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Mark Thompson writes, Murder Trial Points to War Trauma:

A Maryland murder trial is being turned into a debate on the lingering traumatic impact of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq on the psyche of the Americans who served there. The prosecution is trying to prove that Gary Smith, a one-time Army Ranger, murdered his roommate of 20 days and fellow Ranger Michael McQueen, 22, by putting a .38-caliber revolver to his right temple and pulling the trigger. Smith’s attorney, however, notes that the 25-year-old former sergeant has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following repeated combat tours, and insists that McQueen committed suicide, drunk, despondent and unemployed.

For more on this story, see my previous posts.

While the report below refers to the hotel as the Courtyard Marriott, it has recently changed hands and is now the Wyndham Garden Hotel.

From the City’s website:

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Attempted Armed Robbery

On March 27, 2008 at 2:12 a.m., officers responded to the Courtyard Marriott located at 805 Russell Avenue for an attempted armed robbery of a citizen. The victim advised that he was approached by a suspect, who was armed with a revolver, as he exited his vehicle in the parking lot. The suspect demanded money however the victim advised that he didn’t have any and he ran towards the hotel. The suspect fled the scene on foot. An investigation is ongoing.

Suspect Information: Black Male, 5-09, 170 pounds, medium complexion, short braided hair, and a mustache. Wearing a camoflage jacket and armed with a silver revolver.

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred on Tuesday, 3/11 between 8:40 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. in the 1100 block of West Side Drive in Gaithersburg. Forced entry, property taken.
• A commercial burglary occurred at the Muddy Branch Veterinarian Center at 333 Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 3/16 around 7:50 p.m. No forced entry, property taken.
• Theft of vehicle parts from Toyota Corollas on Duvall Lane in Gaithersburg.
  • 3/14-15 Fri.-Sat. 100 block of Duvall Lane
  • 3/17-18 Mon.-Tue. 100 block of Duvall Lane
  • 3/17-18 Mon.-Tue. 100 block of Duvall Lane

P2 Beat:

• A theft (purse snatch) occurred on Beacon Square Court in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 3/13 around 6:15 a.m. An arrest was made nearby on Sioux Lane resulting in the recovery of property. A 17-year-old male from Gaithersburg was arrested.
• An aggravated assault occurred in the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 3/15 at 8:35 a.m. It was domestic-related.

  Suspect: H/M 5’7”, 180 lbs., 40 years old

R1 Beat:

• No significant activity to report.

R2 Beat:

• An attempted residential burglary occurred Tuesday, 3/11 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the unit block of Strath Haven Court in Montgomery Village. No entry was made.
• A commercial burglary was reported after a male was found in the basement of Christ the Servant Church at 9801 Centerway Road in Montgomery Village on Thursday, 3/13 around 7:15 a.m. The burglary suspect (a male) fled immediately upon his discovery. It was later learned that a side window was the point of entry
• Several thefts from vehicles occurred on Cinnabar Drive at East Village Avenue in Montgomery Village between Sunday, 3/16 at 8:00 p.m. and Monday, 3/17 at 7:00 a.m. Some vehicles were vandalized and several more had property stolen from them.

S1 Beat:

• An attempted theft (purse snatching) in the 400 block of South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg occurred on Thursday, 3/13 around 10:15 p.m. The female victim was approached by the two suspects who began tugging at her backpack and demanding money. The victim ran to the other side of the street and MCP was contacted. Both men, one age 39 of no fixed address, and a 19-year-old from Gaithersburg, were arrested nearby.
• A commercial burglary occurred at the law office at 320 East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg between Wednesday, 3/12 at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, 3/13 at 1:00 p.m. Forced entry, property taken.
• An attempted vehicle theft occurred overnight between Saturday, 3/15 and Sunday, 3/16 on Sapling Hill Way in Gaithersburg. Damage was done to the vehicle.
• Thefts from vehicles in Gaithersburg. Vehicles were either unlocked or showed no signs of forced entry:
  • 3/12-13 Wed.-Thu. Hutton Street
  • 3/13 Thu. Olde Town Avenue
  • 3/16-17 Sun.-Mon. Peony Drive

S2 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred at China Jay’s restaurant, 16805 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville, on Saturday, 3/15 around 9:30 p.m. Two employees had a dispute over how a dish should be prepared.
• Two attempted stolen vehicle incidents both occurred overnight between Saturday, 3/15 and Sunday, 3/16. Each vehicle was damaged.
  • 18300 block of Streamside Drive in Gaithersburg 1994 Honda Accord 4-Door
  • 18800 block of Cross Country Lane in Gaithersburg 1998 Plymouth Voyager