna - you can count on us to keep fighting the fight for you and Zach. In the meantime, take this trip to Ireland as an opportunity to relax, unwind and have fun. You most certainly deserve that. Hang in there! |
|
| anon | @ 11:27:15 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| how are zach's parents and sisters? why don't we hear from them on this site? |
|
| Sara | @ 10:43:34 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| I agree with Karma that reaching out to Dutch for political support may be a good idea. I know he was a Shock Trauma patient years ago and after they saved his life he became a HUGE health care advocate. Combine that with his political passion and you may have a partner to combat crime Anna. Worth a try! |
|
| karma | @ 10:19:08 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Neon: Why are you posting in favor of the SAO on this site? you must have something to gain. Marty may be mom of the year but she tends to be a bit of a blabbermouth to reporters...trusts too many people to interpret her off-handed remards. Anna, I wish I could say that big change would come from our outrage, and I will go everything I can do help, but this city and state just works by its own rules. Personally, I have nothing but FANTASTIC things to say about Dutch Ruppersburger. You may want to enlist him in the fight. He is a huge military person and just a really good guy overall. I think he would help you if you reached out to him. No...I don't work for him I just know him. He has the b@lls to stand up and ask for change... You have my number. K |
|
| Response To J | @ 09:00:19 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Yes J - I have wondered what publicity or motive Melody Simmons would have for "sprucing up" comments made by Burns? It is getting her "name" out there and she has claimed she is "only doing her job" despite hurting innocent people by uploading what she wrote. Melody Simmons should do the right thing and apologize for not getting her facts straight, |
|
| Buck's Mom | @ 08:59:21 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| But why was there no autopsy? I'm sure the medical bills must have been enormous, possibly money was a factor. Knowing this was a criminal event where a trial would be involved, it just doesn't make sense not to have an autopsy. What was the reasoning there? Zach was the victim. Anna, you were also robbed and victimized and I am truly sorry for your tragic loss and your many months of grief and suffering. I hope your voice will be used to make positive changes for the citizens of Baltimore in the future. Margaret Burns was not the perpetrator of this crime. She has been working tirelessly reporting about the Baltimore City justice system for many years. I have heard her speak compassionately, calmly and eloquently on behalf of victims many times and I find the comments attributed to her in the “Exhibit A” online article very out of character. Based on my knowledge of Mrs. Burns’s character and behavior I question the authenticity of that article. Electronic media has made it possible for individuals such as you Anna to speak directly to many people quickly. Electronic media has also made it possible to distribute profane comments and misrepresentations of facts very easily. I am very disturbed by some of the ugly comments on this blog. Throwing out insults shows a lack of proper analysis before arriving at a conclusion and an unwillingness to try to resolve this matter with a peaceful solution. I hope and pray that you can settle this matter and work as a team towards honoring Zach and helping other citizens, including those twisted lead paint infested teenagers who perpetrated such brutality on their fellow man. |
|
| Step in to the AM | @ 07:41:24 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Fogleman tells Jessamy to FIRE Burns! Read about it here: www.examiner.com/x-284-Baltimore-Politics-Examiner~y2008m6d18-Stephan-Fogleman-To-Patricia-Jessamy-Fire-Margaret-Burns |
|
| D. Neon | @ 07:25:37 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| To begin I would like to say, Anna I am very sorry for your loss and I am praying for you. I will say though that a very poor picture is being painted of Marty Burns. She is a good person with good moral values and is very professional when it comes to her job. It is unfair that so many people posting their thoughts on this site have such negative opinions of Marty Burns simply because of the way that the media has depicted what she said. The idea of Burns stepping down from a position that she does very well merely because of two words is absolutely ridiculous. We all must understand that the media twists around words that members of our government say and turn the meanings of those words into something completely different than what they originally meant. Something else that we should all be taking into consideration is the fact that Burns was working for Zach's case and also wants justice for the family. It is a terrible loss that Anna had to suffer but creating problems for Burns because of two words that she said is not going to help the problem at all. And to all of you who are taking petty jabs at Marty Burns's character, saying that she is an idiot and especially those of you who