The musings of Sean Paul Murphy: Editor, Producer, Screenwriter, Author. Or, Hollywood -- and beyond -- as seen from an odd little corner of northeast Baltimore, Maryland.
Here's another COVID free ZOOM edition of the Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast, a lively discussion of the movies that sometimes devolves into a group therapy session.
To keep things fresh, we're starting a new format this week. Each episode is going to consist of a three film genre showdown. Each of the participants, picked by random, must bring a film to the table in a genre also picked randomly. The others vote on which of the three films the whole group will watch and review. The winner of the episode goes onto the next genre with two randomly picked competitors. This week my lovely wife Debbie, Podmaster Ralph and yours truly each bring a western. Who will win?
My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.
My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.
I am an avid genealogist. The past is very important to me. I spend a lot of time in cemeteries photographing tombstones to upload on the website FindAGrave.
I enjoy recognizing long dead people by putting memorials to them online. However, every once and a while something grabs me about a specific grave. It could be the name, or the dates or a ceramic photo. In those cases, I feel compelled to dig a little deeper. That's what this series of blogs is about: The tales behind those graves. Some of my subjects will be heroes. Some will be villains. Some will be victims. And some will linger in between, like most of us. However, don't be surprised if the tales are inherently tragic. These are grave tales. They all end in death.
Isidore Gold
If you have been reading my prior tales, it should be easy to figure out what attracted me to these two lonely graves in the Ohr Knesseth Israel Anshe Sfard Cemetery. I am always drawn to graves with photographs, and I am always saddened by the deaths of children. I can't imagine anything more horrible than a young life cut short. I can only imagine the grief of the parents. My sadness grew when I saw that both of the children -- brothers Isidore and Solomon Gold -- died on the same day. I always assume multiple deaths at that time period were either automobile accidents or house fires. That was not the case here. What I found instead was equally tragic and ennobling.
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 05 July 1926, Monday:
6 ARE DROWNED, TWO IN EFFORTS TO SAVE OTHERS
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Isadore Gold, 11, Dies In Attempt To Rescue 7-Year-Old Brother.
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SWIMMER, 16, LOSES LIFE IN ROCK CREEK
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Girl, 12, Victim While Wading--Four Escape From Burning Launch.
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Six persons were drowned, two of them while making attempts to save others, and another narrowly escaped death over the week-end in waters near the city.
The drowned were:
Isadore Gold, 11 years old, 738 Reservoir Street.
Solomon Gold, Isadore's brother, 7 years old.
William C. Trabert, 16 years old, 619 North Montford avenue.
Jesse Deck, 25 years old, Smithburg, Md.
James Darnell, 16 years old, Hyattsville, Md.
Margaret Broadfoot, 12 years old, 219 Clarendon avenue, Pikesville.
Isadore was drowned yesterday morning when he jumped from a rowboat into the waters of North Creek in a fruitless attempt to save his brother, who had fallen overboard. Several hours later the Trabert youth was drowned when he became exhausted while swimming in Rock Creek.
Girl Dies While Wading.
The little girl, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George S. Broadfoot, was drowned yesterday while wading with Leona Horner and Ruth Hammond, playmates, at Whitehall Beach, near Annapolis. It is believed she stepped suddenly into a hole as she disappeared beneath the surface and did not reappear.
As they saw their friend sink from sight Margaret's two playmates called for help. The child's father rushed to the scene and waded into the water. Unable to swim, his attempt to reach the spot where his daughter sank were unsuccessful.
With the aid of grappling hooks the Essex police recovered the bodies of the two brothers. They were brought to the city and will be buried today. Efforts to located the body of the 16-year-old youth had proven futile at a late hour last night. A request that Police Headquarters send the police boat and grappling irons brought the response that the boat was out of commission.
Boys Go Rowing.
