Men get probation for not stopping attack

Two men received probation for doing nothing to stop an unprovoked attack two years ago on a longtime Baltimore journalist. Carl Schoettler, now 75, suffered severe head injuries in the beating, including permanent memory loss that forced him to retire from his job as a feature writer for The Sun.

Schoettler had been involved in a minor car accident in February 2006 with Gregory G. Kulla near Baltimore City Hall. They were arguing about who was at fault when Phillip G. Carter, then 18, punched Schoettler in the head from behind, then stomped on him. Carter pleaded guilty last year to two assault charges and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Latar C. Bradshaw encouraged Carter after the attack to go through Schoettler’s pockets. Kulla gave Carter and Bradshaw a ride from the scene, prosecutors said.

Baltimore Circuit Judge John M. Glynn called the case “morally shocking,” On April 30 he gave Bradshaw, 24, a 20-year suspended sentence and three years of probation for first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit robbery. Kulla, 38, got probation before judgment for second-degree assault and conspiracy after the fact.

—The Associated Press