Crime statistic blunder

Data entered for wrong year

Despite receiving "bad" information about the city's crime statistics, Mayor Rendell nonetheless argued the city is making progress on its crime problem. Earlier in the week, the >Philadelphia Daily News> revealed the city's 1996 crime statistics contained crimes that occurred in 1995, but weren't entered into the computer system until last year. During a Sept. 2 hearing on public safety, Rendell hawked the numbers claiming they showed a 17 percent drop in crime from June 1996 to June 1997. But nearly 45 percent of the 1996 crimes reported occurred in 1995. That gave the impression of sizable drop in crime in 1997. Rendell denied it was an attempt to "cook the books."

Fugitive deJesus nabbed in Frankford

Charged in three killings

Jose deJesus, 18, wanted since June on multiple murder charges, was arrested at a relative's house on the 1500 block of Ruan St. DeJesus surrendered when police, acting on a tip, called him on his cellular phone. DeJesus answered and gave his name. DeJesus was wanted for a June shooting on the 2900 block of Palethorp St. that killed Carlos Martinez, 26, and wounded two others, including a two-year-old. He was also charged in the killings of Lisa Carrasquillo, 18, who was pregnant at the time, and Felix Varcas. They were shot while talking near an ice cream truck at Franklin St. and Indiana Ave. Though Carrasquillo was killed almost instantly, her unborn child was delivered at Temple University Hospital.

Rose guilty in Calida killing

Avoids death sentence

Timothy Rose pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the brutal killing of Calma Calida, the 49-year-old Olney nurse whose body was found dumped in Tacony Creek. Calida, a nurse at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center, was kidnapped on her way to work, raped, and beaten with a rock. Yusef Whitehead, Rose's alleged accomplice, is awaiting trial. By pleading guilty, Rose avoided the death penalty. He'll be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Lynne gets FOP nod

McMahon gets banned

District Attorney Lynne Abraham picked up the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) in her bid for re- election. Abraham is a supporter of the death penalty. Her Republican rival, Jack McMahon, wasn't allowed to address the group. FOP members voted three-to-one to ban McMahon from the lodge due to his work defending high-profile homicide defendants.

Summerdale club taken for a ride

Promoter fails to deliver

The Summerdale Boys & Girls Club is accusing local promoter Paul Toren with failing to deliver $10,000 he promised from a fundraising carnival in June. The money was to help support the club's sports programs. Carnival owner Paul Reithoffer gave Toren $29,867-- which included $19,867 for Toren and $10,000 for the club. But Toren claimed the $29,867 failed to cover his expenses and the club should never have been promised $10,000.

Midge is in

Wins U.S. Senate confirmation

Marjorie "Midge" Rendell, a U.S. District Court judge for three years and wife of Mayor Ed Rendell, was confirmed for a seat on the federal bench by a U.S. Senate voice vote. What made this unusual is conservative Republicans have slowed the confirmation process over the liberal leanings of President Clinton's judicial appointments. U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter intervened on Rendell's behalf. Rendell will sit on the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.