Isadore and Solomon, accompanied by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hyman Gold; their two brothers, Philip and Louis, and several friends, went to a house on North creek, near the Bay Shore trolley bridge, early yesterday to spend the day. Soon after their arrival the boys went rowing with Bernard Schnapper, 12 years old, 432 North Carey street, and Morris Sistol, 12 years old, 2010 East Fayette street.
When they were about a mile from the house and approximately 100 yards from shore, Solomon feel from the bow of the craft. Knowing that his younger brother could not swim, Isadore, according to his two companions, jumped overboard to try to save him. Both sank immediately and did not reappear. The water at that point is fifteen feet deep.
Others Call For Help.
The other boys in the boat called for help, but the persons who were near by on the shore, it is said, disregarded cries in the belief that it was a hoax. When no one answered the boys rowed ashore. They told of the accident and efforts to recover the bodies were begun.
After the parents of the brothers had been informed of the drownings and the bodies had not been located, the Essex police were notified. Sergt. Claude Funk and Patrolmen Max Engelberth, Joseph Lawson, Westly Hughes and Edward L. Benoff located the bodies.
Bodies Brought To City.
After being pronounced dead by George W. Carson, coroner at Essex, the bodies were brought to the city. The younger boy was in the third grade of Public School No. 61 and the older was in the eighth grade of Public School No. 79.
The Trabert youth was drowned shortly after noon. Accompanied by his sister and brother and several friends he was spending the day on the creek. A good swimmer, he was in deep water when he was seized with cramps. Before persons on shore could reach him he sank and did not reappear.
Becomes Exhausted.
Joseph Trabert, William's brother, made an effort to save him, but became exhausted before he reached the spot where the youth had disappeared. Joseph was rescued by his brother-in-law, Theodore Trody. Efforts of persons living in the vicinity to recover William's body failed.
Mr. Deck was drowned while attempting to save Calvin Myers, 729 West Fayette street, who was swimming in Back river near Foos shore. Mr. Myers was brought to the shore by other bathers, but Mr. Deck became exhausted and sank before any one could reach him.
The body was recovered by Miss Isabel Berger, of Allentown, Pa. Attempts to revive the man by means of artificial respiration failed and the body was brought to the city.
Drowns While Swimming.
Darnell lost his life late Saturday night near Edgewater Beach, South river. He was one of a party of youths from Hyattsville who were being entertained by Mr. and Mrs. William S. Sandilands, of that town. Search was begun for the youth when the party prepared to return to Hyattsville. The body was found in eight feet of water. It is believed that Darnell dived into shallow water, was stunned when he struck the bottom and drowned before he could revive. At an inquest held in Annapolis a verdict of accidental drowning was returned.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Carl Darnell, of Hyattsville.
Four Escape Burning Launch.
Two men, a woman and a boy were picked up by the crew of the Ericsson liner Lord Baltimore after they had escaped in a rowboat from their launch when it caught fire about a half a mile off Sparrow's Point late Saturday night.
Those rescued, all of whom live at Dundalk, were Emil Lehtonen, wife wife, Ellen; their son, K. Ronald Lehtonen, and Laurence Lehtonen, Emil's brother.
The party was fishing when gasoline from the engine caught fire.
The burning launch attracted the attention of Capt. Melbourne Willis, of the Lord Baltimore, and a rescue was soon effected.
Solomon Gold
It is said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your brother. Young Isidore displayed that very love for his younger brother Sol. I doubt anyone could say anything to console the grief of their family, but hopefully over time Isidore's courage proved a comfort and inspiration to them. It did to me. I started this series of blogs to tell stories like this one, which do not deserve to be lost in the mist of history.
Remember, there is a story behind every grave. You never know what you're missing when you walk past one...
My novel Chapel Streetis now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble. Chapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting.
Twenty-one-years ago today, I first laid eyes on the love of my life: Deborah Lynn Crum.