have the audacity to say that she is a bad parent to her children, you should be ashamed of yourselves. To make assumptions about a person who you do not even know personally and then talk about it on an internet blog is extremely childish. What you are doing is making up rumors and spreading gossip which are two things which you all should have stopped doing in high school. Marty Burns is a good person who has been very well educated, has been able to uphold a good and professional career, and does a fine job of raising her children. All she was doing was her job which was to represent Zach in a positive way. Would it have been better if Burns had of replaced the words "sleeping baby" with something like "bleeding, bruised, and disgustingly beaten baby." For some reason, I feel that if she had of said something like that which is apparently what you people are implying that she should have said, she would be getting just as much criticism if not more. Burns's job is to tell the public the facts how they are and that is just what she did. If people do not want to hear the truth then they are not obligated to turn their t.v. sets on to hear what Marty Burns has to say. I certainly feel that all of us should be supporting Anna during this time. I live in the city as well and members of my family have been beaten up, assaulted, robbed, held up at gun point etc. It is not fair though, for any of us to be insulting Burns and criticizing her. The woman deals with many of the crimes that occur in Baltimore, many of which are murders, and many of which do not get anywhere near this much media attention. All that I am saying is that many other families out there deserve justice for members of those families who have died and they don't get it. I feel like this site is turning into a way for Anna to get media attention. Is it really fair for Zach's case to get so much attention when homeless people are beat up and killed on the street everyday. Is that such a different situation than Zach's? If you believe so that is a total disregard for human life. How about this. We can all support Anna and hope that she receives justice in this case, leave Marty Burns alone since she has Anna and Zach's best interest in mind, and stop this site from turning into a way for Anna to get media attention not for Zach but for herself. I am not taking any sides in this case but i don't think that it is right to be blaming Marty Burns for this. What happened to Zach is not her fault and putting blame on her is not going to help anything or anyone. |
|
| To Blind: | @ 07:18:38 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| It is you that needs to be pulling something...your head out of your ass !!!! |
|
| Supporter | @ 07:16:44 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Anna, We WILL continue to be there for you, Zach and you families. Have fun in Ireland, it hope it's a peaceful trip for you....enjoy, no one deserves "peace" more than you !!!! |
|
| Larissa | @ 04:08:39 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Anna, I hope you have a safe and fun trip to Ireland. I first read about you and Zak in April, and periodically check this site to see if there are any new developments. The raid on Sheila Dixon's home made national news (I live in the Seattle area). I can't say I'm surprised. I also read the article in Exhibit A and was outraged by the statements made by Ms. Burns. I hope you know that so many people across America support you and the cause you are leading in Zach's memory. Stay strong! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Larissa |
|
| Rebecca | @ 03:11:19 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Anna will be on the Ed Norris Show, 1057 FM at 3:30 pm, Eddie just announced it! This is good, it will get more people angry and maybe more will write letters & e-mails and a barage of phone calls! |
|
| Russ K | @ 01:42:40 pm on June 18, 2008. |
| Burns can't even compose a grammatically correct letter that makes sense. The woman is an idiot. No wonder thugs get away with murder in Baltimore. Have a great time in Ireland,Anna. |
|
| You call this an apology? | @ 07:22:26 am on June 18, 2008. |
| www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.sowers18jun18,0,5666365.story baltimoresun.com Burns apologizes to Sowers' widow Jessamy's aide says journalist distorted remarks on injuries By Melissa Harris Sun reporter June 18, 2008 The spokeswoman for the Baltimore state's attorney's office has apologized by phone and by e-mail to the widow of a robbery victim whom she had criticized in an online publication, but she maintained that her comments were "vastly misrepresented" by the freelance journalist who wrote the piece. In a May 28 article in Exhibit A, which is about legal issues, Margaret T. Burns questioned whether the injuries Zachary Sowers sustained in June last year near his Patterson Park home were the result of a "vicious beating" and said that he looked like a "sleeping baby" at the hospital. Sowers died in March. Sowers' widow, Anna Sowers, has called for a public apology from Burns and her boss, State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy. "I basically told her that I appreciated her calling and apologizing, but I still wanted her to make a public apology