Friday, October 01, 1999
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Indictment says baby's death was murder
A West End man will face a possible death sentence when he goes to trial on charges that he murdered his 2-month-old son.
Kenneth Hughes, 27, was indicted Thursday on charges of aggravated murder, murder and felonious assault in the Sept. 23 death of his son, Joshua.
Prosecutors say Mr. Hughes punched and shook the baby, causing head injuries, while he was bathing the infant.
The child's mother called 911 at 2:15 a.m. after Joshua stopped breathing.
Under Ohio law, a conviction on aggravated murder charges could result in a death sentence because the victim was under the age of 13.
Police academy adds training supervisor
In a move to enhance police recruiting, Cincinnati's equal employment opportunity officer has named a training supervisor at the police academy.
Wendell Young, 54, will work to improve training procedures as well as study recruit requirements for city officers. He was named the employment and training supervisor at the Cincinnati Police Academy Thursday.
Mr. Young was Cincinnati's assistant director of personnel and equal employment opportunity officer. But he started his career as a city police officer in 1967, retiring in 1992 as a sergeant to take the assistant director's post.
He is the former president of the Sentinel Police Association. Mr. Young will report to Police Academy Commander Ted Schoch.
New trial site asked for man in 4 killings
SIDNEY, Ohio — Attorneys for a man accused of killing three teen-age girls and a Bible teacher have asked that his trial be moved because of pretrial coverage.
The motion on behalf of Lawrence Michael Hensley was among 23 that attorneys filed in the case this week in Shelby County Common Pleas Court.
Mr. Hensley, 30, of Sidney, is accused of killing neighbor Sherry Kimbler, 16; her cousin Tosha Barrett, 16; and their friend Amy Mikesell, 14, at his home July 8. Authorities say Mr. Hensley then drove to the home of Bible study teacher Brett Wildermuth, 37, and fatally shot him.
Five days later, authorities say, Mr. Hensley wounded a motorist, fired a shot at the home of another Bible study teacher and took three hostages at a Sidney filling station before surrendering.
Mr. Hensley, who has pleaded innocent, could face the death penalty if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin in April.
Defense attorneys cited “saturated” media coverage of the crimes in Shelby County and the effect of the offenses on the community.
Gas line rupture puts school on alert
FAIRFIELD — A backhoe hit a natural gas line in the 400 block of Nilles Road, leading to the evacuation of nearby businesses. Fairfield Fire Department officials said the line was repaired Thursday afternoon.
Students at Sacred Heart School across from the construction site were brought in from the playground, said Principal Joe Nagle. Mr. Nagle said none of the 460 students became ill.
Mr. Nagle said the fire department brought monitoring equipment into the school to measure air quality and test for gas fumes. None were detected.
Court affirms mayor's takeover authority
A federal appeals court in Cincinnati on Thursday rejected a challenge to Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White's takeover last year of his city's school system.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's March 1998 ruling in favor of Mr. White and the state of Ohio.
Voters and taxpayers in the 77,000-pupil district challenged as unconstitutional the state legislation which allowed Mr. White to appoint a new school board. Before the legislation, residents of the district voted in board members.
Opponents argued that the takeover violated their constitutional right of equal protection of law, the federal Voting Rights Act and the Ohio Constitution.
U.S. District Judge George White, no relation to the mayor, ruled in favor of Mr. White and the state, leading to the appeal.
The appeals court dismissed the lawsuit's claims against the state, saying they are prohibited by the 11th Amendment, which forbids most lawsuits by citizens against the states in federal courts.
Democrat who backed Taft being punished
BROOKLYN, Ohio — Mayor John Coyne's office is packed with memories of the 52 years he has run this small Cleveland suburb and the power he once held in the local Democratic Party.
But at age 82, the spry, straight-talking mayor has lost the support of the Cuyahoga County Democrats he once controlled and is facing his toughest re-election challenge.
The county party has endorsed Mr. Coyne's opponent, Kenneth Patton, in Brooklyn's nonpartisan mayoral election on Nov. 2. Mr. Coyne is being punished for backing Republican Bob Taft's successful campaign for governor last year.
“It's basically committing a mortal sin within the Democratic Party,” said Jimmy Dimora, chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democrats.
Court backs Columbus chief in row with city
A federal appeals court in Cincinnati on Thursday reinstated Columbus Police Chief James Jackson's claim that the city government violated his free-speech right by muzzling him during a 1996 investigation of his conduct in office.
Three judges of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reversed a Columbus federal judge's dismissal of the claim and sent it back for reconsideration.
The appeals panel also ordered U.S. District Judge James Graham to reconsider the police chief's claim that Thomas W. Rice Sr., the Columbus safety director, damaged Chief Jackson's reputation in July 1997 by publishing a draft report of results of the investigation. Chief Jackson said the report contained false and defamatory statements.
The investigation began because city leaders were not satisfied with the way Chief Jackson handled an internal review of a prostitution investigation.
Non-paying parents sought in 26 counties
COLUMBUS — Sheriff's deputies fanned out across 26 counties Thursday to round up parents who have ignored court orders to pay back child support.
By late afternoon, 55 people were arrested in nine of the counties, said Jon Allen, department spokesman. Together, the 55 owed more than $783,000.
Driver indicted in "road rage' crash
A Cincinnati man was indicted Thursday on charges of causing an accident that prosecutors say resulted from “road rage.”
Shaun Mohr, 22, faces one count of aggravated vehicular assault.
Prosecutors say Mr. Mohr got into an argument with another driver along Interstate 275 on Sept. 11.
They say Mr. Mohr, who was driving a sport-utility vehicle, tailgated the car before passing it. Mr. Mohr then cut in front of the car and slammed on his brakes. The car struck the SUV from behind, causing it to flip.
A passenger in the SUV, 21-year-old Tiffany Frank, was seriously injured when she was thrown from the vehicle. The driver of the car, Kraal Wiggins, 27, of Cincinnati, was not hurt.
Riverfront plan applauded, but funding needed
Proposals for 'The Banks' as link to downtown
Schools crack down on Pokemon trading
I-71 ramp to 275 to close for weekend
Reds going to town's head
State riding brakes on remedies for Ohio 73
Alzheimer's victim believed dead in Tennessee
Anti-abortion group gives $25K to Winburn
Booth indicates he'll back property-tax rollback
More getting splattered in Ludlow mudslinging
Robber beats store owner with gun
Cincinnati's Century of Change
Internet terrific resource for students
Recommended Web sites for students
Teen finds a second home
Vester moves to Fox News
Brightman's lovely voice can't carry show
GET TO IT
Publishing revelation
Mayor's race clash among titans
Camp Springs ponders becoming city
Covington regroups after low test scores
Ex-jailer guilty of sexual battery on female inmate
Grant Co. backs off biblical posting
Maker pleads guilty in drum explosion
Man hurt as crash ends chase
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