We met at a Friday Night Swing Dance at the Tall Cedars Hall on Taylor Avenue in Parkville, Maryland. I had been attending the dances for months. That night was Debbie's first appearance. She was supposed to go with a bunch of friends from Harbor Hospital where she worked, but, luckily for me, they all dropped out one by one.
For me, it was love at first sight. She had a great smile, mesmerizing eyes and an obvious enthusiasm for life. And she looked absolutely stunning in a seductive black dress. I, on the other hand, was wearing tennis shoes. That should tell you everything you need to know. I shouldn't have had a shot at her, but something clicked. When she mentioned she was on a low-carb diet, I immediately invited her to the Bel-Loc dinner on Joppa Road for eggs. It was a great night.
Debbie called me the next morning at nine a.m., to say she wanted to be friends. That might've the only option available. She already had two dates lined up with different guys that weekend. Still, I got to squeeze in a Sunday afternoon lunch in Little Italy. I managed to give her a little kiss when I dropped her off at home afterwards. Fortunately, nothing clicked with the other guys and by Wednesday I managed to convince her that I might have something more to offer than just friendship....
I knew I had to marry this girl. I planned to propose to her one evening in Italy near the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but she was too tired from traveling to leave the room. It was just as well. I didn't actually have the ring yet so it wouldn't have counted.
The actual proposal
Debbie went ring shopping with me back in Baltimore, so I think she suspected a proposal would be coming soon. (After I asked for her hand from her father first, of course!) However, I made up for it by proposing unexpectedly at a pool party at the home of Melvin and Irene Keller. Why there? I had a feeling they'd have some champagne on hand and they did!
We got married twice. Once in Las Vegas on September 30th, and again in Baltimore on October 7th. Why two weddings? Easy. We lost control of events. We couldn't quite decide whether to get married in Las Vegas or Baltimore. Our hand was forced when family and friends started making reservations in Las Vegas. However, we still wanted a more traditional wedding so arrangements were made at Stillmeadow Evangelical Free Church a week later. We doubled our pleasure and doubled our fun and doubled our wedding gifts, too!
Here's our Las Vegas Wedding:
Here's our Baltimore Wedding:
Here's the Baltimore Reception:
Would I marry her again? You betcha! Wanna know how important she is to me? I'm not even using this blog as opportunity to sell my book.
I am very grateful that vblogger John Mountain took the time to read my novel Chapel Street and review it on his YouTube channel. I was delighted that he gave the boook four out of five stars. Listen to his review and find out why, and please take the time to subscribe to his channel. I have been enjoying his reviews.
Needless to say, my novel Chapel Streetis now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble. Chapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting.
I wrote an earlier blog about query letters. In that blog, I reprinted a number of my successful ones. This blog is a little different. Here I will show my process in creating a query letter. I will explain all of my whys and what fors in a potential attempt to market the movie rights (and script) of my novel Chapel Street.
This is only a potential query letter. A number of production companies, including some very respectable ones, requested the novel from the publisher. I have to wait and see how that plays out. Additionally, prior to publication, a producer I know tried to incorporate Chapel Streetinto a four picture deal a friend had going. Sadly, everyone agreed the film couldn't be done on the projected budget. More recently, a team of successful producers have solicited me about the rights for the novel. However, because of the COVID shutdown, no one seems to be in a particular hurry. (I have another film, with money in place, currently languishing in pre-production because of the pandemic. I hope the money is still there after the virus is gone!)
That's why this is only a potential query letter. I want to have one ready to go if all of the current interest fades, but I don't anticipate sending it out anytime soon. If ever. So here goes.
Whenever you try to sell anything, you have to consider your strengths and weaknesses. Then maximize your strengths and downplay your weaknesses.
Let's deal with the strengths first.
I believe I have a really strong story that people will enjoy. However, my enthusiasm, while necessary, isn't a convincing argument in and of itself. Every pitch and query a producer receives from a writer will (or should) feature that exact same enthusiasm, whether the script is good or bad. Fortunately, I have an advantage in this category.
