thompson caridad we just talked to the little boy's grandmother a few minutes ago. -- in the death of javon thompson. webw!p just talk to the little's h]>> it was dumb. it was stupid. it was ignorant. that you could do that to a littlebwy> baby. >> a grandmother's opinion, which both sides of this case apparently agree on. it turned up in closing the state. the three defendants are accused of starting 1-year-old javon thompson to death because he would not say amen, and then hiding his remains in a suitcase. it's williams told the jury, i do not know how anyone could witness what happened and not do anything about it. well, the prosecutors said, this is actually our argument.

this is very cruel, and we all agree on that, so why did they not step forward and do anything about it? the defendants said the state's case did not make any sense. everything contradicts everything said marcus cobbs. but for prosecutors it was just common sense. if you do not feed a child, that child is going to die. and because of the communal nature of the household, the defendants were all responsible for taking care of javon thompson instead spent days walking past that playpen, seeing him wasting away and none p @ that no one3 else was going to be there. >> the judge to thank thed'=b y for working so hard on what he called such a difficult case.

he then orderedmmedical re- evaluation is for the three defendants. these three defendants face a maximum of 60 years in prison each. as for javon thompson's mother, she pled guilty to other charges in connection with the boy's death. she will undergo intensive inpatient therapy. a time line has not been set yet for to be ripped least into that program. wherever she goes, it will take a very long time for her to get her life back. what police believe was attemvkhñhác robbery, has died. just before 8:00 yesterday rç3 porter multiple times at his gas station in tauzin. -- in towson. the shooter got away.

>> lobbying for tougher of getting legislation at the capitol today. the call began legislation act of 2007 worthless and its fails to -- and it feels to define what gangcgfñ membership is. >> reporters a this is a duel for. >> we have law-enforcement from all over the state of maryland. >> prosecutors from the whole region put their full weight behind a gain bill that defines what gain membership actually those convicted. they conferred with colleagues in other states. >> we ask them with the most vital piece of that particular route legislation was and they all without fail indicated enhanced penalty. >> house bill 756 is a rewrite of the legislation passed in 2007, making it easier to

prosecuting gang activity. but then at the language was changed, making it useless. since then it was only used once. in hartford county, prosecutors found the lot impossible to enforce. >> we ended up dropping the gain charges and focusing on other criminal charges. it would make other -- it with little other day activities such as meaning, rape and murder. it wouldcd time on top of the crime already committed. >> you've got a conviction of the murder or whatever the crime is and then the statute comes into effect. but if we do not act, we will wake up and find that kings have overrun our country. -- gangs have 5.j285nover run or country.

>> it is not as effective as rabout-n47 today and it could l harm to our youth and will exacerbate the gang problem that we are trying to solve. that it will lead to changes. it is the same committee that gutted the bill in 2007. >> we are keeping a close eye on a weather system that is headed our wayñk[. let's check in with tom tasselmyer. >> we are seeing a mixed bagvé f precipitation. a warm up in the afternoon getting temperatures well above freezing and it may take a while for more snow to mix in, but you can see this covers most of western maryland.

snow is redeveloping along interstate 68 and interstate 70. of this developing as another coastal storm organizes around georgia. au;wçit is expected to make the familiar round of the eastern seaboard and passmux carolina ad our way. it is going to get a slightly stronger as it comes our way. it will be a strong coastal storm with the wind and rain associated. more on the details, coming up. >> you can personalize the forecast using our interactive radar. go to our website wbaltv.com. >> it now pays to volunteer in one of baltimore city schools if you work for.: johns hopkins university. the school is giving its full

time employees real incentives to sign up. it sounds like a great deal. do they]xáí actually track the e you volunteer? >> there is no catch. the volunteer and you get time off, up to two paid leave days per year. it is all part of the employee'' benefit package. >> students at berkeley in a month treat middle school -- elementary and middle school listened to parents and the president and ceo of johns hopkins university. they showed up to kickoff a new program called take time for schools. a;>vthey hope tob> we want to harness the diverse talents of johns hopkins greatest resource, ourózm' peop, to make a substantial"9n

