WEEK IN REVIEW
Oct. 22-28
Sunday, October 29, 2006; Page C04
Fenty Seeks Mayoral Advice in CaliforniaDemocratic Nominee Discusses Schools, Security
D.C. Democratic mayoral nominee Adrian M. Fenty headed to California as he continued his barnstorming tour to gather ideas for a likely administration. He and a core group of advisers visited Los Angeles and San Francisco, seeking suggestions about schools, homeland security and other issues.
The Ward 4 council member is all but assured election as mayor in November because the city is so heavily Democratic. Since winning the primary in September, Fenty also has visited Baltimore, New York and Chicago.
Jamal Acquitted of Bribery ChargesDeveloper Convicted of Lesser Count of Wire Fraud
  Arlington Burial Brig. Gen. Joseph Dibartolomeo presents a flag to Jodi Dyer, wife of Chief Warrant Officer Scott W. Dyer, who died Oct. 11 in Afghanistan. (By Gerald Martineau -- The Washington Post) |
Douglas Jemal, the maverick developer credited with revitalizing parts of downtown, was acquitted of charges that he bribed a city official to get millions of dollars in inflated government contracts.
The jury in U.S. District Court convicted Jemal of one lesser count of wire fraud, involving a mortgage transaction. But the panel acquitted Jemal and two top lieutenants of his company, Douglas Development Corp., of charges of conspiracy and bribery.
The prosecution's star witness was Michael Lorusso, a former D.C. official who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from Jemal -- items that allegedly included $10,000, a Rolex and trips to Las Vegas. Jurors later said they did not believe Lorusso, who could get a lighter sentence for his testimony.
Jemal's son, Norman Jemal, vice president of the company, was acquitted of all charges. But leasing agent Blake Esherick was convicted of wire fraud and tax evasion for underreporting his income.
Juror Is Expelled From Murder TrialWoman Pushed Numerology in Talks, Peers say
A juror was dismissed in the middle of deliberations in a D.C. murder case after trying to inject numerology into the discussions.
Instead of focusing on the evidence, jurors said, the woman talked about numbers, as well as colors that witnesses were wearing. A D.C. Superior Court judge replaced her with an alternate after the other jurors complained. Deliberations then began anew in the trial of two men accused of killing 14-year-old Jahkema "Princess" Hansen in January 2004.
Principal and Student Charged in FightArrests Come After Altercation at Eastern High
The principal of Eastern Senior High School, who was hired this fall to transform the troubled school, was arrested along with a student after a scuffle. Shawn Hearn, 35, and student Kenneth Holsey, 18, were charged with misdemeanor simple assault.
The trouble began after an altercation inside the school at 1700 East Capitol St. NE. Hearn was on the third floor trying to get students to return to their classrooms when he grabbed two male students, police said. Holsey then jumped on the principal, police said. Police officers assigned to the school arrested Hearn and Holsey.
Hearn was reassigned to the central administration office while investigations continue.
Police Unveil Online Crime MapWeb Tool Pinpoints Incidents, Street by Street
D.C. police have launched a new crime-mapping tool on the department's Web site, allowing anyone to create a map of a sliver of the city and immediately see what crimes have happened there.
The new site, http:/
City Urged to Settle Stadium ParkingGandhi Says D.C. Risks Penalties Without Plan
D.C. officials have yet to agree on a plan to provide parking for a new baseball stadium -- and the government's chief financial officer is warning that the city faces serious penalties if it fails to deliver.
Natwar M. Gandhi said the city faces significant liabilities if the D.C. Council continues to oppose a plan to build aboveground garages at the ballpark near the Anacostia River in Southeast Washington; the council will review the matter next month.