and retraction," Anna Sowers said yesterday. "She's away at a conference, and so I told her she can basically take this time and decide whether to come out publicly. ... She didn't commit to it." Burns did not return a voice mail message late yesterday, but she has previously said the matter was a private one between herself and Sowers. Jessamy has not responded to requests for an interview made by TheSun via an e-mail, a visit to her office and three phone messages - one at her home and two to her office. "I believe we must live together in community and seek forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation of those we offend, and we must do this privately and not in any way that may appear insincere," Burns wrote in the e-mail Monday, which a friend of Sowers sent to TheSun and which was posted on Sowers' Internet page yesterday evening. "That is why I have not wanted to respond publicly to the many media inquiries, until I had an opportunity to let you know personally how sorry I am for all of this distraction and pain." Sowers' attacker, Trayvon Ramos, received a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to robbery and attempted first-degree murder. Three co-defendants pleaded guilty to robbery and were sentenced to eight years in prison. If any of the defendants violate their probations, a judge could impose much longer sentences, including a life sentence for Ramos. Burns also wrote that she could not "recall speaking in the tone or description that was used in the article" by Melody Simmons, a veteran journalist and former Sun reporter. Simmons, a freelancer for public radio and The New York Times, has said repeatedly that she stands by her reporting. "I understand that Zach was not a 'sleeping baby when he arrived at the hospital,'" Burns wrote, referring to a quote Simmons used. Burns was quoted in Simmons' article as saying: "The injuries were not consistent with this horrible pummeling. ... We know he was kicked, he fell and hit his head, he fell between two cars. He probably injured something in the fall or he had a pre-existing condition. There was no evidence of the vicious beating, no evidence of stomping." She also questioned whether Anna Sowers' statements were "100 [percent] accurate." According to medical records and photos in Sowers' assailant's court file, the 28-year-old victim had 19 different "diagnoses/problems" from head trauma to hemorrhages, bruises to brain tissue, respiratory failure and excess water build-up in his brain. Photos entered into evidence by prosecutors also show Sowers bleeding from the right side of his head, in a neck brace, wrapped in bandages and with multiple tubes coming from his mouth. The patient "sustained an isolated traumatic brain injury and had a complicated hospital course," one report reads. Sowers said she wants a public apology because Burns' statements have undermined her efforts to lobby for changes in state law that would help crime victims. "For her to say that I'm not saying things that are 100 percent accurate, that makes it harder for me to work with delegates and get laws changed," Sowers said. |
|
| Dirty Politics | @ 07:21:10 am on June 18, 2008. |
| www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.ci.dixon18jun18,0,3588731.story baltimoresun.com State raids mayor's home Search indicates Dixon is at center of City Hall spending probe By John Fritze,Gus G. Sentementes and Lynn Anderson Sun reporters June 18, 2008 Maryland state prosecutors raided the home of Mayor Sheila Dixon yesterday as part of an investigation into past spending practices at City Hall, the most aggressive move so far in the years-long probe. After spending more than seven hours inside, state prosecutors and police emerged from Dixon's house - in Hunting Ridge, along the city's western border with Baltimore County - carrying boxes, folders and a blue cooler they had brought in with them. Prosecutors declined to comment on the search and gave no indication of what they were looking for or what they removed from Dixon's home. Asked about the raid as she left her house yesterday morning, Dixon responded: "Ask them." The mayor kept to her schedule, and several political allies defended her publicly, but the search - a strong indication that Dixon is at the center of the investigation - had a disquieting effect on City Hall. Hours after they left the mayor's house, prosecutors served subpoenas on five city employees. "All I can say is that this has been a long investigation, and I have cooperated with the prosecutors," Dixon said last night as she left a scheduled event at the Baltimore Museum of Art. "I am really staying focused on running the city and doing the best we can to move forward." State Prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh declined to comment. Investigators have been examining spending irregularities at City Hall since a March 2006 series of articles in The Sun that detailed questions about the role of Dixon - then council president - in approving contracts that benefited her sister's employer. Prosecutors have served subpoenas on the city's development agency, Finance Department and Board of Estimates in the past year. Two people with ties to Dixon - her former campaign chairman and the owner of a company that employed