Nov 14, 2008 11:12 pm US/Eastern
2 Men Arrested In Ken Harris' Murder
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of former City Councilman Ken Harris.
CBS
Nearly two months after former councilman Ken Harris was gunned down, two suspects are now behind bars.
Dennis Edwards reports police say they still need the public's help in the search for one or more additional suspects. But for the time being, Friday's arrests have silenced criticism of a two-month investigation.
Police announced at a news conference Friday morning a warrant was issued for Charles McGaney. Just an hour later, they arrested him in Baltimore City. Police say a second man, 20-year-old Gary Collins, was arrested at the same time, but has not been charged yet.
Investigators believe they are the men on surveillance video obtained from the crime scene.
"I stand here on behalf of the Harris family when I say that I want justice to prevail," said Annette Harris, victim's widow.
McGaney yelled his claim to innocence just before Collins spat at reporters in response to the same question of his guilt in the murder of Ken Harris.
Both men are on the way to Central Booking on murder and armed robbery charges, but the search for suspects isn't over.
"Right now we're going to say we're looking for multiples possibly," said Troy Harris, Baltimore City Police spokesperson.
Harris was gunned down outside The Haven, a jazz club near Morgan State University. Owner Keith Covington was with Harris the night he died.
"Today we can all start to reclaim a bit of our lives and start to rebuild," said Covington.
"They will have to pay, and we have to send the kind of message, particularly to our young people, that this is unacceptable and this is something that they are not gonna get away with," said Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Police canvassed the neighborhood where Harris was murdered on Sept. 20.
"My husband was a true champion for justice. He understood the meaning of community and people working together," said Annette.
"It's really tragic that for a man that spent so much time actually fighting and working against crime and fighting and working for youth to be a victim of the same," said Covington.
Investigators say DNA evidence was key in the arrest of McGaney at his home just a few blocks away from the murder scene.
The DNA came from saliva inside a mask worn by each of the suspects. It matched McGaney's profile in state DNA databases that also catalog his long criminal record.
In August, McGaney pleaded guilty to firearms possession. Collins is waiting to be tried on drug dealing and gun charges.
Covington and a host of friends returned to celebrate the arrests while missing a good friend.
"And if they are guilty, I would like for them to get a rather stiff sentence," said Charles Faison, Haven Lounge.
Ken Harris served on the Baltimore City Council for eight years. He also ran for City Council president.
City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released a statement about the developments.
"On behalf of the entire City Council, we are relieved and thankful that the Baltimore Police Department has identified a suspect in the murder of our former colleague City Councilman Kenneth N. Harris. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect, please contact police immediately. Police must have the continued cooperation of the community in order to move this case forward. Ken Harris was a wonderful public servant who always put the interests of his constituents first. With the identification of a suspect I'm now more confident than ever that those responsible for this senseless killing will be brought to justice."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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