Why are producers more willing to read scripts from agents rather than from the writers themselves? Easy. Because they believe agents have already weeded out all of the garbage and the crazies. They curated the material they send out. I will not be sending this script out with an agent. Therefore, I have to make the producers realize that Chapel Street has gone through the same process of curation. That's why I must say that the book has been traditionally published by TouchPoint Press. That means that a genuine for profit corporation found something of value in the story and decided to actually invest in it. Anyone can self-publish. A listing on Amazon is no guarantee of quality. A self-published book carries zero weight in Hollywood -- unless it sells five million copies.
Additionally, even if they have never heard of my publisher, they've certainly heard of Publishers Weekly. They are an industry arbiter of quality. That's why I am going to add thatChapel Street was one of only seven horror titles featured in their October Booklife Indie Spotlight. The fact that they gave me the nod should carry some weight.
Another strength is my past experience as a screenwriter. In addition to winning awards, I also have written fourteen produced feature films. That proves I know how to operate within the system. That's important. Everybody wants to deal with someone who knows and respects the rules.
Additionally,Chapel Streetwas inspired by a true haunting. Producers and studios wants to say that their film is inspired by a true story. It increases the curiosity factor with the audience. Therefore, I have to make the producer aware of the factual roots of the story in my pitch.
Sounds like I have it made, right? Well, I do have one weakness to overcome: Twelve of my fourteen produced films were faith-based. That makes me a little suspect in mainstream Hollywood. They want straight-up horror, not preaching. My problem is compounded by the fact villain is demonic. That makes it inherently spiritual. Fortunately, supernatural and spiritual elements are widely accepted in the horror genre. Many people consider The Exorcist the best horror film ever made.Chapel Street is no more religious than that film. I feel I should be able to overcome the faith-based weakness.
Okay, let's get on with the query -- line by line.
Dear Mr. Blum,
I am writing because I have enjoyed your films for years. I believe you and your company are at the global forefront of the horror genre. I know you will love my script.
Obviously, this first line will change with every pitch, but I like to open with something personal. If you can't find something nice to say about a producer and his/her work, then maybe you shouldn't be sending your script to them!
“The Conjuring” meets “Hereditary” in my highly acclaimed paranormal thriller “Chapel Street,” traditionally published by TouchPoint Press and inspired by an actual haunting. The novel was one of only seven horror titles recently featured in Publishers Weekly’s October BookLife Indie Spotlight.
Why am I comparing my script to other films? Easy. To show that stories like mine have made money for studios. Here's a rule my late agent, Stu Robinson, taught me: Never compare your script to a film that lost money regardless of how good or interesting it was. It's about making money.
Notice how I succinctly hit all of my strengths in that one paragraph? Never bury the lead. Let them know why they should read your script.
Logline: Rick Bakos straddles the line between sanity and madness while battling a demonic curse that has driven his family members to suicide for generations.
These lines represent a huge departure from the way I usually do things. In the past I would go with a slightly longer log line. This time I decided to leave the heavy lifting to a video trailer.
I've never incorporated video into a pitch before, but after listening to the guys on the fantastic Scriptnotes podcast, I decided to give it a try. I think it is a great piece with eerie music, spooky images and a fabulous voice over by actor friend Mark Redfield. It's four minutes long. Two minutes are devoted to the story. Two minutes are devoted to review excerpts. If someone doesn't want to read the script or the book after watching that piece, I don't know what else I could possibly do.
Read about the actual haunting here: https://seanpaulmurphyville.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-haunting-of-21-st-helens-avenue.html
I feel it is important to link to my blogs about the actual haunting that inspired the story. A truth claim needs to be backed up. However, as you can see, I am counting on the producer to click on not one but two links. That's asking a lot, but I'm willing to take the chance.
In addition to being a novelist, I am also an award-winning screenwriter with fourteen produced features. A series of short true crime films I wrote for the FBI won a combined six Emmys on the Pentagon Channel. The late Stu Robinson at Paradigm formerly represented me.