her sister - have pleaded guilty on tax charges as part of the probe. But the decision to raid the mayor's private residence, which is not paid for by taxpayer money, represented a more aggressive stance in the investigation, which to date has largely relied on subpoenas to gather documents from city offices and employees. The search warrant drew criticism from some, including City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke - considered by many to be an independent voice on the council - who likened the raid to a "home invasion" and said that the state prosecutor's office should "stop picking on the mayor. ... Leave her alone." Dixon's lawyer, Dale P. Kelberman, also criticized the prosecutor, calling him "unaccountable." He said the prosecutor's office has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on investigations that "went nowhere" and suggested this one would also result in no charges. Federal prosecutors spent 18 months investigating hiring, spending and other practices at City Hall but ended their probe without filing any charges. "The state prosecutor has no limitation on the extent to which he can conduct an investigation of this type except his judgment," Kelberman said. "We leave to the public the verdict on what they think of that judgment." It is not uncommon for such investigations to drag on as prosecutors build evidence for a case. In Maryland, for instance, the federal investigation of former state Sen. Thomas L. Bromwell took years. Kelberman and Sterling Clifford, a Dixon spokesman, said they could not say where the search warrant was filed or what prosecutors removed from the house. It was also unclear why prosecutors issued subpoenas yesterday to the five city employees, some of whom worked for Dixon when she was council president. Those employees are Lauretta Brown, deputy director of the mayor's Office of Constituent Services; Chelsea Scott, a secretary in the mayor's office; Sharon Jackson, an assistant in the mayor's office; Wanda Watts, with the city's Health Department; and Anne Lansey, with the Department of Transportation. Dixon, a Baltimore native, formally entered politics in 1987 when she won the City Council seat Kweisi Mfume vacated when he was elected to Congress. After serving as council president for six years, Dixon overwhelmingly won the 2007 Democratic primary and general election for mayor. For months, she has been able to put the investigation aside, focusing instead on city government. The raid comes six months into her new term, which has been defined by a large drop in the number of homicides and an effort to make the city cleaner. Several political allies - and even former opponents - offered Dixon support yesterday. "I am convinced she would not jeopardize her incredibly good record as mayor," said state Sen. Lisa A. Gladden, a Baltimore Democrat and Dixon ally. "I say that with much affection because she has been doing a great job. This is old. We just need to move on." Dixon has been beset by ethical questions since her time on the City Council. She came under fire in 2006 after the series of articles in The Sun documented that she had voted on contracts at the Board of Estimates that benefited her sister's employer - a company called Utech. Dixon did not file complete ethics forms disclosing her sister's employment until after reports first appeared in the newspaper. Utech's owner, Mildred E. Boyer, pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges in March. Utech was hired by Doracon Contracting to perform $344,000 of electrical work on a $25 million development known as Frankford Estates. The company was hired shortly after the project received tax breaks from the city and state. Doracon's offices were raided by the state prosecutor's office in November. The Sun also reported that Dixon's former campaign chairman, Dale G. Clark, had received $500,000 in taxpayer money without a contract when he worked as a computer consultant to the City Council. Clark pleaded guilty to tax charges in September. Both Boyer and Clark agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, but it was unclear whether that assistance led to the raid on the mayor's home. A lawyer for Clark said his client has not heard from the prosecutor's office in more than a year. An attorney for Boyer declined to say whether his client had been contacted. On Jan. 11, 2007, the city Board of Ethics decided not to launch a formal investigation into the matter. Dixon and her two children were present when investigators arrived and entered her home about 6:30 a.m., officials said. Dixon left the house soon after and went to the gym. She returned shortly after 9 a.m. with her daughter and a City Hall aide. Dixon walked through the front door and did not take questions from reporters gathered on the street. About an hour later, Dixon left her house again and came to City Hall. About 1:45 p.m., investigators emerged from Dixon's house with a uniformed Maryland state trooper. They removed six boxes and a blue cooler. Investigators declined to answer questions and drove away in the minivan, an unmarked state police cruiser and another unmarked Chevrolet Malibu. Byron Warnken, a University of Baltimore law professor, noted that the raid means the prosecutor was able to convince a judge that there was probable cause of evidence of a crime - or the result of that crime - at the house. He said that while search warrants issued for a private residence tend to get more attention from the public, the legal burden of proof to obtain it is the same for other search warrants. "Our biggest interest in privacy is in our body and our next biggest interest is in our home," he said. "It doesn't take more or less to get a search warrant for your house or your business." |