difference to the schools. ñolf>> it means we get moreq&hd that means we get more learning. mfthey can get help from the schls and teachers are around here. >> it will improve not only things at school, but at home and throughout the community. >> right now you have an >> they're hoping to make the volunteer program hassle-free. >> we can match your talents with some of the needs of the schools. >> but it is not limited to the classroom. the volunteers can also share their management and administrative skills with the staff and hope to improve school buildings. 'm)>> to find out how you can hp out as well, welcome to our

websites wbaltv.com and click on education. >> there was some good news from the u.s. auto industry today. new membersv7m --]rñ new numberw an upward track for the first time in a decade. but not all the good news -- not all the news is good. congress continues to question toyota about its accelerators. >> on a day when the numbers was good --,híw were good, the news, again, was not. lawmakers continue to press toyota over problems with sticking accelerators, again questioning executives from the auto maker today. and at one point, during a heated discussion, telling ravenwood he is now charged with cleaning it up. -- rhey lahood he is now charged with cleaning it up.

apparently is getting worse, toyota recalling another &f;mpotentially leaky will hose. ?níñiwoñthey say it is a maintee issue and not a safety problem. gm also recalling more than 1 million compact cars because of a power steering problem. the u.s. models affected arehi3e 2005-2010 kobold and the#o 20- 10-g5. cm-- pontiac g-5. hund it was up 23%, gm 11.5%, and chrysler, up 7.5%. >>(hába disaster continues for a on the heels of all the bad publicity. sales dropped 8.7%.

dealers have announced a new buyer incentive program. >> they are trying to protect their turf, but longer-term, they will have issues. to announce a new round of rebates and 0% financing as well. xwcc>> and we have continuing coverage on this latest round of recalls. ands others, go to our website wbaltv.com and click on automotive. >> someh@ú doctors from the university of maryland medical center are finally back at, after helping in haiti. >> and a surgeon -- a texas teen was saved by her friends and a surgeon that saved her from being an mp team. é4áé-- an amputee.

♪ [ male announcer ] ready to make this year a great year for your small business? ♪ verizon is here to help with everything you need to make the most of every dollar -- and every opportunity. you'll get high speed internet with a dedicated line to your business for consistently fast speeds; free wi-fi access from thousands of hot spots nationwide; plus unlimited calling to customers and suppliers across the country. call right now and we'll include two free extras for an entire year: our advanced internet security suite, plus 25 gigs of online storage, enough to safeguard all your important business files. it's a total business solution backed by the reliability of the verizon network, all for just $84.99 a month for 12 months.

and you can't get it from cable. let's get to work. verizon wants to help your business succeed, starting with everything you need for just $84.99 a month. call 1-866-my-tools. call the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v. >> doctors from the university of medical center in maryland2ñ- university of maryland medical center are back from haiti0!@zd are sharing their experience. j0:>> the physicians there have lost family, colleagues, and they are trying",gñ to reach ene in their professional lives and we need to help them.

: of a 12-hour event at the campus hospital. >fñthere will be raising more my to support the medical relief efforts. texas teenager was almost killed in a horrific boating accident. no;÷even as she survived, it appeared that she'v]sñ would lor right arm, but cook reaction from a friend and a dallas surgeon helps to perform a miracle cure icís. >>eí!v 19-year-old kristen seemo have it all. she is bright, beautiful, and an po'but a fishingebm trip withas po'but ñ life.ngebm trip withas >>ñ;íw this iskg th we weree scar. just having a nol morning.

forwardpcñ÷ and -- ÷>> kristank >> -- kristen said the boat back over her in the water. said a prayer and just went through it carried not q>b be graphic, but it just shocked me up into pieces. i just could not believe.a i was going to die at age 18. >>v6kyé=y severedwyco her arm at completely. this is an x-ray taken hours later. >> my arm was barely hanging on in that jacket. >> a nursing studen@!- was on te boat. she called 911, requests a day care flight helicopter, and made  makeshift tourniquets. -- requested a care flight tourniquets. /ik]>> i knew we needed to get4r to the hospital. .7÷>> she said that christian wa

saint. hours(i later, she was at the?tc -- u t southwestern medical center in dallas in hands of joseph perella, the chief of orthopedic surgery. x/ey>> of the prope,a4%rp" gone through skin, tendons,núá muscl, bones. >> mu