This is all I say about myself. To avoid my association with the faith-based genre, I do not mention the names of any of my specific films despite the fact that many of them feature recognizable name actors. (Your credibility as a screenwriter hinges in part on the ability of your scripts to attract recognizable names.) I mention that I am an award-winning screenwriter. However, I do not specifically mention that I was a 2012 winner of the $50,000 Kairos Prize, because that award is widely associated with the faith-based genre. Instead, I count on the Emmys that my FBI films won to give my writing credibility. They were regional Emmys, but an Emmy is an Emmy is an Emmy. Or so I've been told.
When I pitched Chapel Street as a book, I mentioned that I taught writing at Towson University. I don't mention my teaching experience when I pitch producers. I don't think they value teaching as much as publishers. You know the old saying: Those that can do, those that can't teach....
Some might find it odd that I mention my late agent Stu Robinson. I know I did. I would have never thought to do so until I had a conversation with a producer about one of my scripts. He asked me about my background and I mentioned Stu. He said Stu was very well respected and I should always mention him in my queries. He said my connection with him made me "a member of the club." I've been doing it ever since. Plus, I feel like I'm honoring him when I mention his name. I like that. I doubt I would be where I am now if he didn't believe in me.
So Stu remains. Always. (Unless I get a new agent. Then it might be awkward.)
To get a copy of the novel “Chapel Street,” please contact Sheri Williams at TouchPoint Press: (her email address.)
To read my adaptation for the screen, just hit reply. It’s that easy.
A lot of politics in these two lines. I've never found myself in this position before.
Chapel Street is both a novel and a script. I want the producer to know that he/she can read one or the other or both. Ideally, I would like them to use my adaptation. However, I would be happy to sell the book rights alone on the proper terms. Also, I want them to realize that the publisher will have some input on the deal. And they have better lawyers than I do.
Thanks for your consideration,
(My contact information)
I am always genuinely thankful for any consideration. I don't think most screenwriters realize how many unsolicited pitches a producer gets every day. I count it a success if they read my entire query email. That's why I never bug producers who request my scripts. I trust them to read it in their own time, and, if they're interested, get back to me. I never send follow-up emails, unless someone else if making an actual offer for the script.
So there's my pitch. Hopefully, I won't have to use it!
I am an avid genealogist. The past is very important to me. I spend a lot of time in cemeteries photographing tombstones to upload on website the FindAGrave.
I enjoy recognizing long dead people by putting memorials to them online. However, every once and a while something grabs me about a specific grave. It could be the name, or the dates or a ceramic photo. In those cases, I feel compelled to dig a little deeper. That's what this series of blogs is about: The tales behind those graves. Some of my subjects will be heroes. Some will be villains. Some will be victims. And some will linger in between, like most of us. However, don't be surprised if the tales are inherently tragic. These are grave tales. They all end in death.
I didn't come just across the grave of Anthony Leroy Brown. I went searching for it. His father, Anthony Leroy Brown, Sr. (now also deceased), appeared briefly in my award-winning documentary Sacred Ground: The Battle for Mount Auburn Cemetery. He mentioned how his son Anthony, who was a very promising basketball star at Dunbar High School, was buried in the corner of Mount Auburn Cemetery. I knew who he was talking about. Although I was only eleven-years-old when his son died, I distinctly remember his murder. It was a terrible tragedy and all over the news. Below you will find some stories about his life and death.
The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 13 January 1972:
Tony Brown
Dunbar's Own Kareem
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Walls Fail To Hold Leaping Tony Brown
By Bob Ibach
The phone rang and Tony Brown's lazy voice was barely audible across the wires. "Hey man, you just caught me gettin' outta bed. Coach had us runnin' all afternoon at practice."