|
| Karma | @ 12:10:45 am on June 17, 2008. |
| Please don't even respond to negative posts. That's what they want. Don't waste your time. Just ignore it. It's obvious where they're coming from. |
|
| Kara | @ 12:03:42 am on June 17, 2008. |
| Dewey Decimal should refrain from commenting on this site if he/she is not willing to support Zach and Anna. This site is in tribute of Zach's life and to help provide support to Anna and Zach's family. Anyone with an alterior motive should back off. Anna - I sent my letter to Patricia Jessamy and Margaret Burns today. I hope you receive the public apology you so deserve. Please do not lose your heart, strength or faith! |
|
| Caroline, ESQ. | @ 11:17:02 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| PA and Blind: CLUELESS!! Perspective?? Casting doubt as to Anna's account of the facts is completely misses the entire point...assuming arguendo, that she did misstate facts, does that make what those hoods did justified? Does an otherwise healthy male just fall into a coma for no apparent reason. You dont need have a medical degree to know THAT?? But, then again, you most likely lack any type of education at all or you wouldnt have such a rationalization failure, would you?? I 100% agree with Courtney the school teacher...there is absolutely no personal accountability anymore. Kids want to act as if no consequences for their actions exist. Parents defend the resultant products of their apathy and lack of control and the City officials are too concerned with appearing "politically correct" to do anything about it. People like Anna raise the bar! They make others LOOK at what a victim deals with emotionally and financially and take action! The beauty of what Anna has done is precisely what you criticize: "Do you really care that much about someone you dont know".... The answer, you MORON is YES and the power of that is what makes it so special |
|
| Get an Education "Dewey Decimal" | @ 11:12:35 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| Dewey Decimal...you are a sick individual. Also an assaulter? Perhaps, friends with such heathens?? Those scum bag, sorry ass animals should have been put to death for what they have taken from Anna and her family. The prosecutor's office should have taken it to trial and at the very least, kept their mouths shut about ridiculous comments...like someone who had been beaten into a coma looks like a sleeping baby???? I am sure that is how he looked and how he felt |
|
| Karma | @ 11:10:30 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| Anna, There is a saying: any publicity is good publicity. As hurtful and horrible and wrong as these comments from Marty Burns were...I'm trying to look at it this way: at least it is putting Zach back in the news where he and his case belongs. Since Zach died, I have been thinking about how very sad it would be if his murder just faded away and nothing changed. I have met Marty Burns a few times for professional reasons only and I am absolutely astounded by her comments and her delayed response. She always seemed totally frantic when I spoke with her. That's usually a symptom of a problem. Don't know if this is the case here. She must see a lot of really depressing stuff. Personally...if an article contained misquotes, I would have called a news conference (regardless of what my boss wanted) immediately to address the issue and defend myself AS A HUMAN BEING for Zach. The whole "between us" defense is BS...this crime has affected an entire city. She sat there at her conference and consulted with her boss about what to say. Margaret, please, for everyone's sake including your own, step up and step down. How does your boss sleep at night? Just remember...what goes around comes around. That's a fact. |
|
| Karma | @ 11:10:30 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| Anna, There is a saying: any publicity is good publicity. As hurtful and horrible and wrong as these comments from Marty Burns were...I'm trying to look at it this way: at least it is putting Zach back in the news where he and his case belongs. Since Zach died, I have been thinking about how very sad it would be if his murder just faded away and nothing changed. I have met Marty Burns a few times for professional reasons only and I am absolutely astounded by her comments and her delayed response. She always seemed totally frantic when I spoke with her. That's usually a symptom of a problem. Don't know if this is the case here. She must see a lot of really depressing stuff. Personally...if an article contained misquotes, I would have called a news conference (regardless of what my boss wanted) immediately to address the issue and defend myself AS A HUMAN BEING for Zach. The whole "between us" defense is BS...this crime has affected an entire city. She sat there at her conference and consulted with her boss about what to say. Margaret, please, for everyone's sake including your own, step up and step down. How does your boss sleep at night? Just remember...what goes around comes around. That's a fact. |