btp>> she is a lucky young woma. after years of being on the study finds estudy finds mong teenagers. the use ofa"ñm ecstasy rose fr% in 2008 to 10% in 2009, and our from nearly 30% to 40% in time. the survey is based-@é on pares l age -- of parents of high school age children said their children had%cbk tried alcohol orvx8 dd they did not address the use at all. researchers in finland found kids exposed to large amounts of secondhand smoke had damage to their blood vessels by the age of 13. teen-agers with the greatest exposure at the greatest thickening of the blood vessel walls, which leads to the greater chance of pardoning of

the arteries and other heart diseases. -- a chance of hare arteries and other heart diseases. >> and now, your 11 insta- weather plus forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> and here comes another storm, the first one of march with a mixture of rain, sleet, and snow and it looks like it will be with us through tomorrow. warmer temperatures through the -- warmer temperatures keep accumulation down, but it will accumulate more as it cools off. the further south and east, more rain. down to our south there are also parts with this note in virginia. -- with snow in virginia. this storm is sitting over the

coast of georgia at this hour and it will continue up through savannah and the coast tonight and move away over the mid- atlantic tomorrow. 42 degrees at the airport today, 43 degrees at the inner harbor. the normal record high is 48 degrees. for the next five to six days of temperatures will be cooler than normal. 30 right now, but -- 30's right now, but above freezing. i think we will get through the evening without any major problems. in western maryland, it is below freezing and the snow problems will start over again tonight. a 10 to 20 m.p.h. dwane to developing overnight. -- a 10 to 20 mile per hour wind developing overnight.

we have seen this weather pattern several times in the past three months or so with the storms developing over the goat -- over the coast and going out over the a atlantic. winter storm warnings and advisories are posted. the wind is increasing now. out of the northeast and gusting to 30 miles per hour. we are already seeing this storm strengthened. we will probably break up to some[zo rain in south of baltim. the slower than normal wednesday morning commute you can see this line during all the way from the coast into the afternoon tomorrow. friday, we should see some sun break into the cloud cover. of 35 to 40 tomorrow.

it will be a struggle to the 40. 20 to 30 mile per hour winds. the wet snow in the area. mountainous regions of virginia or the higher elevations, especially north of baltimore in the colder areas could have one to 2 inches. moseley's know, a 29 year deep creek tomorrow. -- mostlyá55j snow, 29 near dep creek tomorrow. but at 43 degrees to might should not be a major problem down at ocean city. saturday. a few more clouds on sunday. we should be in the low 50's at the start of next week. >> secretary of state clinton arrives in chile, satellite phone in hand.

>> and residents there express their anger over the government's slow response to the disaster.

>> in tonight's project economy report, a republican senator is continuing his single-handed protest against the bill he says he is not paying for. >> he says -- at the top republican has stepped in saying that his protest is hurting. >> kentucky senator jim bunning k[7 refused to stop his one-man blockade of be spent in the bill. for a second day, highway funds frozen, thousands of transportation workers without pay, and nearly 4000 people close to losing unemployment >> the question i've been asking mostly is, why now? well, why not now?

>> this public spectacle is not helping republicans. susan collins became the first gop lawmaker to publicly ask him to back down. >> on behalf of the numerous members of the republican caucus that have expressed concern to me -- >> democrats are trying to score points without appearing to be too political. >> the majority of the senate disagrees with you. >> is there an objection? >> there is, i object. >> objection is heard. >> both parties are trying to find a compromise that close -- that satisfy senator bunning. >> still to come, a massive fire destroys a dallas strip mall, keeping firefighters busy for hours. >> the cat in nat is reading to

students at school and you know it has to be doctors use today. reading events are happening all over our area. >> and a

>> a trash truck driver's mistake cost eight baltimore family their home. what happens now? we told you about this first saturday night. a city trash truck was trying to go over a 6 foot pile of snow. >> the city's investigation into this continues tonight.

