Man confesses to NW slaying

D.C. police last night charged a man with felony murder in the mugging and slaying of retired New York Times journalist David E. Rosenbaum.

Michael Hamlin, 23, of Southeast, inadvertently turned himself in at the 7th District station at about 6 p.m. when he visited the precinct to find out why his face was being shown on TV news, police said.

“He came into the station, gave his name and said, ‘Why is my face on the news tonight?’” said Detective Tony Pace, the lead detective in the case. “He was arrested, we brought him to the Violent Crimes Division, and he confessed.”

An hour before Mr. Hamlin arrived at the police station near his home, surveillance video showing a man using a credit card stolen from Mr. Rosenbaum during the attack was aired on local television stations.

Detectives said that after being questioned about the use of the credit card, Mr. Hamlin confessed to attacking and robbing Mr. Rosenbaum.

The suspect was photographed at several businesses where Mr. Rosenbaum’s stolen credit cards were used or attempted to be used, police said.

Police were surprised at how quickly Mr. Hamlin was found yesterday evening.

“I’m actually shocked,” said Capt. C.V. Morris, head of the Violent Crimes Division. “But I’m glad that it happened this way.”

Mr. Hamlin, a maintenance worker, was wearing the same uniform when arrested as he was in in at least one of the surveillance videos, police said.

Police said one other person is wanted in connection with the attack but did not give details.

Mr. Rosenbaum, 63, was found shortly after 9 p.m. last Friday, lying on the sidewalk in the 3800 block of Gramercy Street Northwest after leaving his home for a walk. He died Sunday at Howard University Hospital from blunt force trauma to the head, neck and body, police said.

Police did not say what type of weapon was used in the attack but did say Mr. Hamlin would lead them to it.

One of Mr. Rosenbaum’s credit cards was used at 9:18 p.m. last Friday at a Northwest gas station, minutes after he was attacked from behind and his wallet stolen, police said.

The cards were used at least two more times that night in different areas of the District, including a CVS store at 2646 Naylor Road SE, police said.

The cards were used four more times before Sunday night, when attempts to charge the cards ceased, Capt. Morris said earlier yesterday.

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