For Dunbar's talented 6-2 senior forward, life has been one chase after another and Brown is usually the one being chased. As a pre-teen, he led the neighborhood kids who ran through the local building projects at night. "Scaling those walls, that's where I got my jumping skills."
Recruiters Chasing
This spring, it will be the college recruiters turn to chase the Poets' leading scorer, averaging around 23 points a game for the Sunpapers No. 1 ranked (6-0) team. But for the present, he content to run circles around MSA opponents.
For his 187 pounds, mostly muscle, Brown is best along the baseline area, whether popping a 10-15 jumper, a follow-up shot or a twisting layup. He's virtually unstoppable underneath.
Brown, who recently turned 19, was brought along on the blacktops of Madison Square recreation center as a youth along with Barry Scroggins, Nate Barnett and Rodney Floyd. But it wasn't he was 12, quite late by today's standards, that he became interested in basketball.
Big Boys Played B-Ball
"I was playing softball one day and saw the big boys playing basketball," Brown, who once scored 75 points in a 15-and-under league summer game, remembers, "I never really played the game myself. The ball bounced over in my direction. I picked it up, shot it and it went in."
MSA foes wish he hadn't started. Even without Brown, Dunbar would be hard to stop. With Tony, well, forget it.
A Famous Cousin
Brown credits much of his early enthusiasm and roundball education to a former Dunbar graduate Charley Moore. "We used to go down to the gym in the evenings . . . Charley could jump to the moon. He played me tough one on one, sorta taught me what the game was all about."
Brown is the first cousin of Harvard star James Brown, a former DeMatha high great. "I didn't even know it until we played Fairmount Heights over in Washington three years ago."
"Kareem," as he's called by his teammates after his pro idol, Tony spends his summers working at Project Camp Concern in Bainbridge, instructing youngsters. "I figured I got help when I was young, now it's my turn to help someone else." He hopes to attend a basketball camp this summer to tune up his talents for college.
And where will college be for Mr. T? "I hope down at Lefty's place," says Brown, with a 78 (classroom) average in his favor. Maryland has shown quite an interest in Brown and with Driesell state-talent conscious, perhaps his wish will come true.
While awaiting upcoming showdowns with Northern and City, Brown remains Dunbar's unofficial ambassador with the school's front office.
"I have a lot of contacts here. The principal knows it and anytime there's a problem he comes to me. Is there a drug problem at Dunbar? Believe, me, there isn't. People assume there is because of the school's location."
The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 23 February 1972:
16-0 Record on the Road
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Dunbar Quint Makes History
By Bob Ibach
History was made yesterday among 125 lonely witnesses at City College. Yet years from now that crowd figure will swell, and with it tales of Dunbar's quint of traveling gypsies.
16 Wins--On The Road
"I don't think any high school team in our area ever won 16 road games. Perhaps you'll never see anything like it again."
A eulogy well stated. Dunbar may very well have closed one segment of the record book classified "Unbeatens." Yesterday the Poets' road show came to a successful halt, 16 games--all played on foreign sites.
"I'm just glad it's over," sighed Dunbar coach Sugar Cain, drained of almost all emotion as he sat by a now silent court, reviewing the last three months.
Just Another Title
"Back in December we never dreamed about finished 16-0. Winning 16 games is a tough job alone, but all of 'em on the road? That sounded a bit out of reach."
Yet Cain was not over ecstatic in praise. He's had six MSA champions counting this edition and some undefeated quints along the way, the last in 1964-1965. "I'd say the 1955-1957 team was a bit better. Maybe the 1958-1959 and 1959-1960 teams too."
For a while yesterday, it seemed the Black Knights would break the string. Jethro Crum and Jim Shannon authored a first half 38-37 lead before Cain cracked the whip.
"(James) Owens had trouble penetrating and we were just throwing the ball away in the first half," said Cain the dean of MSA coaches. "How can you win when you give the other team 25 chances?"