the people who had been living in the house is there -- are very dissatisfied with how the city has been handling this so far. >> this is how the home of thomas has rented for 10 years it looks today, and this was the scene on friday after a city trash truck somehow try to draw out -- dried up and over this massive snow pile rather than driving around the block to find an open street. it took almost all of the front of the house clean off. p(zñç>> he did not even so muchs apologize. >> the owner of the home was baffled by it all. >> why would a person tried to drive over this? don't you think that is a bit silly? >> it does not look possible. >> someone told me that he made one attempt to get across and did not make it. he just used it like a raming right and kept going until he

pushed his way through. -- like a raming rod and kept going until he pushed his way through. >> the city is investigating the driver and his decision and with their home inedible ball -- uninhabitable, they paid to put them up. but when the wife asked what she should do for transportation, this is what she was told. >> they told them to give them some bus tokens. >> he said his wife works in cockboat and is grandson goes to school a few hundred yards from home. the meeting today did not go well. >> he told me that i was not going to come in there and tell them what i wanted. >> what did you want? >> what i wanted was to be back in the city to give back and forth to work and school.

>> city housing officials tell us they are doing the best they can with this. it they contacted the mayor's -- we contacted tídsñ what mayor's office tonight to find out if it is good enough. no word yet. >> finally, the snow has melted @9zxthe trash recycling can rese their pickup. ñ;h>> meanwhile, would you belie more snow is headed our way? >> we have a rain and snow coming our way and some strong, just to the north of savannah and coming of the mid-atlantic coast, as it encounters cold air overnight, it looks like some snow is already trying to mix in.

there could be some slick spots developing overnight. this does have the potential to produce a couple&p-r of inchesf wet snow as it comes through. another powerful storm on the coast, similar to the winter storms we have been dealing with, but slightly warmer temperatures associated. >> keep in mind you can personalize the forecast using our interactive radar. it allows you to track the rathe-- the weather right down o your own street. >> the owner of the towson gas station that was shot several times during an apparent robbery attempt has died. william raymond porter was shocked at the hess station early yesterday morning. he was taken to shock trauma where he died of his injuries this morning.

and a guilty verdictghoñ for the alleged cult members accused of starving to death a young one- year-old boy. they were all found guilty late this afternoon on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. the jury deliberated for several hours. javon thompson was denied food and water because he would not say a man after meals. -- amen after meals. oan incredible scene yesterday n gaithersburg where a plane ran off the runway and crashed in the woods. dozens of gallons of gasoline leak out. thankfully, the private is ok. >> secretary of state clinton never arrived in santiago today to offer materials and moral support. >> secretary clinton has come here to show u.s. support for

the chileans in this time of crisis. they initially declined any assistance, but change their minds after seeing the scope of the disaster. search and rescue teams are standing by in the u.s. in case they are needed. >> one reason they have asked me to continue my trip is to assess what ever else they might need an immediate the begin the process of providing it -- immediately begin the process of providing it. >> there are problems with the distribution of aid and also security, particularly in south of the capital appeared. -- of the capital. residents there are complaining loudly about the slow pace of

eight getting there. -- of the beginning there. 10,000 troops have been sent there. the government here is promising to speed up the aid response as it works on security. >> coming up, cotton balls thrown on the ground at the black culture center in the university of missouri. the reaction from there tonight. >> and today, a judge makes a decision on a mother's appeal for a new trial after she was convicted of drowning her two sons. >$oga>> we take a behind-the-ss

boss: so word's gettin' out that geico customers could save even more on their car insurance by signing up for other things - like homeowner's or renter's insurance. nice work, everyone. exec: well, it's easy for him. he's a cute little lizard. gecko: ah, gecko, actually - exec: with all due respect, if i was tiny and green and had a british accent i'd have more folks paying attention to me too... i mean - (faux english accent) "save money! pip pip cheerio!" exec 2: british? i thought you were australian. gecko: well, it's funny you should ask. 'cause actually, i'm from -

anncr: geico. save even more with our new multi-policy discount. and you'll dump your old broom. but don't worry, he'll find someone else. ♪ who's that lady? ♪ who's that lady? ♪ sexy lady ♪ who's that lady? [ female announcer ] swiffer sweeper's electrostatic dry cloths attract and lock dirt, dust, and hair on contact to clean 50% more than a broom. it's a difference you can feel. swiffer gives cleaning a whole new meaning. ♪ >> firefighters in texas had their hands full in dallas paddling a massive blaze.