|
| Anonymous | @ 10:48:53 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| How do you know, and what makes you think that Anna is lying? Why would she lie? Are you helping here? Don't you think that it is in everyone's best interest, primarily the victim here who is Anna and her family, that we all stay focused, and be as encouraging as possible instead of being critical? It doesn't pay to be critical, but pays to be encouraging. And that is what the Sower's family needs. So why not put your money where your mouth is, and stay focused and be more incouraging next time. If you or anyone have any doubts about Anna and her story, then instead of being so critical, give off encouragment and good advice to help her see things more clearly, if it should be the case that there are things about this case that isn't true. When you think about it, everyone is in the same boat. And that is having to deal with the problems of increased high crime not just in the city of Baltimore, but every where all over the world! So everyone, encourage one another! WE could all use it! |
|
| Dewey Work for Jessamy? | @ 10:29:32 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| I smell a troll. Nobody could be more stupid than Marty Burns. |
|
| Dewey Decimal is a Dope | @ 10:27:51 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| Dear Double-D, Ms. Burns has publicly admitted that she did wrong. Anna's grasp of the facts in her husband's case has been steadily airtight. Your goofball comments are only making it worse. |
|
| Dewey Decimal | @ 09:53:46 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| I believe that Ms. Burns did not do anything wrong in this case. The evidence shows that Anna clearly is not telling the truth. I think that people should listen to the professionals at Jessamy's office instead of basing their opinion on Anna's lies. |
|
| Don't Mess with Anna | @ 09:02:17 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| This is a typical non-apology letter. Send your emails, phone calls and letters to the State's Attorney's Office. This letter in too little and definitely too late! Dear Anna: I apologize for not writing or contacting you sooner. After being contacted by William Cheng on Thursday, I was as stunned as you wer when I read the article in Exhibit A. I immediately contacted the prosecutor to learn more about his interest in the caseas a witness . It was soon obvious that there were majot misrepresentations in the article and I have not wanted to comment publicly until I could more fully understood how this occurred. In addition, I believe we must live together in community and seek forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation of those who we offend, and we must do this privately and not in any way that might appear insincere. That is why I have not wanted to respond to the many media inquiries, until I had an opportunity to let you know you know personally how sorry I am for all of this distraction and pain. I want to let you know that I was vastly misrepresented in the article and that I understand Zach was not a "sleeping baby when he arrived at the hospital". I did respond to the reporter regaring related questions to the court proceedings, and I did outline the convictions on the public record for the four teens involved in the case. Because there have been inaccuracies in published reports about the case, and we cannot comment on pending matters, I did try to correct the record for this reporter who was writing an article that included the offender's criminal records. Despite my attempt, this information was incorrect in the article as well. The interview occurred many weeks ago, but is just recently published. I cannot recall speaking in the tone or description that was used in the article. My entire tenure in the State's Attorney's Office has been one in which I recognize and appreciate the pain and anguish suffered by crime victims and their families. I would never do anything to increase that pain and anguish. Please also know that in addtion to the Communication Division's awareness of the victim's needs, Mrs. Jessamy, the attorneys and all of the staff have set victims services as a priority of this office. We all work hard every day to ensure that victims are treated fairly, and with compassion. The group of citizen friends, family and community gathered as a result of Zach's tragedy has contributed a wonderful gift to Baltmore through your collective voice of interest in Zach's case and our criminal justice system. Too often we have spoken about the absence of outrage at senseless tragedies in our community. We do not want to silence your voice at this senseless tragedy, but hope it can be used to build toward a community dialogue on violence reduction and victim support. I encourage you to invest in making sure that the voices of our crime victims continues. Sincerely, Margaret T. Burns |
|
| E | @ 08:37:00 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| How are Zach's parents and sisters doing? |