Tony Brown and Larry Gibson didn't give City many in the final 18 minutes. Brown, who scored a game-high 28 in his prep finale, popped home two buckets and Gibson another to project a five point Poet lead in the opening minutes of the third period. Freshman Gibson holed 10 of his 16 points in the quarter, ending with Dunbar four points ahead.
"That's when it happened," Parker moaned. "I must have died 1,000 deaths. We've had one bad quarter every game and it happened again. Dunbar was able to take advantage of our mistakes."
Suddenly--Laughter
With Brown, Gibson, Billy Snowden and Skip Wise all taking turns, Dunbar ran a 23-point string and suddenly a close game was a laughter. Ironically, it was a near carbon-copy of the first meeting won by Dunbar 83-64.
Snowden and Wise added 18 and 10 points for the winners, Crum (16) Lyles (17) and Shannon (16) pacing the Collegians.
Dunbar basketball will once again return home. And that's bad news.
"Sometimes you get the idea that they're just toying with you," said Parker. "I wonder how bad they'd beat you if they played 32 minutes of solid basketball. And now they'll be back home. Wow!"
The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland). 28 March 1972:
CAGE STAR TONY BROWN STABBED TO DEATH
Tony Brown, a 19-year-old Dunbar High School basketball star reputed to be the city's top player this year, was stabbed to death early today in a southeast Baltimore apartment.
Police later today charger Marjorie Jefferson, a 22-year-old telephone operator, of the 200 block Roberts street, with the murder, the 76th in the city in 1972. The homicide occurred in her apartment.
Police said the Brown youth was stabbed once in the chest at 4:57 A.M. after he and Miss Jefferson had had an argument. Police and Miss Jefferson's mother described the two young people as "just friends."
Homicide squad investigators recovered a butcher knife from the kitchen sink of the apartment.
The Brown youth had spent the night at the woman's apartment watching television, police said. They also said that no drugs or alcohol were found at the scene.
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 17 April 1972:
LATE TONY BROWN GETS ALL AMERICAN HONOR
By Bill Free
When Tony Brown poured in 28 points in the leading Dunbar to a 79-to-64 season-ending victory over rival City, Poet coach Sugar Cain proudly called him "Our Number 1 Mr. Prep All-American."
Yesterday, Coach and Athlete magazine confirmed Cain's predictions by named the late Poet star to its 1971-1972 High School All America team.
Brown, the driving force behind Dunbar's 16-0 record and top rating in the Sunpapers poll, was tabbed as one of the "Top 100" senior basketball players in the country.
Since there was no evidence of deliberation on the part of Margie L. Jefferson, the prosecution did not pursue first degree murder charges against her. During the trial, she claimed Tony attempted to rape her and she acted in self-defense. The prosecution argued that no attempted rape occurred. They attempted to prove instead that the two had argued and that she stabbed Tony as he attempted to leave the apartment. On 20 September 1972, Miss Jefferson was convicted of manslaughter with the possibility of a ten year prison sentence. A month later on 20 October 1972, she was given a five-year suspended sentence, and placed on probation for four years. Judge William J. O'Donnell said incarceration would serve no purpose. The fact that she retained her job during the trial proved she did not need to be rehabilitated, and that sending her to jail would not deter other murderers....
I hate to editorialize, but the jury obviously did not believe the attempted rape story. If they believed she acted in self-defense, they would have found her not guilty. But then the judge essentially decides to let her go?.... I don't get it.
Tony has not been forgotten. For years, only a simple cross stood over his grave in Mount Auburn Cemetery. In June 2015, over forty years after his death, some of his old friends and teammates raised money to place a stone monument on his grave.
Sadly, the caretakers of Mount Auburn cemetery haven't made a similar commitment. Although his grave itself is relatively clear of debris, I had to walk through chest-high grass and weeds in order to find it. But it was worth the trip.
Remember, there is a story behind every grave. You never know what you're missing when you walk past one....
My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble. Chapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting.