all of the shops -- battling a massive blaze. all of the shops were closed at the time. one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation, but he will be ok. investigators are of looking into what sparked the blaze. five people are under arrest for the murders of a wisconsin woman and two children drifty!ñ their bodies were discovered after someone found their bodies in a house that had been on fire. a 19-year-old who lets living with the family was also -- who was living with the family was also found there. the five people are related to the 19-year-old, but have not revealed how. >> susan smith told law- enforcement officials that her two boys were kidnapped during a carjacking and later in -- later

confessed to putting them into their car seats and win them into a south carolina lake. she has since said that spousal abuse was not allowed to be brought up at trial. cotton balls were found strewn across the front lawn of a black culture center. students took a picture. some believe it is a reference to cotton plantations and the slavery that made them possible. there was a town hall meeting following that incident. >> this event brings to light what is really out there. balad of you know it is out there. ijn - a lot of you know it is out there. but a lot of you folks are in denial, you do not want to think about it. >> nearly 20 people spoke at the town hall meeting that lasted more than two hours about how to move forward. >> still to come, several products at the supermarket are on the recall list.

it collects the postmaster general wants to cut mail delivery to what -- cut mail delivery one day a week to save that. >> coming up, doctors tuesday -- dr. seuss day is a celebration across america. arenow, starting to back down into the 30's and the

>> yurista we're working on for 11 news at 6:00 -- here is what we're working on for 11 news at 6:00. exxon mobile does not have to monitor their wells after their major oil spill years ago also, health insurance benefits will not be extended for the not be extended for the

- friend: yeah? car owner: and this is what he had in my budget. friend: oh well, the top is down! car owner: the top is gone! friend: yeah, there's lot's of head-room! car owner: tons of head-room! careful! friend: ow! car owner: that's sharp. friend: cheese! car owner: yeah. sorry. carmax spokesperson: settling for less is not smart. what is smart is getting more car for your money at carmax. guaranteed quality used cars can cost a lot less than new cars, so you can get more car for less money by shopping at carmax. now more than ever the smart choice is carmax. the way car buying should be. get selsun blue for itchy dry scalp.

strong itch-fighters target scalp itch while 5 moisturizers leave hair healthy. selsun blue. got a clue? get the blue. cuts if the elementary school student in your life came home talking about -- >> is the xdent in your life came home talking about the cat in the hat or green eggs and ham, that is because it is dr. seuss day. >> who better to greet students at baltimore county pine wood and not -- elementary school and the cat in the act? it is all part of dr. seuss' birthday celebration that includes learning fun facts about the author. >> he was challenged to create a book. >> cents a that became the cat in the half.

-- some say that became the cat in the hat. their patterns are the same and they repeat over and over. it is easy fors@#l children to recognize the words. the children just love them cured the >> and -- just love them. >> and they have cool hats. >> they sure do. am. -- sam i am. >> i want to try something new and might like it. >> herein mrs. baker's kindergarten class, the students are getting read to by fourth graders.

>> it is very important to practice those skills. >> when you read it, you can be treated in your mind. -- a picture in your mind. >> and isn't that a wonderful thing? > >> and now, your 11 insta- weather plus forecast with chief meteorologist tom tasselmyer. >> still along the georgia coast and headed this way it will make the familiar turn off the mid- atlantic coast to iraq and right now, this store shows signs of strength in -- coast to moral and right now,nzij storm of shows signs of strengthening. it is pushing up into parts of southwestern virginia. already we're seeing snow here. wet snow with temperatures hovering at about freezing overnight.