|
| Eyes wide open | @ 08:32:20 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| Blind - I did know him. And emotions set aside, if you were to have seen him a few days after the brutal beating - you would not even question his injuries. If you followed the story and the hearings, you would know they did admit to stomping...and I will not to get anymore detailed because none of us need to recap what actually did happen. So I have to ask - if the Anna is wrong, the attorneys are wrong and the doctors are wrong then should we believe you...or someone else without a half of an education or qualified opinion? If Burns or our wonderful Jessamy did not hold a public office their opinion would remain the same and there would not be any retraction...because that is who they are and that who their constituents consist of... “Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind. The difference lies not in the respective natures of savagery and civilization, but in their attendant circumstances, institutions, and so forth. The difference, therefore, does not operate in every sense, but it does in most of them. Even the most civilized peoples, in short, can be fired with passionate hatred for each other.” |
|
| Apology in Motion | @ 07:24:41 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| All Zachatistas, Marty Burns has made a good start. Now she just needs to make a full and unqualified public retraction. Check out tonight's Baltimore Sun website, lead story. |
|
| J-- | @ 05:46:27 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| I am in 110% agreement with the fact that Burns and Jessamy need to rot in hell, or better yet suffer a rath simliar to what Zach and family went through for almost a year. Has anyone wondered what publicity or motive Melody Simmons would have as well for "sprucing up" comments made by Burns? After all, it is getting her "name" out there and she can always claim the "only doing my job" position despite hurting innocent people by reporting what she wrote. Any thoughts there? |
|
| A.W and M.W. | @ 05:02:29 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| We will be praying for strength and guidance for you!!! Zach is so proud of you! God Bless and stay strong!!! |
|
| B | @ 04:45:27 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| I have lived here all my life. It never use to be this way, until they let the animals out. |
|
| A friend | @ 04:39:39 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| I'm sure you've heard the term, "victimizing the victim". That's just what the city of Baltimore is doing to Anna, Zach and their whole family. They should be ashamed. Anna, stay strong! |
|
| From Overlea | @ 04:15:39 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| PA and Blind, You do not have a clue. Go back to the rock you crawled from under and take Jessamy and Burns with you. Come back when you have something sensible to say. Go Jason and Rebecca!!!! Anna, keep strong as I know you will. Their words have no merit, none of them will every be the woman that you are. |
|
| Katie Sharp | @ 02:53:53 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| Anna, I believe Gregory Kane is going to try and contact you for a possible future column. He is not sure if he still has your email address though. You may want to send him an email or call. I emailed him yesterday morning to ask whether he would be writing about this recent development and he wrote me back today. Keep going! We are all behind you! |
|
| Matt- Patterson Park | @ 02:33:49 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| If you want to help get Jessamy out of office in 2010, then donate money to her opponent. Steve Fogleman was better qualified in 2006, but PJ's incumbency made it harder for him to collect campaign funds. |
|
| Concerned on S. Robinson Street | @ 01:08:33 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| Did anyone read about the cop shooting the 21 year old guy on 100 S. Robinson last night? He was getting arrested for beating up another young boy and pulled a gun and the cop shot him to death. Too bad the cops didn't catch those 4 hoodlums the night of Zach's attack and do the same thing to them. |
|
| Lauren | @ 12:42:27 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| How is Mrs. Jessamy still in office? Let me guess she keeps getting elected by the idiots she takes care of. Its time for a change. |
|
| Lauren | @ 12:42:27 pm on June 17, 2008. |
| How is Mrs. Jessamy still in office? Let me guess she keeps getting elected by the idiots she takes care of. Its time for a change. |
|
| Courtney | @ 11:54:40 am on June 17, 2008. |
| I understand why Anna did not want an autopsy. Legally nothing more could be done, I believe in letting the body rest. Honestly it would be a selfish thing to do an autopsy. And I taught Trayvon Raymos-- this kid has had excuse after excuse for his behavior even from middle school. I am sick of people defending criminals, he was a bully then and nothing was done. His family always said, Poor Trayvon, not him, he has had a rough life, etc. It is sad that Anna has to still fight against people trying to make what was a senseless beating seem like not that big of a deal. Maybe if the schools, laws, etc did not make ex | |