Should Have Let Him Bleed Out

[Pedro56]

Man stabs self 20-30 times
Alleged gangster knifed himself as cops closed in

November 4, 2006

BY STEFANO ESPOSITO Staff Reporter

A top Chicago gangster linked to a bloody gang war is near death after he stabbed himself 20 to 30 times just as police were about to arrest him this week, authorities said.

Cook County prosecutors said Friday that Lamell "Slim" Burns -- a reputed leader in the New Breed gang -- remains in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.

Also Friday, Cook County Judge Maura Slattery Boyle ordered Burns and another alleged leader in the New Breed, Melvin "Ben Ben" Martin, held without bail in connection with a planned hit of a rival gang member that police foiled Oct. 31 at a Humboldt Park intersection. The incident ended with officers shooting to death two of the would-be hit men.

Prosecutors say Martin and Burns orchestrated the planned hit, using cell phones to direct their underlings to the target, a member of the Traveling Vice Lords. Burns and Martin were arrested at separate locations a day after the shootings.

Martin was arrested without incident near his home in Riverside, prosecutors say. Martin, 30, appeared briefly in court Friday, and his attorneys described him as a father of two.


Police use stun gun

Prosecutors say police were trying to arrest Burns, 29, in the 1700 block of North Lockwood when he fled and ran into an empty first-floor apartment.
"As [police] were attempting to place the offender in custody, he began stabbing himself with a knife," according to a Chicago Police arrest report. "A [stun gun] was deployed by [police] to prevent further injury or death and officers were able to gain control of the offender."

Investigators say the on-going gang war between the Traveling Vice Lords and the New Breed has claimed the lives of at least 19 gang members this year.

sesposito@suntimes.com

[kay88]

That's horrible. I mean this is the basic plot of West Side Story to the tenth degree. All the talk about a "planned hit" and that 19 gang members have been killed just makes you think about how little another's life is valued to them. Sad.

[Pedro56]

That's horrible. I mean this is the basic plot of West Side Story to the tenth degree. All the talk about a "planned hit" and that 19 gang members have been killed just makes you think about how little another's life is valued to them. Sad.

They are killing other gang bangers, as far as I'm concerned they were doing the City a favor. What if the police were there to give him an award and not arrest him?

[Ducky]

I vote that all the gang members get rounded up and stuffed into a small, locked space together. Give them a week to do what they want, then turn on the sprinkler system to wash everything down the drain. It'll probably take an industrial size garbage disposal unit to keep it from backing up. Vent the place through DHEC approved environmental charcoal-enhanced filters. Add some soap, repeat. Then reopen for the next batch.

[Just KC]

I like the way Ducky thinks

[Lazy Fed]

Shoulda just let him keep stabbing himself IMHO

[General Patten]

20-30 times... ouch...

[10-42Adam]

I vote that all the gang members get rounded up and stuffed into a small, locked space together. Give them a week to do what they want, then turn on the sprinkler system to wash everything down the drain. It'll probably take an industrial size garbage disposal unit to keep it from backing up. Vent the place through DHEC approved environmental charcoal-enhanced filters. Add some soap, repeat. Then reopen for the next batch.

Wow...you have really thought that idea out!!

[Piggybank Cop]

Shoulda just let him keep stabbing himself IMHO

I wonder if he’s going to sue the cops for infringing on his civil liberties for Taseing him before he was done with his little demonstration of his right to express himself?