it is just like the storm event of the winter. it is not quite as gold near the ground as it was a couple months ago 39 in brookeville, 39 in pipes built and 39 in randolph lil. -- randall town. temperatures are running in the upper 30's in the area and that helps with evening rush hour. tonight, a rain and snow mix becoming more snow as we get into the morning. crgpzas long as these temperatus

stay at or above freezing, we will miss most of the impact of this current winter storm. that system is already producing strong northeast winds, gusting to 36 miles per hour. maybe even a bit of sleet mixed in for the morning rush hour. it will probably slow things down a little bit. fraflurries winding down as we d into thursday morning. and slowly but surely, temperatures are going to try to warm up. for the weekend, back closer to normal. 20 to 30 mile per hour winds. ruled out in most areas, with

two to 4 inches in the colder areas to the north or west. and even into the higher hills of carol and frederick county. tomorrow, below freezing in the morning, so accumulating snows are likely in western maryland. the rain and snow mix change is to smell tomorrow. -- changes to snow tomorrow. 50 is normal for this stretch. the we are chili tomorrow and way below normal on thursday and friday -- we are called tomorrow and we below normal on thursday and friday. the up into the 50's for monday and tuesday. >> some products may be contaminated with salmonella. they did voluntary recalls credit both products are sold at a giant stores. right now, no reports of many

illnesses. the pizzey coats and dates are listed on our website act wbaltv.com. -- the u p c codes and dates are listed on our website at wbaltv.com. v>the agencies expect hough -- the agencies expect to be $7 billion in the red. >> you'll get your mail, but only five days a week. delivery may and on tuesdays or saturdays to avoid price hikes

and layoffs. >> we need to reinvent, redefine, and reinvigorate the value of business in households. i>> e-mail and online billing, big companies told postal consultants -- >> we are going to get rid of the bills and invoices in our system in the next three years, 100% gone. >> but male is still a big business for direct marketers. -- of the male is still a big business for direct marketers. -- mail is still a big business for direct marketers. >> the postmaster is asking congress for the okay to move services to pharmacies and course restores. >> at a lowerzki]ñ cost and proe the blacks as seven days a week. >> what they are doing -- provide people access seven days a week.

>> what they're doing right now suits me. >> the postmaster wants to present the five-day a week delivery plan to the postal commission next week. >> in tonight's consumer!2kj alt via mariann bannister. >> help is still coming in for those in need in haiti, and there are still plenty need there. hundreds of new engine used wheelchairs, walkers and canes were dropped off -- and a gently used wheelchairs, walkersmf and gains were dropped off for distribution. but still ahead, some baltimore county residents fear their drinking water could be contaminated. new at 6:00, when a decision made by the state department has some neighbors up in arms. >> and some nurses give shots, but a new but a new

>> when you hear the words mercy hospital, you probably think of mercy medical center in downtown, but there's another one that nbc wants you to become familiar with, "mercy" the medical drama. we got a chance to check it out. >> 3 nurses take the center stage, the show is seen to their eyes. yet and downs of the career and romance. michelle trachtenberg says that the shows a female perspective is what makes the show different. >> obviously women tended to be

more emotional than men -- tend to be more abortions -- more emotional than men. they tended to be more rounded as well. you will deal with a lot of different peaks, which will be interesting for the audience. >> "mercy" is new to line up, i got a chance to go behind the scenes in new jersey. this building used to be a pharmaceutical warehouse, not too hard to imagine, but come through these doors and it is a hospital. the newest member of the cast is james vanderbeek, who said the jump at the chance. >> a great show that is really well written, characters are very well drawn. they offered me a chance to play this cocky, brash, arrogant

and brilliant person that stirs things up and steps on people's toes. a really complex, complicated character. >> "mercy" airs wednesday at 8:00 p.m. here on nbc. >> tomorrow's episode involves a horrific bus bombing that leaves the hospital searching for space for the victims. "the biggest loser" post, allison sweeney, is a co-star. here is a look at what is coming up for you at 6:00. >> county residents are concerned over contaminated wells. they get a surprising response. that story is coming up. >> on capitol hill, work in the senate brines to a halt thanks to senator who says he is making a point. >> guilty on all counts, we have

the verdict and the reaction to the murder trial of three alleged adult members. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> residents are appealing the ruling. the state says that their water wells do not need further monitoring. back in 2006 a pipe burst, of in jacksonville. >> thousands of gallons of gasoline leaked into the ground water. exxon mobil has been monitoring the groundswells. the department of the environment asked if they could stop those efforts and the state said yes, now the residents are not happy. >> exxon mobil has ended the free bottled water delivery to the homes here in jacksonville. some of the contaminated -- some of the families still no